Our body requires majority of the minerals, just like vitamins, currently known to man in order to grow and maintain good health. The body uses minerals to perform many different functions such as building strong bones to transmitting nerve impulses, to maintain a normal heartbeat and to make hormones. Keeping these minerals in balance is a vital and a complex task that our body must perform efficiently at all times. Lack of balanced diet, stress, illness lead to shortage of these minerals and must be replenished through daily supplement intake to remain healthy.
There are two kinds of minerals: macrominerals and trace minerals. The macromineral group is made up of Magnesium, phosphorus , sodium, potassium, calcium and sulfur and our body needs a large amount of these minerals.
Trace minerals, on the other hand are the once that are needed in just the tiny amount, that is, we need just the trace of them in our body. Nevertheless, they are absolutely essential for our body to function in a healthy manner. These trace minerals include chromium, selenium, manganese, zinc, iodine, iron, cobalt, and copper. Scientists still do not know exactly how much of these trace minerals are required for our body to function properly.
In this article we will focus on Chromium.
Although its mechanisms of action in the body and the amounts needed for optimal health are not well defined, Chromium, a trace mineral, is known to enhance the action of insulin and is essential for the body's ability to break down carbohydrates, fat, protein and sugar. Chromium is widely available in our small quantity in our daily food supply and a chromium deficiency is rare, as the mineral is easily accessible to those who maintain a healthy diet. Chromium-rich foods include fish, poultry, broccoli, carrots, whole-grain, fruits, vegetables, and spices. In contrast, foods high in simple sugars (like sucrose and fructose) are low in chromium. Chromium deficiencies can occur in people who only consume foods that are processed and depleted in nutrients. Note that dietary intakes of chromium cannot be reliably determined because the content of the mineral in foods is substantially affected by agricultural and manufacturing processes.
According to National Institute of Health, adult women in the United States consume about 23 to 29 mcg of chromium per day from food, which meets their adequate intakes unless they're pregnant or lactating. In contrast, adult men average 39 to 54 mcg per day, which exceeds their adequate intakes.
The average amount of chromium in the breast milk of healthy, well-nourished mothers is 0.24 mcg per quart, so infants exclusively fed breast milk obtain about 0.2 mcg (based on an estimated consumption of 0.82 quarts per day). Infant formula provides about 0.5 mcg of chromium per quart. No studies have compared how well infants absorb and utilize chromium from human milk and formula.
Chromium concentration significantly decreases in hair, sweat and blood in our body in old age which might suggest that older people are more vulnerable to chromium depletion than younger adults.
Chromium and its several forms have been subjects of numerous trials for their effects on the body. It is reported that significant age-related decreases occur in the chromium concentrations of hair, sweat and blood which might suggest that older people are more vulnerable to chromium depletion than younger adults. Some studies have indicated that chromium may lower cholesterol levels.
There is clinical evidence that the molecule called glucose tolerance factor (GTF) contains chromium. Some research indicates that GTF plays a crucial role in the cell's sensitivity to insulin. These studies suggest that chromium may help normalize blood sugar levels. Chromium supplements may help prevent drop in blood sugar levels for people with no diabetes. Thus Chromium supplements or multivitamins that include chromium may be helpful in maintaining a proper balance.
Vitamin C assists in the absorption of chromium. Taking excessive amounts of the Chromium supplement may interfere with zinc absorption. Diabetes patients should consult with their doctors before taking chromium supplements to ensure their insulin requirements are not altered. To learn more about the chromium supplements offered by DrugNatural, visit www.drugnatural.com or contact us at 866-656-9500 or by email at customerservice@drugnatural.com.
