Why Does My Body Need Chromium

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

28 Aug 2008 06:23 PM

It takes a lot of different things to keep your body going. A mineral called chromium is essential for good health... though experts don't know a whole lot about how much or why.

What does chromium do in the body? It seems like it has a couple of related functions for good health, including:

• Enhancing insulin action. Insulin helps the body metabolize and store carbs, fat, and protein. Chromium seems to play a role in helping the body continue to process blood sugar normally as you age.
• Enhancing carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. More research is underway on this one, as scientists learn more about chromium deficiency and chromium supplements.

There are actually two kinds of chromium that are easy to find in the world: trivalent chromium (which is found in food) and hexavalent chromium (which is a toxic byproduct of industrial pollution).

The good kind of chromium is available from a wide range of foods -- but most foods contain only a small amount. Here are some good sources of chromium:

• Broccoli -- a half cup serving has 11 micrograms of chromium, which is about a third of the recommended daily intake for an adult male.
• Grape juice -- one 8oz glass has around 8 micrograms of chromium, which is about a third of the recommended daily intake for an adult female.
• Whole wheat breads can contain between two and four micrograms of chromium.
• A three ounce serving of beef or turkey breast contains two micrograms of chromium.
• Garlic (dried -- 1 teaspoon) contains three micrograms of chromium.
• Basil (dried -- 1 teaspoon) contains two micrograms of chromium.

You don't need a ton of chromium to keep your body healthy and happy. From age fourteen and up, men need around thirty-five micrograms of chromium per day; women need around twenty-five micrograms of chromium per day.

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