MINERALS: Chromium

Functions of Chromium
Deficiency of Chromium
Recommended dietary allowance for Chromium
Food sources of Chromium
Toxicity of Chromium
References

Chromium

Functions of Chromium

Works with insulin in the metabolism of sugar and stabilizes blood sugar levels.
Cleans the arteries by reducing Cholesterol & Triglyceride levels.
Helps transport amino acids to where the body needs them.
Helps control the appetite.
Medical research has shown that persons with low levels of Chromium in their bodies are more susceptible to having cancer and heart problems and becoming diabetic

Deficiency of Chromium

Glucose intolerance in diabetics; arteriosclerosis, heart disease, depressed growth, obesity, tiredness.

Recommended dietary allowance for Chromium

Food sources of Chromium

Egg yolks, Molasses, Brewer's yeast, Beef, Hard Cheese, Liver, Fruit Juices, Whole Wheat bread.

Toxicity of Chromium

Toxic effects are limited primarily to industrial exposure to hexavalent chromium, which is much more toxic than the trivalent form. The acidity of the stomach promotes reduction of hexavalent chromium to the trivalent form. Most of the chromium absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract is trivalent.

References

Anderson, R. A., Cheng, N., Bryden, N. A., Polansky, M. M., Cheng, N., Chi, J. & Feng, J. (1997) Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes 46: 1786-1791.
Davis, C. M. & Vincent, J. (1997) Chromium oligopeptide activates insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Biochem. 36: 4382-4385.
Stoecker, B. J. (1996) Chromium. In: Present Knowledge in Nutrition (Ziegler, E. E. & Filer, L. J., Jr., eds.), 7th ed., pp. 344-352. International Life Sciences Institute Press, Washington, DC.