Chromium

What is it?

Chromium is a trace mineral, its functions include insulin regulation and blood sugar control and cholesterol regulation.

Table of Contents

Function	How it helps
Blood sugar regulation	It helps to increase the sensitivity of cell receptors to insulin, increasing the efficiency of blood glucose metabolism.
Cardiovascular health.	Reduces levels of cholesterol and triglycerides benefitting those at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Weight control	Chromium supplementation can increase the rate of fat loss where obese individuals suffer from Syndrome X, insulin resistance.
Sports nutrition	As well as its influence on transporting sugar into cells, insulin also facilitates the entry of amino acids into muscle cells, increasing the rate of lean muscle gain and fat loss.
Skin health	Although evidence is limited, chromium supplementation may improve acne in many patients, presumably by helping normalise the glucose tolerance in skin cells.
Anti-ageing	Blood sugar that is not efficiently metabolised can lead to glycosylation. Glycosylation is the process whereby sugars attach to proteins (such as collagen) and damage their structure. There is evidence that glycosylation can significantly damage cells and essential bodily compounds, while accelerating the ageing of body tissues and organs. Chromium has been shown to reduce glycosylation by facilitating blood glucose metabolism,

What is it used for?
Blood sugar control	Non-insulin dependent diabetes	Slowing the ageing process
Borderline diabetes	Cravings for sugar and refined carbohydrates	Acne
Weight control	High triglycerides	High cholesterol

Deficiency Symptoms
Insulin resistance	Poor glucose tolerance	High blood sugar
Non-insulin dependant diabetes	Hypoglycaemia	High triglycerides
High cholesterol	Cardiovascular disease	Fatigue

100-500ug per day

Chromium should only be supplemented in the trivalent form.

Insulin dependent diabetics should not take chromium supplements unless on the advice and under the strict monitoring of a doctor, as the chromium may increase the drug’s effect and lead to dangerous drops in blood sugar.
Non-insulin dependent diabetics taking diabetic medication other than insulin should only take chromium supplements on the advice and under the strict monitoring of a doctor.
Non-medicated, non-insulin dependent diabetics patients should only take chromium supplements on the advice and under the monitoring of a doctor.
Individuals with hypoglycaemia should only use chromium supplements on the advice and under the monitoring of a qualified healthcare practitioner. Some hypoglycaemics will experience severe drops in blood sugar as a result of chromium supplementation.
Yeast-derived chromium supplements should not be used by patients taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors unless on the advice and strict monitoring of a doctor. Yeast-free chromium supplements can be used as an alternative. It has been reported that if taken in the evening, chromium may lead to more vivid and colourful dreams and a reduced need for sleep.

Factors which deplete levels, impair absorption and/or inhibit activity:
Refined carbohydrates	Phytates in cereal grains	Calcium carbonate containing medications and supplements
Sugar	White flour	Antacids
Lack of exercise