Chromium works as an insulin amplifier in diabetes, enhancing insulin response, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research.
While glucose transport is the primary role of insulin, chromium's main function is increasing insulin's efficiency in regulating blood sugar levels. But this hormone produces much more complex and far-reaching effects. These include the transport of amino acids and electrolytes into cells, several enzymatic activities and cellular growth. Numerous studies show that chromium alters lipoprotein abnormalities (unhealthy LDL and HDL levels) that are believed to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Chromium supplementation also appears useful in treating obesity in other research, increasing lean muscle mass and improving athletic performance.
While chromium is an essential nutrient for humans, even healthy adults may be deficient. "Often 50 percent or more of the subjects in various studies improve following chromium supplementation," according to the results of studies led by Walter Metz, PhD, the USDA researcher who identified chromium as the essential component of glucose tolerance factor (GTF). The body needs GTF to metabolize sugar.
Scientists have found that eating foods high in simple sugars stimulate chromium loss through the urine. In addition, refined carbohydrates are devoid of chromium and other important trace minerals. Besides the prevalence of these foods today, a stressful lifestyle, traumatic experiences and heavy exercise deplete the body of chromium. --
Source: "Insulin Amplifier: Chromium is key to diabetes," by Marcia Zimmerman, M.Ed., C.N., published in Taste for Life magazine; November, 2000
In the reported study, all the patients taking chromium showed measurable improvement in their diabetes-related symptoms.
To read more about the specific findings for chromium and insulin response among a group of 180 men and women test subjects with Type 2 diabetes, see http://www.thenutritionsolution.com/ChromiumAndDiabetes.htm .
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Technorati tags: diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistant, insulin resistance, insulin response, chromium.
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