Chromium+(Cr)

= Other Names= Trivalent chromium, chromium chloride, chromium picolinate, active chromium, chromium brewer's yeast, chromium niconate

=General Presentation= Chromium is necessary to balance blood sugar levels. The human body contains 6mg. of chromium.

=Pro-Compounds= None

=Anti-Compounds= None

=Food Sources= -Beer Yeast -Veal Liver

Lesser Concentrations
Broccoli -Green Beans -Potatoes -Whole Grain Cereals -Wheat Germ -Gruyere -Plums -Mushrooms -Asparagus -Beer

=Deficiency= Deficiency is associated w/ severe malnutrition, diabetes and cardiovascular dis-ease -Irritability -Weight Gain -Nervous Problems in arms and legs -Balancing glucose levels in diabetics

=Excess= Taken in high doses, it can obstruct the assimilation of iron and zinc

=Therapeutic Indications= -Participates in the metabolism of fats and sugars -Promotes Growth -Potentializes the action of insulin

=
======================================================================== //Medical Nutrition// • -Trace nutrient 1955 • -Essential for animals 1959 • -Absorption: • Trivalent form – Cr3+- 10-25% • Inorganic –1% absorbed • Active transport via transferrin (if iron is high, chromium has decreased binding-> blood sugar problems arise with hemochromatosis) • Acid pH/ Amino Acid chelates-

Function
• Makes GTF which helps insulin production and binding to receptors • Keeps normal blood sugar • Reduces glucose • Cholesterol and other fat metabolism

• RDA 50-200mcg ODI 300-900mcg/d Avg. US intake: 30mcg/d

• Sources: liver, brewers yeast, potato skins, cheese, chicken, meat, and bran… • Deficiency: occurs in long-term TPN patients -> glucose intolerance, high chol, TGs, Increased needs with trauma, exercise and high intake of carbs.

Treatment
• 1. Hyperglycemia (DM1, 2, gestational, corticosteroids induced) 500mcg bid. Normalizing Blood sugar curve. • 2. Hypoglycemia – empirical, decreases sugar cravings • 3. Hypercholesterolemia (can use with niacin and use less niacin for effectiveness) With increased chol- it decreased LDLs and increased HDLs-20% • 4. Increasing lean body mass (400mcg) With weight loss and obesity, BS changes seen but none in normal people. • 5. Acne (can be used with Gymnema sylvestra and Zn) • 6. Dysthymia has been very effectively treated with chromium. –200mcgbid (TLAp04/JclinPsy1999;60 p237) Given with Zoloft it induced remission. It also worked sometimes alone. • 7. Reduces crosslinking equivalent to reduction in food intake! (VRP- -Vit Res PressWard Dean -2002) LONGEVITY!

Toxicity
• Very little toxicity, increased sugar, increased need. ? Decreased sleep requirements and increased dream activity. One study showed chromosomal damage with very high doses – picolinate form.