Chromium

Chromium (CR) is a trace mineral that was discovered in the 1950s to be important to our health. It is a regulator of blood sugar levels and has been used to treat diabetes.

What are the functions of chromium?

Chromium functions include:

the glucose tolerance factor which stimulates insulin activity,
controls the uptake of glucose by the muscles and organs ,
stimulates glucose metabolism,
controls blood cholesterol levels,
controls fat levels in the blood,
reduces atherosclerosis,
stimulates the synthesis of proteins,
increases resistance to infection and
suppresses hunger pains.

What are the symptoms and signs of a chromium deficiency?

These include:

diabetes (particularly the adult onset type),
hypoglycemia,
fatigue,
mood swings,
depressed sperm formation,
loss of sugar in the urine,
high blood cholesterol, and
atherosclerosis.

Food sources of chromium

The following foods are good sources of chromium: liver, whole grain cereals, meat, cheese, brewer's yeast, molasses, mushrooms and egg yolk.

Therapeutic uses of chromium

Chromium is used in the treatment of:

high cholesterol levels,
diabetes,
heart disease,
depression and anxiety, and
premenstrual syndrome related symptoms.

Dosage

About 100 to 200mcg is considered to be sufficient for most people.

Special notes

Toxicity is rare as less than 10% of the chromium taken into the body is actually absorbed.

Some people experience troubling dreams when taking chromium supplements.

People who experience mood swings associated with drops in their blood sugar levels may benefit from chromium.

Dieters may benefit from chromium as it will assist in the control of the appetite.

References

Bland, J. 1996, Contemporary Nutrition. J & B Associates.

Davies, S. and A. Stewart., 1997, Nutritional Medicine. Pan.

Holden, S., Hudson, K., Tilman, J. & D. Wolf, 2003, The Ultimate Guide to Health from Nature. Asrolog Publication.

Pressman, A. and S. Buff, 2000, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. (2nd Ed.) Alpha Books.

Soothill, R. 1996, The Choice Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. A Choice Book Publication.

Sullivan, K. 2002, Vitamins and Minerals: A Practical Approach to a Health Diet and Safe Supplementation. Harper Collins.