Chromium Supplements

About Chromium Supplements

Chromium is an essential mineral required for human health, just like magnesium and zinc. Chromium was discovered in 1957 in Brewer's yeast and is now widely prescribed for the management of Type II Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce sugar cravings, improve body composition and even reduce cardiovascular disease risk. This makes chromium an important mineral for the management of blood glucose levels, metabolic and cardiovascular health.

Perhaps the most potent biological effect of chromium is on the management of insulin resistance. This condition occurs when insulin begins to lose its effect at a cellular level, resulting in less GLUT-4 translocation. In the short term, this leads to increased insulin synthesis and release by the Beta cells of the pancreas in an attempt to manage increasing blood glucose (sugar) levels. This creates a vicious cycle which can eventually lead to pancreatic and/or cellular exhaustion and prediabetes or Type II Diabetes.

Chromium is an important nutrient for the regulation of insulin sensitivity. As insulin's cellular effects increase, blood glucose is lowered (glucose disposal). Chromium may also assist with triglyceride management, as reported in Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics in 2006.

The Western Journal of Medicine reported in 1993 that when compared to placebo, chromium picolinate was effective at reducing blood lipids. Specifically, LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein-B decreased. Based on this, chromium supplementation may assist with the management of blood lipids and insulin resistance, making this a cardiovascular supportive nutrent as well.

A large body of anecdotal evidence exists for chromium's use to assist with sugar cravings, helping to keep that sweet tooth at bay. This may be helpful when dieting or overconsuming carbohydrate foods, helping to improve body composition not only by increasing the effectiveness of insulin, but also by reducing the burden placed upon the pancreas.