Chromium is Key
By Kathi Fox

Chromium is a metallic element with far reaching effects on our health. Chromium plays an important role in glucose and lipid metabolism. Chromium balances both high and low blood sugar, controls hunger and sugar cravings, helps with fat loss, lowers cholesterol and even builds muscle when used in conjunction with exercise.

Chromium comes in two forms: trivalent and hexavalent. Hexavalent chromium is a by-product of the metallurgic process used to make chrome for automobiles, and the chemical in question in the movie “Erin Brokovich.” Tri-valent is the form of chromium usable by the human body.

To understand the role of chromium, we need to begin with the metabolic process. Through the metabolic process, carbohydrates eventually turn into glucose, the cellular fuel. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas and binds with glucose in the blood, to be carried to the body’s cells. High sugar and fat in our diets, over-eating, and genetic predisposition can cause semi-permeable cell walls to become “insulin resistant”. In other words, they don’t accept the insulin/glucose complex needed for nourishment. The excess glucose in the blood stream that is not accepted on a cellular level gets taken to the liver and converted into fat.

Here is where chromium can play an important role. Chromium is the key that unlocks the door to allow the insulin/glucose package to enter the cell. Chromium makes the cell membrane once again sensitive to insulin. With more glucose available to fuel the body’s basic unit, the whole body will experience more energy.

Foods do contain chromium, but the amounts absorbed by the body are low. Foods that contain chromium include whole grains (especially buckwheat), wheat germ and cornmeal. Also mushrooms, broccoli, beets, molasses, cheese, prunes, apple skins, as well as black pepper and thyme all contain chromium. Brewers yeast has the most bio-available chromium.

Supplemental chromium typically comes as picolinate, nicotinate, gluconate or chloride.
Picolinate is the more common form. Nicotinate is a smaller molecule and is absorbed more readily. Potency is 200 mcg.

It is estimated that 9 out of 10 Americans are deficient in chromium. Factors that lead to chromium deficiency include diets high in refined sugars and fat. Pregnancy, intense exercise, and traumatic injury increase the need for chromium.

What are the benefits associated with getting an adequate amount of chromium and thus metabolizing glucose more efficiently? Controlling glucose levels may help put the brakes on aging. It may also play a part in lowering high blood pressure and preventing heart disease and diabetes.

Kathi Fox is a traditional naturopath, and co-owner of Total Health, a natural health
practice. She can be reached at (951) 677-8822.