Chromium and Diabetes

In the metabolism of glucose (or GTF – glucose tolerance factor), chromium is required for energy. Chromium is also vital in the synthesis of cholesterol, fats and proteins – further important factors concerning diabetes

Chromium is an essential mineral that maintains stable blood sugar levels through proper insulin utilization and is helpful for diabetics as well as hypoglycemics. In fact, both diabetics and hypoglycemics are deficient in chromium and only 10% of Americans have an adequate amount of chromium in their diets, for the following reasons:

• Not enough foods containing chromium are consumed
• Chromium is lost during food processing
• People don’t like foods containing chromium
• High quantities of sugar in the diet cause chromium loss
• Chromium in many foods is not easily absorbed
• Chromium levels start to decrease in the early 40’s

Supplemental chromium as chromium picolinate enables chromium to enter the cells of the body and so help insulin do its job more effectively. If you are a diabetic, be sure to advise your health care professional should you begin to supplement with chromium, as it will have a positive effect on your blood sugar levels and you may then need to decrease your medication

Find chromium in these foods:

Beer (hooray!), brewer’s yeast, brown rice, cheese, meat, whole grains, dried beans, calf liver, chicken, corn, dairy products, dried liver, eggs, mushrooms and potatoes

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