Research on the Mineral Chromium
The following articles are presented as a reflection for
the use of ionic minerals chromium as a dietary supplement and nutritional supplement. You
will find more on chromium here. You can also
purchase this diet supplement below.
GENERAL CHROMIUM RESEARCH
Mazzola, V. (1986). Agricultural Research, 34(1).
A week long test of the normal diets of 32 adults in the
Washington DC area has revealed that all consumed less chromium
than the amount suggested by the Food and Nutrition Board as safe and adequate - 50 mg per
day.
For the test at the Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, 32
volunteers brought in duplicate amounts of everything they ate and drank. Then the food
was analyzed for amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Another test at the Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Laboratory showed that those who
exercise strenuously may need more chromium than others. The
nine men studied lost twice as much chromium in their urine
on days they ran 6 miles as on days they did not run.
Physical stress caused by severe injuries seems to have an effect similar to exercise. In
cooperative studies at the University of Maryland's Neurotrauma Intensive Care Unit in
Baltimore, seven severely injured patients lost abnormally high amounts of chromium in their urine. The rate of chromium
loss decreased as the patients recuperated, according to chemist Marilyn M. Polansky.
Richard A. Anderson, also a chemist, said tests at the laboratory have revealed that chromium maintains blood sugar levels and helps regulate fats and
cholesterol, even increasing high-density lipoproteins (HDL) the "good"
cholesterol.
Anderson said foods such as whole wheat breads, meat, mushrooms, and vegetables are good
sources of chromium. A varied diet containing these foods can
be expected to provide enough chromium to maintain good
health.
Wallach, S. (1985). J Am Coll Nutr, 4, 107-120.
The essentiality of chromium
(Cr) in animal and human nutrition is now well accepted. In animals, Cr
deficiency can cause a diabetic like state, impaired growth, elevated blood lipids,
increased aortic plaque formation, and decreased fertility and longevity. The ability of Cr to potentiate insulin sensitivity has considerable experimental
support. In the human, Cr deficiency has been demonstrated
unequivocally in only one clinical situation, patients on total parenteral nutrition
without added Cr. In such patients, impaired glucose
tolerance, hyperglycemia, relative insulin resistance, peripheral neuropathy, and a
metabolic encephalopathy have been noted with reversal of the clinical phenomena by Cr repletion. Many studies have been performed to determine whether Cr deficiency may be important in other clinical conditions, namely,
diabetes mellitus, pregnant and parous women, and the aged population. Available data
indicate that Cr supplementation can improve glucose
metabolism in glucose intolerant individuals and decrease the total HDL cholesterol ration
regardless of the status of glucose tolerance. However, whether Cr
supplementation has long term health benefits is unknown. Further, despite many
tantalizing observations, it is still unclear whether Cr
deficiency, latent or overt, is common in any human situation other than generalized
malnutrition and total parenteral nutrition without added Cr.
Technical uncertainties in the analysis of Cr, Cr
contamination of food by the use of stainless steel processing equipment and eating
utensils, and the lack of clinically feasible test for Cr
deficiency continue to impede progress in Cr research.
Nevertheless, there is considerably more clarity as to plasma and urine Cr levels, food and tissue Cr content,
and metabolic pathways of Cr metabolism than existed a decade
ago. It is expected that progress will accelerate, since critical questions can now be
addressed regarding the role of Cr in human nutrition.
The information contained
herein is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to
replace the advice or attention of health care professionals. Consult your physician
before beginning or making changes in your diet, supplements or exercise program, for
diagnosis and treatment of illness and injuries, and for advice regarding medications.
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