Chromium
Chromium is an essential trace mineral. Good food sources of chromium include: broccoli, potatoes, apples, turkey ham, beef, grape juice, and orange juice.1 The 100% Daily Value (based on 2000 kcal diet) is 120 mcg,2 but it has been revised to 35 mcg as of May 27, 2016.8 The 100% Daily Value for pregnant or lactating women is 45 mcg, effective as of January 1st, 2020.8
Forms
- Chromium nicotinate / polynicotinate: Chromium nicotinate / polynicotinate is a bioavailable source of the essential trace mineral, chromium, made by combining trivalent chromium (Cr III) obtained from chromium chloride with the nicotinic acid (a form of the B vitamin, niacin).
- Chromium Yeast: Chromium yeast is a natural source of organically bound chromium. It is prepared by growing nutritional yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in a chromium-rich medium. Chromium is incorporated into the protein structure of the yeast cells, which are then harvested and dried.
- Trace Mineral Rice Protein Hydrolysate: Trace mineral rice protein hydrolysate is a trace mineral-protein complex. It is produced by enzymatically hydrolyzing rice protein and then combining the resulting peptides (small protein fragments) with chromium.
Major Health Benefits
Chromium plays an important role in blood sugar control where it works in conjunction with insulin to facilitate the uptake of blood glucose into cells.3-7 Chromium also plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.6
Note
Patients currently taking an anti-diabetic drug, chromium supplementation should only be taken after permission from a physician.
References
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Higdon, J. Chromium. Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. 2001. (Reviewed by Vincent, JB. in 2014) (Food Sources) https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/chromium
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US Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling Guide (14. Appendix F: Calculate the Percent Daily Value for the Appropriate Nutrients). US Department of Health and Human Services. 2013 January. http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm064928.htm
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Vincent JB. Quest for the molecular mechanism of chromium action and its relationship to diabetes. nUTR reV. 2000 Mar; 58(3 Pt 1):67-72. PMID: 10812920
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Hua Y, Clark S, Ren J, Sreejayan N. Molecular mechanisms of chromium in alleviating insulin resistance. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Apr;23(4): 313-9. PMID: 22423897
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Mertz W. Chromium in human nutrition: a review. J Nutri. 1993 Apr; 123(4): 626-33. PMID: 8463863
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European Food Safety Authority. Scientific Opinion on Chromium Health Benefits. EFSA Journal 2010; 8(10): 1732; 2011;9(6):2203. https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1732
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Abdollahi M, Farshchi A, Nikfar S, Seyedifar M. Effect of chromium on glucose and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes; a meta-analysis review of randomized trials. J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2013;16(1):99-114. PMID:23683609.
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US Food and Drug Administration. Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. US Department of Health and Human Services. Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103, p. 33982 / May 27, 2016. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
pkg/FR-2016-05-27/pdf/2016- 11867.pdf