Chromium Supplements And Chromium Deficiency
Chromium Supplements And Chromium Deficiency
There are several different things that can affect how much chromium is present in the body. A low rate of chromium is absorbed into the body from the intestinal tract, only about 0.4% to 2.5% from the foods that we eat. The rest of the chromium is excreted in the feces. This means that we’re getting very low levels of chromium from the foods that we consume. Vitamin C, found in fruits and vegetables, is thought to enhance the amount of chromium that is absorbed. As well, Vitamin B, found in grain products, fish, meat, and poultry, is also thought to encourage the absorption of chromium. The body stores chromium in the bones, soft tissues, spleen, and liver.
The amount of chromium our bodies contains can be decreased when certain conditions are present. For example, eating a diet that is high in sugar (sugars of over 35% of the daily caloric intake) can increase the amount of chromium that the body excretes in the urine. Other conditions that deplete the amount of chromium in the body include pregnancy, lactation, infection, obsessive exercise, and stress. This can lead to a chromium deficiency and if the body already has low chromium levels this can lead to abnormal body functions.
It can be difficult to determine who needs extra chromium and who doesn’t. Some studies indicate that as we age the chromium in our body decreases. Levels of chromium in our blood, sweat, and hair start to deplete. However, levels of chromium in the body are hard to gauge because levels found in blood, sweat, and hair don’t always reflect the amount of chromium that is really present in the body. As of yet there is no biochemical marker that can reliably assess each person’s chromium levels.
There have been some indications that chromium supplements can aid in treating Type 2 diabetes as well as glucose intolerance. In Type 2 diabetes, although the pancreas is able to produce insulin, the body isn’t able to effectively use this insulin. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs because cells in the body start to compromise tissues and muscles as they become resistant to the way the insulin makes the body react. People who are obese are particularly prone to developing Type 2 diabetes. A deficiency in chromium will impair the body’s ability to correctly use the glucose that it needs to supply it with energy. Studies show that chromium supplements can help to manage Type 2 diabetes and the way the body responds to insulin. As well, chromium supplements may help reduce the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes in people who are most at risk.