Chromium

 

 

Chromium
What is chromium?

This essential mineral, required by the body in trace amounts, was first discovered in 1797 by a chemist in France named Louis- Nicolas Vaquelin. Many years later, a physician and research scientist in the U.S. named Walter Mertz, discovered that chromium played a key role in carbohydrate metabolism, possibly by participating in formation of a special compound which he named "glucose tolerance factor," or GTF.

glucose tolerance factor include

Ø  chromium (which may be the most active
component).

Ø   nicotinic acid (a version of vitamin B3).

Ø  amino acids that make up glutathione (glutamic acid,
cysteine, and glycine).

 

What Chromium Does:

Ø   Aids in the control and production of insulin

Ø   Aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins

Ø   Chromium picolinate increases fat loss and lean muscle tissue gain

Ø   Controls levels of cholesterol in the blood

Ø   Improves glucose tolerance in people with turner’s syndrome

Ø   Increases general resistance to infection

Ø   Needed for energy

Ø   Regulator of blood sugar

Ø   Stimulates the synthesis of proteins in the body

Ø   Suppresses hunger pains

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can high-chromium foods do for you?

•    Help maintain normal blood sugar and insulin levels

•    Support normal cholesterol levels

 

What is the function of chromium?

1-Controlling blood sugar levels

 

Ø   As the active component of glucose tolerance factor(GTF), chromium plays a fundamental role in controlling blood sugar levels. The primary function of GTF is to increase the action of insulin. Insulin is the hormone responsible for carrying sugar (glucose) into the cells where it can be used for energy.

Ø    After a meal, blood glucose levels begin to rise, and, in response, the pancreas secretes insulin. Insulin lowers blood glucose levels by increasing the rate in which glucose enters the cells. To accomplish this, insulin must be able to attach to receptors on the surface of cells. GTF is believed to initiate the attachement of insullin to the insulin receptor.

 

2-Metabolizing cholesterol & nucleic acid

 

Ø       Chromium may also participate in cholesterol metabolism, suggesting a role for this mineral in maintaining normal blood cholesterol levels. In addition, chromium is involved in nucleic acid metabolism. Nucleic acids are the building blocks of DNA, the genetic material found in every cell.

 supplemental Cr as Cr picolinate improved the blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol,  hemoglobin A1C in people with Type 2 DM

 

Absorption occurs passively and possibly actively in the small intestine.

Since only 0.5-3% are absorbed, accompanying food components are highly significant:

Aminoacids, ascorbate, and oxalate enhance absorption;

Phytate and zinc are said to impair chromium uptake.

 

In the blood chromium is bound to transferrin; when transferrin is saturated with Fe, chromium can bind to other proteins nonspecifically.

 

 excretion is predominantly renal; controlled reabsorption may occur.

 

What health conditions require special emphasis on chromium?

Ø Acne

Ø Glaucoma

Ø High cholesterol levels

Ø High triglyceride levels

Ø Hypoglycemia

Ø Obesity

Ø Psoriasis

Ø Type 2 diabetes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signs of Chromium Deficiency:

 

Anxiety	Aortic cholesterol plaque
Attention deficit disorder	Bipolar disease
Coronary blood vessel disease	Decreased sperm count
Depression	Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde rages
Elevated blood cholesterol	Elevated blood triglycerides
Fatigue	Glucose intolerance (particularly in people with diabetes)
Hyperactivity	Hyper-insulinemia
Hyper-irritability	Hypoglycemia
Impaired growth	Inadequate metabolism of amino acids
Increased risk of arteriosclerosis	Infertility
Learning disabilities	Negative nitrogen balance
Obesity	Peripheral neuropathy
Pre-diabetes and diabetes

 

 

 

 

 

Using Food Combining to Enhance Chromium Benefits

Ø  Vitamin C and Niacin are two powerhouses when it comes to chromium enhancement.

Foods high in Vitamin C power include: fruit juices, fruits & vegetables.

Foods high in Niacin power include: meats including poultry & fish, and whole grains. Checking food labels can assist greatly in the Vitamin C/Niacin search.

 

What are deficiency symptoms for chromium?

Ø Chromium deficiency leads to insulin resistance, a condition in which the cells of the body do not respond to the presence of insulin. Insulin resistance can lead to elevated blood levels of insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and elevated blood levels of glucose, which can ultimately cause heart disease and/or diabetes.

What are deficiency symptoms for chromium?

Ø In fact, even mild dietary deficiency of chromium is associated with a medical condition known as Syndrome X. Syndrome X represents a constellation of symptoms, including hyperinsulinemia, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, high blood sugar levels, and low HDL cholesterol levels, that increase one's risk for heart disease.

 

factors  might contribute to a deficiency of chromium?

Ø  If you have diabetes or heart disease, the amount of chromium your body needs may be increased. You may also need extra chromium if you experience physical injury or trauma or mental stress. All of these conditions increase the excretion of chromium. But in addition, in the case of stress, the need for increased chromium may relate directly to blood sugar imbalance.

 

What events can indicate a need for more high-chromium foods?

•    Hyperinsulinemia (elevated blood levels of insulin)

•    High blood pressure

•    High triglyceride levels

•    High blood sugar levels

•    High cholesterol levels

•    Insulin resistance

•    Low HDL cholesterol

 

What are toxicity symptoms for chromium?

 

In 2001, the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences conducted a thorough review of the chromium research and concluded that excessive intake of chromium from foods or supplements is not associated with any adverse effects. As a result, no Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) was established for this mineral. However, the Institute of Medicine noted that people with liver or kidney disease may be more susceptible to adverse effects from excessive intake of chromium, and cautioned such individuals to avoid taking chromium supplements in higher than recommended amounts.

 

GTF is supposed to enhance the effects of insulin

In the target cells and thereby enhance glucose uptake.

It was also hypothesized that Cr has direct influence on the pancreas.

The mechanism of action

Ø  The mechanism of action of Cr involves increased insulin binding, increased insulin receptor number, and increased insulin receptor phosphorylation

 

Drug-Nutrient Interactions
What medications affect chromium?

Ø  Chromium supplementation can cause blood sugar levels to drop. If you are taking insulin or an oral glucose-lowering medication (for example, Diabeta or Micronase), be sure to consult your physician before taking chromium supplements, as you may need to decrease your current dose of medication to prevent your blood sugar levels from decreasing too much.

Ø  Calcium carbonate, found in calcium supplements and antacids, decreases the absorption of chromium, while aspirin is believed to increase chromium absorption.

 

 

Chromium supplements may interact with medications by increase or decrease absorption

    

Medication	Nature of interaction
Antacids Corticosteroids H2 Blockers (such as cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, and rantidine) Proton-Pump Inhibitors (such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole)	Antacids, Corticosteroids, H2 Blockers and Proton-Pump Inhibitors alter stomach acidity and may impair chromium absorption and/or enhance excretion
Beta-Blockers (such as atenolol or propanolol) Corticosteroids Insulin Nicotinic Acid Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) Prostaglandin Inhibitors (such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, piroxicam, and aspirin)	Beta-blockers, Corticosteroids, Insulin, Nicotinic Acid, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Prostaglandin Inhibitors may produce enhanced effects when taken with chromium and/or increase chromium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nutrient Interactions
How do other nutrients interact with chromium?

Ø  Diets high in simple sugars increase the urinary excretion of chromium and rob the body of some of the chromium it needs. Diets rich in whole grains can also decrease absorption of chromium, since whole grains contain a compound called phytic acid, which can bind to chromium, form an insoluble complex, and prevent it from being absorbed.

Ø  Whole grains, however, contain significant amounts of chromium, and the activity of phytic acid in grains does not prevent us from getting chromium from whole grain foods. As a result, a diet rich in whole grains is still unlikely to increase our risk of chromium deficiency.

Ø  Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) increases the absorption of chromium.

 

What foods provide chromium?

Ø   The amount of chromium in most foods is minimal - less than 2 mcg's (micrograms) per serving.

Ø   Good sources of chromium include meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and some spices.

Ø  lettuce as an excellent source of chromium and onions and tomatoes as very good sources, the following foods are also believed to provide a significant amount of chromium: brewer's yeast, oysters, liver, whole grains, bran cereals, and potatoes. Beer and wine can accumulate chromium during fermentation.

Ø   Foods containing simple sugars such as fructose and sucrose tend to be low in chromium.

Ø  food processing methods often remove the naturally occurring chromium. As a result, obtaining a sufficient amount of chromium in the diet can be difficult.

Best Food Sources Containing Chromium

 

Chromium (mcg	Foods High in Chromium
3	Potatoes, mashed, 1 cup
3	Garlic, dried, 1 teaspoon
4	English Muffin, whole
8	Grape Juice, 1 cup
11	Broccoli, ½ cup

 

Food Sources of Chromium:

Beef	Beer (some brands)	Black strap molasses
Brewer’s yeast	Brown rice	Calves’ liver
Cereals	Cheese	Chicken breast
Chicken legs	Corn and corn oil
Dairy products	Dried beans	Dulse
Eggs	Fish and seafood	Fresh fruit
Fresh vegetables	Meat	Mushrooms
Potatoes with skin	Whole grains and bread

 

 

 

 

Herb Sources of Chromium:

Catnip	Horsetail	Licorice
Nettle	Oat straw	Red clover
Sarsaparilla	Wild yam	Yarrow

 

 

Pharmaceutial forms

Ø EVE tab. ( chromium 25mcg)  
prenatal tab

Ø chromax cap (100mcg)

 

Recommended Chromium Daily Intake

 Chromium supplement doses generally range from 50 mcg to 200 mcg per day.

Ø   Males - Daily Recommended Chromium Intake:

Ø   Males age 19-50 require 35 mcg of chromium per day.

Ø   Males over 50 require 30 mcg of chromium per day.

Ø   Females - Daily Recommended Chromium Intake:

Ø   Females age 19-50 require 25 mcg of chromium per day.

Ø   Females over 50 require 20 mcg of chromium per day.

 

 people with more overt impairments in glucose tolerance and diabetes usually require more than 200 µg/day. Daily intake of 8 µg of Cr per kg body weight was also more effective than 4 µg/kg in women with gestational diabetes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Adequate Intake (AI) levels for chromium, set in 2001 by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences are as follows:

 

0-6 months: .2 micrograms	7-12 months: 5.5 micrograms	1-3 years: 11 micrograms
4-8 years: 15 micrograms	Boys 9-13 years: 25 micrograms	Girls 9-13 years: 21 micrograms
Boys 14-18 years: 35 micrograms	Girls 14-18 years: 24 micrograms	Men 19-30 years: 35 micrograms
Women 19-30 years: 25 micrograms	Men 31-50 years: 35 micrograms	Women 31-50 years: 25 micrograms
Men 51-70 years: 30 micrograms	Women 51-70 years: 20 micrograms	Men greater than 70 years: 30 micrograms
Women greater than 70 years: 20 micrograms	Pregnant women 14-18 years: 29 micrograms	Pregnant women 19-50 years: 30 micrograms
Lactating women 14-18 years: 44 micrograms	Lactating women 19-50 years: 45 micrograms

 

 

 

 

Impact of Cooking, Storage and Processing
How do cooking, storage, or processing affect chromium?

Ø  Under most circumstances, food processing methods decrease the chromium content of foods. For example, chromium naturally occurs in the bran and germ of whole grains. When whole grains are milled to make flour, the germ and bran are removed, and consequently most of the chromium is lost. Also, the refinement of sugar cane and sugar beets to make sugar (sucrose) removes most of the chromium that naturally occurs in the plants.

Ø  On the other hand, acidic foods cooked in stainless steel cookware can accumulate chromium by leaching the mineral from the cookware.

 

The admi. Of supplementary chromium 150 mcg daily for 2 months resulted in the normalization of impaired glucose tolerance in four of eight nondiabetic subjects and some benefit in most of the others ( J.Am.med.Ass.,1968,206,36. criticisms of the use of chromium trichloride in diabetes)

 

Chromium Loss Within the Body, Including Chromium Deficiency

Ø  It's important to note that chromium deficiencies in humans are rare. However, the following conditions can create a situation in which chromium is secreted or lost from the body: pregnancy, physical trauma, extreme stress, a diet high in simple sugars, excessive exercise, and infection.

Ø  A chromium deficiency is difficult to diagnose because medical tests involving blood, urine and hair levels are not reflective of the amount of chromium that may be currently stored within the body.

 

Monitoring excessive human exposure

Ø  Overexposure to chromium can occur in welders and other workers in the metallurgical industry, persons taking chromium-containing dietary supplements, patients who have received metallic surgical implants and individuals who accidentally or intentionally ingest chromium salts. Chromium concentrations in whole blood, plasma, serum or urine may be measured to monitor for safety in exposed workers, to confirm the diagnosis in potential poisoning victims or to assist in the forensic investigation in a case of fatal overdosage

chromium Picolinate

Ø  Studies suggest that the biochemical, physiological, and behavioral actions of chromium picolinate may be a consequence of the effects of picolinic acid on the central nervous system. Analogues of picolinic acid have been shown to induce profound alterations in the metabolism of serotonin, dopamine, and norepnephrine in brain. Thus, caution should be used with chromium picolinate supplements especially by individuals prone to behavioral disorders.

 

There are several forms of chromium available in dietary supplements? :

•     Chromium picolinate

•      Chromium polynicotinate

•     Chromium chloride

•     Chromium-enriched yeast

 

What is Chromium Picolinate

Ø  Chromium picolinate is a combination of the trace

Ø  mineral chromium and picolinate acid.

Ø  • Chromium is a naturally-occurring trace mineral

Ø  found in common foods such as brewers yeast,

Ø  baked beans, whole grains, etc.

Ø  • Picolinate acid simply aids in the absorption ofchromium.

 

How does Chromium Picolinate work

It is speculated that chromium picolinate works by stimulating the activity of insulin.

Ø     Insulin helps to transport glucose to the body’s cells in order to provide energy.

Ø     The exact mechanisms by which chromium improves insulin efficiency is unclear.

 

 

 

 

 

Caution & Comments About Chromium

Ø  Chromium is bound up into indigestible forms when it meets up the phosphates in milk

Ø  Chromium is sometimes called glucose tolerance factor or gtf

Ø  High levels of sugars in the diet cause chromium to be excreted through the kidneys

Ø  If you develop a rash, either try switching brands or discontinue use

Ø  If you feel lightheaded, stop taking the supplement and consult your health care provider.

Ø  If you have diabetes, do not take supplemental chromium (especially chromium picolinate) without first consulting with a qualified health care provider.

 

Ø  Incidence of diabetes and heart disease decreases with increased levels of chromium in the body

Ø  Some people experience lightheadedness or a slight skin rash when taking chromium.

Ø  There is no evidence that chromium is toxic, even in high doses, since any excess is excreted.  However, it is suggested that you do not take more than 200 mcg daily unless supervised by a registered practitioner.

Ø  Vitamin C increases the absorption of chromium

Ø  White flour and white sugar steals chromium by stepping up insulin production, which in turn flushes out chromium.

 

Chromium & Diabetes

Ø In Type 2 Diabetes, when a chromium deficiency is involved, the body's ability to utilize glucose to meet energy needs is impaired.

 

 

 

 

 

Chromium & Blood Lipid Levels

Ø Although the effects of chromium supplements remain inconclusive, some studies involving 150 mcg to 1,000 mcg of daily chromium supplementation resulted in a decrease in LDL cholesterol (commonly referred to as bad cholesterol), with increases in HDL (good) cholesterol levels

 

Chromium & Weight Loss

Ø Claims exist that chromium can reduce fat in the body while increasing lean muscle mass.

 

Precautions

Ø   Because of the specific transport mechanisms, only limited amounts of chromium(III) enter the cells. Several in vitro studies indicated that high concentrations of chromium(III) in the cell can lead to DNA damage. Acute oral toxicity ranges between 1500 and 3300 µg/kg. The proposed beneficial effects of chromium(III) and the use as dietary supplements yielded some controversial results, but recent reviews suggest that moderate uptake of chromium(III) through dietary supplements poses no risk.

 

Claims

Chromium Picolinate will:

Ø    “Reduce body fat”

Ø    “Retain and build lean muscle”

Ø    “Reduce cholesterol levels”

Ø    “Helps control hunger”

Ø    “Melt fat away”

 

 

 

 

 

In Summary

Ø  Although there is no doubt that the mineral chromium is vital to the overall health of the body, much controversy remains as to the validity surrounding chromium supplements and the degree of their healthy benefits to the human body.

Ø  The best source for chromium remains in the consumption of foods high in chromium such as broccoli and grape juice.

Ø  In general, women tend to consume ample levels of chromium in their daily diet while men consume below-minimum levels in their daily diet. Given such, by opting for foods rich in the mineral chromium, men may achieve health benefits

 

 

Referances

Ø Pizzorno: Textbook of Natural Medicine, 2nd ed., pg 1436

Ø Mertz W. Chromium in human nutritiona: a review. J Nutr 1993; 123: 626–633

Ø Brody_ Nutritional Biochemistry