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Chromium
DESCRIPTION
Chromium is required for
the essential processes of glucose metabolism, the control
of blood fat levels and gene expression.
Chromium is present in all
organic matter and appears to be an essential nutrient. The
trivalent form is the most biologically active. Glucose Tolerance
Factor (GTF) which is chromium complexed with nicotinic acid,
cysteine and glycine can be synthesized in the body. Chromium
plays a vital role in the activities of several enzymes.
FUNCTIONS
Chromium functions in an
organic complex that potentiates the action of insulin. The
name of this organic complex is "glucose tolerance factor".
Refined food products have a low chromium content.
DEFICIENCY
Chromium depletion has been
implicated in high blood cholesterol levels and in poor glucose
tolerance.
REQUIREMENTS
Upper safe level for daily
supplementation = 200µg
There is no EC Recommended
Daily Allowance for chromium. However, a safe and adequate
level is believed to lie above 25 µg per day.
SUPPLEMENTAL USES
Therapy with chromium has
been successful in people suffering from glucose tolerance
problems (i.e. in those tending towards diabetes) (1).
Chromium has also been shown
to help lower total cholesterol levels and increase beneficial
HDL cholesterol. Finally, new research indicates that chromium
may be able to help increase lean muscle mass (1) in athletes.
SAFETY
No adverse effects have
been noted with the biologically active cationic trivalent
(Cr(III)) form of chromium used in supplements and found in
food.
INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Chromium should be taken
only under medical supervision by insulin-dependent diabetics.
This is because chromium may reduce the body’s need
for insulin.
FOOD SOURCES
Food (µg/100g)
Egg yolk 183
Molasses 121
Brewer’s yeast 117
Beef 57
Cheese 56
Grape juice 47
Bread, wholemeal 42
Wheat bran 38
Raw sugar 35
Honey 29
Potatoes, old 27
Wheatgerm 23
Chicken leg 18
Spaghetti 15
Spinach 10
Bananas 10
Haddock 7
Milk, skimmed 2
No one food group is particularly
high in chromium - most foods contain at least some of this
mineral.
REFERENCES
1. Anderson RA. Chromium
as an essential nutrient for humans. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol,
26;1 Pt 2:S35-41, 1997
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