by Annette R. Karnash, R.N., M.N.
Chromium is a trace element whose importance to human nutrition was only discovered in 1957. Chromium is vital to proper blood sugar control as it functions in the body as a key constituent in the glucose tolerance factor. Chromium works closely with insulin in facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells and without chromium insulin’s action is blocked and glucose levels are elevated. Studies have shown that marginal chromium status is common in the United States. A chromium deficiency may be an underlying contributing factor to Americans that have diabetes, obesity and hypoglycemia. Chromium studies using supplementation with chromium in type 2 diabetes have shown to decrease fasting glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, lower insulin levels, decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL. Chromium is an important metal in blood sugar metabolism and supplementation is likely to produce improvements in glycemic control only in those who are deficient in this essential trace element. Although there is no RDA for chromium, it is suggested that we need at least 200 mcg a day in our diet.
