Chromium

Requirements:

• RDA:
  
  50 - 200 mcg. for males and females over 11 years
• Daily Optimal Intake:
  
  200 mcg. for males and females 11 - 18 years
  300 mcg. for males and females over 19 years

Supplement Forms:

• Brewer's yeast: 1 Tbl./day
• Chromium picolinate
• Chromium polynicotinate

Food Sources:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Brewer's yeast
• Calf liver
• Carrots
• Chicken
• Cheeses
• Cornmeal
• Oysters
• Peppers, green
• Potato with skin
• Seafood
• Whole grain bread
• Whole grain rye bread

Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency:

• Approximately 90% of US population may be chromium deficient from low intake
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Impaired glucose tolerance
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Weight loss

Causes of Deficiency:

• Demineralization of farming soil
• Elderly
• High intakes of refined carbohydrates
• People who exercise regularly
• Pregnant women
• Processed foods

Adverse Reactions and Toxicity:

• High doses may cause decreased sleep time and increased dream activity
• Little known toxicity

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• 200 mcg. of chromium is synergistic with niacin (less than 750 mg.) to lower blood cholesterol

Biochemical Functions:

• Increases the number of insulin receptors
• May help regulate lipoprotein metabolism
• Required for normal insulin sensitivity

Clinical Indications:

• Atherosclerosis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Obesity
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Hyperglycemia
• Hypoglycemia

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).