Chromium was long thought to be a poisonous mineral till it was discovered in the 20th century to be the vital part of Glucose Tolerance Element. Since of the low absorption and high excretion rates of chromium, toxicity is not common in humans, particularly with the usual kinds of chromium used for supplementation. The amount of chromium that would cause toxicity is estimated to be far more than the amount typically provided in supplements.
Chromium Deficiency
Chromium shortage is another story, however, with an approximated 20-50% of the U.S. population being deficient in chromium. The United States has a greater incidence of shortage than other nation, since of very low soil levels of chromium and the loss of this mineral from fine-tuned foods, particularly sugar and flours. Even though chromium is needed in such percentages, it is tough to get. Given these aspects, and the fact that the already-low chromium absorption rate decreases even more with age, chromium shortage is of terrific concern.
Chromium is truly thought about an “ultra-trace” mineral, because it is needed in such small amounts to perform its vital functions. The blood includes about 20 parts per billion (ppb)– a fraction of a microgram. Despite the fact that it is found in such small concentrations, this mineral is important to health. There are about 6mg of chromium saved in the bodies of individuals who reside in the United States; tissue levels of people in other countries are normally higher, and those greater levels tend to be related to a lower occurrence of diabetes and atherosclerosis.
There is less hardening of the arteries in individuals of Asian nations, who it is estimated have 5 times greater chromium tissue levels than Americans. Individuals of Near Eastern nations who have about 4 times the average U.S. levels and African people who have twice our chromium levels seem to experience less diabetes than Americans. These higher tissue levels of chromium are due mostly to much better soil supplies and a less refined diet. Chromium might be just one of the factors representing the distinctions in rates of diabetes and atherosclerosis between cultures, however it is most likely a significant one.
Signs and Symptoms of Chromium Deficiency
Identifying and treating chromium shortage is simple and need to be done as early as possible, as it is a lot easier to avoid diabetes than to treat it.
Chromium is a trace element required by the human body, and shortage of chromium can lead to diabetes and atherosclerosis. The United States tops the list of the number of people struggling with chromium shortage. Here are the leading symptoms of chromium shortage for simple referral:
- You might experience an abrupt and abrupt increase in anxiety levels. You might get lightheaded, distressed, and your heart might start racing after doing some light exercise. This occurs because as the level of chromium in the blood decreases, the body’s capability to manage anxiety also decreases. So even when you are exposed to low levels of stress, the body moves into proactive mode and tells you to be on high alert.
- An unexpected decline in energy levels is another sign of chromium shortage. You might be getting adequate sleep, yet you might find that you are getting tired quickly. If this symptom lasts for more than 3 to four days, it is cause for concern.
- If you have chronic tiredness and anxiety, you need to visit your doctor for a glucose tolerance test. If your doctor believes chromium deficiency, the determination of blood sugar level levels will help them recommend medication to safeguard the body’s insulin making ability. With a deficiency of chromium, the chances of getting diabetes increase.
The content of chromium in 100 g of product, 55 µg - A young adult might be believed of chromium deficiency if she or he shows signs of muscle weakness, anxiety and fatigue, in addition to a sluggish growth rate. It has actually likewise been observed that children who eat big quantities of processed sugar might grow at a slower rate than their peers who are getting sufficient chromium in their diets.
- Chromium shortage also causes mood swings in affected individuals. As the routine performance of the body takes a pounding, the mood of the individual also starts fluctuating.
What Causes Chromium Deficiency
Shortages are more common in both the elderly and the young, especially teens on bad diets. Tissue levels of chromium have the tendency to reduce with age, which may be a consider the increase of adult-onset diabetes, a disease whose incidence rose more than sixfold.
This increase might likewise mirror the loss of chromium from our diets due to the fact that of soil shortage and the improvement of foods. Much of the chromium in entire grains and sugarcane is lost in making refined flour (40% loss) and white sugar (93% loss). In addition, there is some evidence that refined flour and sugar diminish even more chromium from the body.
Minimized absorption related to aging, diets that are stressful to the digestive system, and the modern-day refined diet all contribute to chromium deficiency symptoms. Greater fat consumption also may inhibit chromium absorption. If chromium is as essential as we believe it is to blood sugar metabolism, its shortage may remain in part accountable, in addition to the refined and processed diet, for the 3rd leading cause of death (more than 300,000 yearly) in this country, diabetes mellitus, and this figure does not reflect other deaths that may be connected to chromium shortage, because high blood sugar level levels seen in diabetes likewise increase the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, our primary killer.
Individuals who eat a diet high in sugar and fine-tuned foods are more at risk for not getting sufficient chromium. Sugar increases chromium loss and improved foods are very low in chromium. Professional athletes might also have increased chromium loss through exercise.
Milk and other high-phosphorus foods have the tendency to bind with chromium in the gut to make chromium phosphates that travel through the intestinal tracts and are not taken in.
How to Treat Chromium Deficiency
There is no particular RDA for chromium. Typical everyday consumption might be about 80-100mcg. We probably require a minimum of 1-2mcg entering into the blood to maintain tissue levels; given that only around 2% of our consumption is taken in, we require a minimum of 100-200mcg in the day-to-day diet. A safe dose range for chromium supplementation is 200-300mcg.
Children need somewhat less. Many vitamin or mineral supplements contain about 100-150mcg of chromium. Some individuals take up to 1mg (1,000 mcg) each day for brief periods without problems; this is not recommended as a long-term regimen but rather to assist replenish chromium shops when shortage exists. All the precursors to the active type of Glucose Tolerance Element are used in some formulas, but typically with chromium in lower doses, such as 50mcg, given that it is believed to be better absorbed with niacin and the amino acids glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid.
Health Tips
To Avoid Deficiency and Maintain a Good Intake of Chromium:
- Prevent sugar and sugar products, soda pops, sweet, and presweetened breakfast cereals.
- Prevent improved, white flour products, such as white breads and crackers.
- Use whole wheat products, wheat bacterium, and/or maker’s yeast.
- Eat whole foods.
- Take a basic supplement that contains chromium, around 100-200mcg daily.
