Chromium is an essential mineral nutrient with only one known role in the human body, which is in potentiating insulin receptors Tyrosine Kisase by which it helps body regulate blood sugar levels.
What it means is that it enables Insulin hormone to change sugar, starches, and other food into the energy you need for daily activities.
Total-body chromium concentration is only about 4 to 6 mg, and it decreases with age.
There are small chromium storage pools in the testes, kidneys and spleen.
Trivalent chromium is the only oxidation state required in biological systems.
Chromium deficiency is quite common in India across all the age groups, however its deficiency causes problem primarily to:
- The elderly
- Those who do a lot of strenuous exercise
- Those who eat a lot of sugary foods
- Pregnant women
Contents
- Physiological Function of Mineral Nutrient Chromium
- Causes of Deficiency of Mineral Nutrient Chromium
- Health concerns due to Chromium deficiency
- Assessment of Chromium Mineral Status
- Supplementation of Chromium
- Best or most Bio-Available or Active form of Chromium Mineral Nutrirnts
- Dietary Sources of Chromium
Physiological Function of Mineral Nutrient Chromium
Chromium supplementation could be helpful to people with diabetes to lower blood sugar levels.
People with diabetes have higher blood glucose or sugar levels as these people either do not make enough insulin or cannot properly use the insulin that is available.
With Chromium Supplement this process in enhanced.
Causes of Deficiency of Mineral Nutrient Chromium
Chromium deficiency is caused due to consumption of processed & sugary food and decreased Intake of food rich in chromium. Another cause of Chromium deficiency is malabsorption in GI.
Health concerns due to Chromium deficiency
Low chromium minerals levels can increase blood sugar, triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), cholesterol levels, and increase the risk for a number of conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Chromium deficiency has been liked to Glucose Intolerance and Sugar Cravings as well.
Assessment of Chromium Mineral Status
Direct markers: RBC, Urine, Hair
Biomarkers: Insulin, Blood Glucose
Supplementation of Chromium
Children 2-12 years: 50-500mcg
Male adult: 200 to 1000 mcg
Female adult: 200 to 1000 mcg
Best or most Bio-Available or Active form of Chromium Mineral Nutrirnts
Bioavailable form of Chromium are Nicotinate, chloride, histidine or picolinate salts
Dietary Sources of Chromium
Whole grains, legumes, nuts, yeast, lean meat, brewer’s yeast (grown in chromium-rich soil), cheese, molasses, spices such as Black pepper, pork kidneys & other organ meat, mushroom, oatmeal, prunes and asparagus.
