Chromium

Chromium is perhaps best known as chrome, which is the metallic form of this mineral. Chrome obviously has no nutritional value. Yet, organic chromium, the type found in food, is absorbed and utilized by the body.

Chromium is essential for the function of the blood sugar regulating system. It aids in the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream and helps drive sugar in the form of glucose into the cells so it can be utilized as fuel. Additionally, chromium is involved in the digestion and metabolism of fats and proteins..

Chromium deficiency is common in the United States. This is largely a consequence of the refinement of foods, particularly grains, a process which results in the destruction of virtually all of the naturally occurring chromium. For instance, whole grain wheat, rye, and barley are excellent sources of chromium, but when these grains are refined into flour, chromium losses may reach 95%.

Determining if an individual is chromium deficient through medical testing isn’t easy. The deficiency simply must be presumed, since the American diet is devoid of it. A study by the U.S. department of Agriculture found that the diets of 90% of Americans tested were deficient in chromium. This is certainly due to a lack of it in the diet but is also a result of the consumption of chromium depleting agents, particularly refined sugars. An additional factor is stress, which causes a loss of chromium into urine and/or stool. Physical stress may wreak more havoc on chromium stores than even mental stress. the results of one study appearing in Sports and Medicine (1987) showed that the urine of joggers completing a six mile run contained five times the normal amount of chromium.

Chromium is involved in the metabolism of fats and sugars. A lack of it results in the distorted function of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. In fact, chromium deficiency can ultimately lead to an insulin deficiency in addition to reducing insulin’s effectiveness. The result is blood sugar disturbances, elevated blood fats, high blood sugar, and, ultimately, diabetes.

Chromium is found in relatively few foods. Fruits and vegetables contain virtually none, and most processed foods are devoid of it. Top sources include brewer’s yeast, whole grains, rice polishings, eggs, and black pepper.

Which of these apply to you?

1. blood sugar disturbances

2. difficulty losing weight

3. chronic fatigue

4. intolerance to sugar or starch

5. tendency to rapidly gain weight after eating sugars and/or starches

6. cravings for sugars and/or starches

7. poor muscle tone and/or muscular weakness

8. chronic or morbid obesity

9. chronic depression and/or anxiety

10. craving for sweets, especially after meals

11. sudden loss of weight

12. episodes of shakiness

13. reversible tremors

14. Do you have a history of infertility and/or reduced sperm count?

15. Do you have high blood cholesterol levels?

16. Do you have high blood triglyceride levels?

17. Do you have elevated blood sugar and/or diabetes?

18. Do you consume refined sugar, as hidden sugar in foods or beverages, on a daily basis?

19. Do you regularly consume alcoholic beverages (4 or more drinks per week)?

20. Do you regularly consume white flour products such as white bread, buns, muffins, toast, pasta, crackers, or doughnuts?

21. On average, do you jog 2 or more miles every day?

22. Do you fall asleep after eating starchy or sugary foods?

23. Do you eat white rice on a regular basis?

24. Do ly0ou have a history of cataracts or macular degeneration?

25. Do you have a history of arterial blockage, hardening of the arteries, or coronary artery disease?

26. Are you nearsighted?

27. Do you have blurry vision?

Your Score _____

1 to 6 points Mild chromium deficiency: Increase your consumption of chromium rich foods, reduce your sugar and alcohol intake, and take 100 mcg of chromium, preferably as picolinate of GTF (i.e. glucose tolerance factor), twice daily.

7 to 13 points Moderate chromium deficiency: At this level tissue damage is likely to occur as a result of impaired sugar and/ or fat metabolism. In particular, chromium deficiency has been associated with degeneration of the arteries. Obesity is also a probable result of a moderate deficiency. Take 200 mcg of chromium two or three times daily and reduce the intake of white sugar, flour, and rice. Avoid alcoholic beverages and sugar sweetened drinks. Take 3 heaping tablespoons of rice polishings daily mixed in juice, water, or milk.

14 and above Severe chromium deficiency: Warning _ tissue damage is imminent if the chromium deficiency remains unresolved. Hypoglycemia, diabetes, morbid obesity, cataracts, depression/anxiety, cancer and/or heart disease all are likely to result. eliminate dietary sources of refined sugar and curtail the intake of alcoholic beverages. Foods containing white flour or rice should be also eliminated from the diet. Take 250 mcg of chromium three or four times daily. In addition, consume 3 heaping tablespoons of rice polishings morning and night mixed in water, milk, or juice. Add rice polishings to the diet whenever possible as an additive to cereals and/or recipes. Try a Chromium Shake recipe.