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Regular intake of chromium has a significant impact on a wide range of health disorders related to insulin resistance: diabetes, obesity, hypoglycemia, stroke, hypertension, colitis and Crohn's disease, ulcers, gastritis, multiple sclerosis, migraine, premenstrual syndrome, epilepsy and many mental disorders.
Chromium is central to the exchange of sugars. More than 90% of Americans are deficiency of chromium, and no matter how sad, those who most need it, get it the least. Chromium deficiency is self-sustaining. Once in your body is not enough of this trace element, you have increased craving for sweets. But the more you eat sweets, the more depleted reserves of chromium. Given that today the average American consumes about 150 pounds (68 kg) of sugar in year, it is not surprising that the problems of insulin resistance and chromium deficiency have become so common.
The human body contains a very small amount of chromium (about 5 mg - 100 times less than iron or zinc), but it plays an important role: activates enzymes necessary for metabolism of carbohydrates, involves in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and proteins. Deficiency of chromium not only impairs sugar metabolism, but also may provoke the development of a number of complications peculiar to diabetes: numbness and pain in the limbs due to violations of the blood circulation in small vessels and capillaries. Our lifestyle contributes to a shortage not only chromium but also other important minerals: an excess in the diet of animal protein, refined products, alcohol, nitrates, nicotine and other toxins, stress and overweight - all this causes rapid elimination from the body of useful substances, which fill up is becoming increasingly difficult. Assimilation of chromium from inorganic compounds in food, is only 0,5-0,7%, and from organic - 25%.
Except taking dietary supplements, there is no other sufficiently reliable ways to replenish stocks of chromium in the body. However, chromium is contained in mushrooms, barley and whole grains, but only grown in soils rich in chromium. Marine products and meat can be a good dietary sources of chromium, but the diet of animals must also be rich in chromium. Besides, when the industrial processing of products lost 60% of chromium contained in them.
The only "food", that really rich in chromium is brewer's yeast. Unfortunately, this source is not acceptable to many people who are allergic to yeast, as well as for those who are susceptible to yeast and fungal infections.
The first idea of the importance of chromium was obtained with the discovery of GTF (glucose tolerance factor) - an organic molecule, built around the chromium atom. For this reason, researchers have begun to develop chromium compounds that the body easily absorbs and utilizes (for example, polynicotinate and chromium picolinate). When these compounds appeared on the market of dietary supplements, this led to a powerful wave of studies that have provided solid evidence of the role of chromium in the metabolism of insulin and other aspects of health
Diabetes. Chromium is indispensable in the treatment of diabetes type II (insulin-independent form) - this is the most common and complex variety of the disease. It can also help patients who suffer from diabetes type I (insulin-dependent form).
Diabetes type II, also known as "adult diabetes", is caused by insulin resistance. While the existence of cases of diabetes in the family creates a strong predisposition, the disease develops almost exclusively in long-term consumption of the refining carbohydrates. In type II diabetes, the body loses its ability to assimilate chromium from food, and therefore supplements are necessary. If the chromium in the blood will be in sufficient quantities, may well be that glucose level is fully normalized. At least, chromium supplements would likely reduce the doses of insulin or other antidiabetic drugs.
Obesity. If you are overweight, most likely, it is associated with insulin resistance. Obesity is a cause and a consequence of this metabolic disorder. Along with the carbohydrate diet, chromium supplements are a great way to help you lose fat.
Heart disease. Metabolic disorders of insulin and obesity are major risk factors for heart disease. Chromium deficiency also enhances the likelihood of developing heart disease, but not only because chromium helps reduce weight and better control of blood sugar levels. Chromium supplementation improves the blood content of HDL-cholesterol, which clears the arteries, and at the same time helps to reduce LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as reduce the total concentration of cholesterol in the blood.
High blood pressure. Why outlaw salt, if now is shown that more than 60% of cases hypertension is a consequence of hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance? We would live in a better world, if the labels of food products proudly reported a high chromium content and low in carbohydrates. If we ever hope to overcome the "silent killer", we need to correct these errors.
Aging. The only comprehensive reason to take chromium is the salvation of accelerated aging, which is caused by increased levels of insulin in the blood. Experts increasingly believe that the high level of insulin is responsible for contamination of our blood a dangerous amount of sugar, "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides.
Trying to figure out why we age, scientists discovered a process called "glycosylation". It causes damage and death of cells due to high blood sugar, and this process seems to be the major factor of aging. Chromium better than any other substances controls blood sugar. In addition, there is another related mechanism: a decrease in blood supply to any part of the body, tissues in this area are experiencing oxygen starvation and lack of essential nutrients. Chromium is one of the most important nutrients that support the health of the arteries.
In other areas, the therapeutic value of chromium found not so clear as in diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension, but it is spreading to many other diseases. For example, chromium can help with chronic headaches and treatment of acne. Chromium contributes to strengthening bones, and therefore it can be used in the treatment program for osteoporosis. Together with vitamin C, chromium can reduce intraocular pressure, helping to treat glaucoma.
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