Chromium helps to maintain blood glucose balance in patients with type II diabetes. Chromium may help to prevent the development of type II diabetes in individuals with insulin resistance. Chromium may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in both non-diabetic and diabetic individuals, by reducing blood total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels. In addition, chromium has been shown to improve cardiac function parameters in Type II diabetes patients. Chromium is a trace mineral essential for growth and normal metabolism, being a key factor in the processing of sugars and fats within the body. Dietary chromium is obtained from wholemeal cereal and grain products (provided soils are not chromium depleted), nuts, seafood and yeast. Highly refined foods (e.g. refined sugar, refined flour used in white bread) contain little of this essential mineral, which is also easily lost during cooking or food processing. Chromium supplements are available in both organic and inorganic forms; although inorganic forms of chromium are cheaper, the body absorbs organic forms of chromium much more efficiently. Chromium supplements are available in several chemical forms (e.g. chromium picolinate or chromium polynicotinate) Chromium is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein, helping to maintain normal blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Chromium is a component of the so-called Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF) complex, which together with the hormone insulin, regulates carbohydrate metabolism and glucose balance within the body. Inorganic chromium is not incorporated into the GTF, and not all forms of organic chromium are GTF active. Chromium makes the action of insulin more effective, and improves the ability of the body to remove fat from the bloodstream. Chromium plays an important role in the natural weight regulating mechanism of the body, promoting muscle growth and inhibiting the development of obesity. Chromium also promotes normal immune function.
