Chromium in the Diet
Alternate Names : Chromium Picolinate, Chromium Polynicotinate, Chromium Chloride
What food source is the nutrient found in?
Good sources of chromium include:
whole grains
lean meats
liver
eggs
cheese
brewer's yeast
The process of refining removes
chromium from grains. As a result, foods like white flour and white
rice are low in chromium. Most Americans get only 50 to 100
micrograms (mcg) of chromium per day through diet.
How does the nutrient affect the body?
Chromium combines with niacin to form Glucose Tolerance
Factor, also known as GTF. GTF works with insulin to help the body use
glucose. Insulin is the hormone that takes glucose from blood and puts it
into cells where it is used for energy. Chromium helps reduce the amount of
insulin needed to maintain blood sugar. Some studies report that people who have
diabetes better blood
can get better glucose control by taking chromium supplements.
Getting the
right amount of chromium each day may also help protect against
heart attacks in people that are at high risk, such as those who have diabetes.
Chromium seems to improve levels of blood fats such as cholesterol.
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