Chromium DESCRIPTION: Chromium is required for the essential processes of glucose metabolism, the control of blood fat levels and gene expression. Chromium is present in all organic matter and appears to be an essential nutrient. The trivalent form is the most biologically active. Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF) which is chromium complexed with nicotinic acid, cysteine and glycine can be synthesized in the body. Chromium plays a vital role in the activities of several enzymes. FUNCTIONS Chromium functions in an organic complex that potentiates the action of insulin. The name of this organic complex is "glucose tolerance factor". Refined food products have a low chromium content. DEFICIENCY Chromium depletion has been implicated in high blood cholesterol levels and in poor glucose tolerance. REQUIREMENTS Upper safe level for daily supplementation = 200µg There is no EC Recommended Daily Allowance for chromium. However, a safe and adequate level is believed to lie above 25 µg per day. Back to Top   SUPPLEMENTAL USES Therapy with chromium has been successful in people suffering from glucose tolerance problems (i.e. in those tending towards diabetes) (1). Chromium has also been shown to help lower total cholesterol levels and increase beneficial HDL cholesterol. Finally, new research indicates that chromium may be able to help increase lean muscle mass (1) in athletes. Back to Top   SAFETY No adverse effects have been noted with the biologically active cationic trivalent (Cr(III)) form of chromium used in supplements and found in food. Back to Top   INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS Chromium should be taken only under medical supervision by insulin-dependent diabetics. This is because chromium may reduce the body’s need for insulin. Back to Top   FOOD SOURCES Food (µg/100g) Egg yolk 183 Molasses 121 Brewer’s yeast 117 Beef 57 Cheese 56 Grape juice 47 Bread, wholemeal 42 Wheat bran 38 Raw sugar 35 Honey 29 Potatoes, old 27 Wheatgerm 23 Chicken leg 18 Spaghetti 15 Spinach 10 Bananas 10 Haddock 7 Milk, skimmed 2 No one food group is particularly high in chromium - most foods contain at least some of this mineral. REFERENCES: 1. Anderson RA. Chromium as an essential nutrient for humans. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 26;1 Pt 2:S35-41, 1997 Back to Top