CHROMIUM

Chromium is a mineral that must be obtained in the diet and is required for life.

Chromium is a cofactor for an enzyme called chromodulin, which improves tissue sensitivity to insulin and facilitates glucose (sugar) transport into cells.

Only a trace amount of chromium is required, and deficiency does not occur outside of artificial settings, such as prolonged total parenteral nutrition (TPN) whereas chromium was absent from the solution. These individuals developed abnormal glucose utilization and increased insulin requirements that responded to chromium supplementation.

Chromium is sometimes recommended for a variety of different conditions, particularly those related to insulin resistance, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, and lowering “bad” (LDL) and raising “good” (HDL) cholesterol levels. Chromium is sometimes recommended in mental disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and binge eating disorder. Some people try chromium for body conditioning or to improve athletic performance.

Side effects are rare at usual doses used in supplementation.

Laboratory testing can reveal the presence of a deficiency or environmental toxicity of this nutrient.