Chromium

Overview

Chromium is an essential mineral for humans. Since your body doesn’t produce it, you must obtain it through food (or supplements).

Importance

Chromium has many functions in the body including:

• Enhancing the effects of insulin
• Assisting in glucose and fat metabolism.

Food Sources

Chromium can be found in several foods including:

• Broccoli
• Potatoes
• Whole grains
• Meat
• Apples
• Green beans
• Bananas
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce.

Deficiencies

Common symptoms and resulting conditions of chromium deficiency include:

• Impaired glucose tolerance
• Elevated circulating insulin.

However, your individual response could be different. If you suspect a health problem or deficiency in certain nutrients, please see your primary health care provider (doctor, naturopath, etc). They can help unravel the complexity of your physiology.

Excess/Toxicity

Common symptoms of chromium excess/toxicity include:

• DNA damage
• Kidney failure.

However, your individual response could be different. If you suspect a health problem or an excess of certain nutrients, please see your primary health care provider (doctor, naturopath, etc). They can help unravel the complexity of your physiology.

Note: chromium toxicity is generally limited to industrial exposure. However, long-term supplement use may increase DNA damage.

Recipe

For recipes rich in chromium, check out any of the Encyclopedia of Food entries for food items listed above.

Free Recipe Book

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Related Foods

• 

  Antioxidants
• 

  Phytochemicals
• 

  Zinc
• 

  Sodium