Knowledge of Chromium




Chromium is an essential trace mineral that helps the body maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and blood sugar, in addition to assisting with the synthesis of cholesterol, fats, and proteins. The body needs the hormone insulin to and chromium increases the sensitivity of tissues to the action of insulin. If you are deficient in chromium, your body will have trouble maintaining normal glucose utilization. (Chromium itself has no effect on glucose; it only works together with insulin to drive sugar from blood to tissue.)
About 90 percent of the population does not get enough chromium from food. In addition, a high-sugar diet can increase the excretion of chromium, leading to obesity and diabetes. Some experts believe widespread chromium deficiency has contributed to the surge in Type II diabetes in the United States.

Good Food Sources: Brewer’s yeast, beer, brown rice, grains, cereals, liver, legumes, peas, and molasses. (Refining and processing foods dramatically reduces chromium levels in foods.)
Signs of Deficiency: Signs of deficiency include blood sugar fluctuations and high cholesterol.

Uses of Chromium: Chromium is used to treat acne , diabetes , glaucoma , obesity , and psoriasis.
Dosage Information: The recommended level for chromium is 50 to 200 micrograms daily; the therapeutic dose is 200 micrograms daily. The more carbohydrate you eat, the more chromium you need. Take chromium with food and with vitamin C to increase absorption.

    The preferred forms are chelated tablets, such as chelated chromium picolinate, which is chromium chelated with the natural amino acid metabolite called picolinate. Picolinate allows chromium to enter the cells more efficiently. Another form, chromium polynicotinate (chromium chelated to niacin), is also effective. Chromium is often part of a high-quality multivitamin–mineral formula.

Possible Side Effects: No toxicity has been noted at doses of 50 to 300 micrograms per day. Some people develop a rash or feel light-headed when taking chromium. If taken regularly at levels of 1,000 micrograms or higher, kidney and liver damage is likely. Because chromium can affect blood sugar levels, people with diabetes should consult their physicians before taking chromium supplements and closely monitor their blood sugar levels.

Possible Interactions: Vitamin C helps increase the absorption of chromium. Refined sugars, white flour products, and lack of exercise deplete chromium levels

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