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Chromium is a trace element that has been shown to play a role in
the body’s processing of different food items. A trace element is a
substance that is required by the body in very small amounts for
proper growth and functioning. Individuals with likelihood of low
chromium levels include: elderly persons, individuals with extremely
poor diets or diets very high in refined sugars, pregnant or
breast-feeding women, individuals under chronically stressful
conditions, and those who depend on total parental nutrition
(feeding through an intravenous line). Exercise and increasing age
may also reduce body stores of chromium.
For people that
suffer from high blood sugar, chromium appears to help the body
better utilize insulin and increase the number of insulin receptors
in the body. Consquently, it is believe that chromium may be useful
in treating diabetes - especially type II diabetes.
Beuase
chromium may be beneficial for individuals with certain types of
high cholestrol as it appears chromium can alter the breakdown of
fats in the diet. Additionally, chromium has been publicized as a
weight loss agent and athletic supplement for increasing the lean
body mass. However study for these effects of chromium are
inconclusive.
Dosage and
Administration
National Academy of Science’s
recommended range of 50-200 mcg per day. The high incidence of
adult-onset diabetes suggests to some doctors that many people
should be supplementing with small amounts of chromium. A daily
intake of 200 mcg is recommended by many doctors. In general, a
pregnant woman needs an additional 5 mcg of chromium per day (over
the RDA) and a breast-feeding woman needs about 10 mcg more per day
than other women in her age group.
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