Nutrition Tips~ Using Chromium

QUIZ ANSWERS

1. C
2. A
3. B
4. D

Test Your Knowledge

1. It is recommended that a 65 year old woman get ______mcg of chromium per day.
A. 15-25
B. 40-50
C. 20-30
D. 65-75

2. What's the best form of chromium to be taken as a supplement?
A. Chromium Picolinate
B. Chromium Oil
C. Chromium Cr6+
D. Chromium Palinate

3. What does chromium help regulate in the body?
A. Cholesterol
B. Blood sugar
C. Blood Pressure
D. Serotonin

4. Which form of chromium is found in foods?
A. Chromium Picolinate
B. Chromium Cr6+
C. Chromium Divalent
D. Chromium Trivalent

Diseases and Deficiencies

On Average the American diet is chromium deficient, only 1 out of 10 Americans get enough chromium in their diet. There are many different reasons that this could happen, just to name a few: the form that chromium is in the foods we eat, is not easily absorbed, people are not consuming enough foods rich in chromium, the contents of chromium is easily destroyed while cooking or preparing the different foods, also the foods that contain chromium are not usually eaten in huge amounts in the American Diet. Another reason for deficiency is high amounts of sugar in your diet can cause a loss of chromium in the body. This can lead to problems with stabilization of blood sugar levels. Having a lack of chromium in our soil is also a cause for the foods that we are eating to not have a very high chromium content. Having a deficiency can lead to anxiety, fatigue and glucose intolerance (especially people with diabetes), inadequate amino acid metabolism will occur as well.
An excessive amount of chromium can lead to toxicity symptoms which are dermatitis, GI ulcers ,kidney and liver impairment. As stated before in earlier blog posts, the best way to consume chromium is through supplementation. Chromium Picolinate is the best form for supplementation is it readily absorbed by the body and will help insulin be more efficient in its job with getting glucose into the cells to be used for energy.

* Balch,Phyllis Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition 2000; 27

Biochemical Reaction of Chromium

chromium helps with glucose metabolism by enhancing the effects of insulin. Through research it has been suggested that a low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr) may enhance the response of the insulin receptor to insulin. The first step involves the conversion of the inactive form of the insulin receptor into the active form by binding insulin. This will stimulate chromium into the cell and it'll bind to the peptide, apoLMWCr, a form of the LMWCr, which lacks chromium. LMWCr will then bind to the insulin receptor and enhances its tyrosine kinase activity. For LMWCr to activate the insulin receptor dependents on its chromium content. If insulin levels drop the LMWCr will be released from the cell to terminate its effects.

Jane Higdon, Ph.D. Chromium. 2003. Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University.

Metabolic Functions:

Chromium is an essential trace element used in the body by the glucose tolerance factor that was mentioned earlier. Chromium that comes from brewer's yeast is more beneficial to the body than the inorganic form of chromium. It is thought to increase the number of receptors for insulin, therefore making them more open to sugars and free fatty-acids. Chromium seems to be helpful with people who have diabetes or even hypoglycemia. Chromium also helps with the regulation of cholesterol levels. Chromium is really helpful when blood sugars are very high, high meaning that they are so high that the body has to begun to break down proteins because the body cannot use insulin to transport glucose into the cells as needed. Different studies have shown that chromium has helped in insulin resistance and high blood sugar caused by stress. The dosage for people with diabetes vs. people without diabetes is very different, people with diabetes need a significant amount more than people without.
Other than just regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels, Chromium also plays a part in the energy for muscular contraction via the glucose in the cells with the help of insulin getting it there. There are some elements a nutrition related things that will block the absorption of Chromium: iron, manganese, zinc, vanadium, phytates.
The key is to take chromium the right way so you get the total benefit from the mineral! Make sure that you are getting enough Niacin (it is a co-factor for chromium). They work together to make chromium better absorbed and used in the body!



Rister, Robert S. (2003) Healing Without Medication Basic Health Publications Laguna Beach, CA

Dietary Sources & Recommended Intakes

The trivalent form (Cr3+) of chromium is found in many different foods including whole grains, broccoli, Brewer's yeast, mushrooms, cheese, beer, wine, and even chocolate chip cookies. When foods are refined or processed the level of chromium in the food is diminished. For instance, processed white sugar has less chromium than molasses or brown sugar.

The adequate intake (AI) recommended for chromium for adults up to age 50 ranges from 25-35mcg/day. After age 50 the AIs are reduced to 20-30mcg/day. It is recommended that pregnant or lactating women get 30-45mcg/day.

Groff J., Gropper S., and Smith J. (2005). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism.(4th Edition). Belmont, Ca: Wadsworth.

What is Chromium??

A little background information on Chromium: Cr6+
It is a metal that is found in the air, water and soil.
It exists in several oxidation states, Cr3+ is the most stable, which is the form thought to be the most important for humans to consume. Cr6+ form is thought to be toxic to humans it results from environmental pollution.
Chromium helps with the function on insulin, the hormone that plays a big role in the metabolism of glucose getting into the cells and storage carbohydrates, fat and protein in the body. Chromium is known for its role in the Glucose Tolerance Factor (helps glucose uptake in the cells and also keeps glucose and insulin efficient.

Rister, Robert S. (2003) Healing Without Medication Basic Health Publications Laguna Beach, CA

Introduction - Nicole G.

Welcome to our blog about Chromium! In this blog I will cover the dietary requirements and sources of Chromium. I will also include information about dietary deficiencies and any known disorders or diseases. And finally, I will discuss one biochemical reaction that Chromium is involved .

I hope you enjoy learning about Chromium!

Introduction- Colleen M.

Hello All! Welcome to our blog about Chromium!
In my portion of the blog I will give you general background information, molecular formula and structure as well as metabolic functions.
Welcome to our blog! I hope you enjoy!