Chromium, when administered in the right dose, helps build muscles. It is a trace metal. A trace metal is available in extremely small quantities, which are present in animal and plant tissues. Other trace metals include iron, zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, arsenic, molybdenum, and selenium. These are a part of healthy nutrition, but excess quantities of them prove to be toxic.
These are easily expended by living organisms. Plants replenish these trace metals by taking nutrients from soil, and animals by eating plants.
Chromium helps maintain normal serum cholesterol levels and also helps to control the production of insulin. It increases immunity, regulates blood sugar, food cravings, and the body’s use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It also helps in protein synthesis. Certain chromium compounds are being used to prevent memory loss and arrest deterioration due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Chromium is sometimes called glucose tolerance factor (gtf).Chromium deficiency leads to many health conditions. In the United States, dietary deficiency of chromium is widespread resulting from the food processing methods that remove most of the naturally occurring chromium from foods.
Symptoms of Chromium deficiency include:
Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression, Hyperactivity, Glucose intolerance, Irritability, Bipolar disease, Elevated blood cholesterol, Mood swings, Coronary blood vessel disease, Hypoglycemia, Stunted growth, Infertility, Learning disabilities, Obesity, Neuropathy, Increased triglycerides in blood, Decreased sperm count, and Diabetes.
A healthy diet that contains chromium-rich foods helps the system remain on an even keel.
Food sources of Chromium include:
Whole grains, Bread, Brown rice, Meat, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Green beans, Brewer’s yeast, Beef, Beer, Chicken breast, Chicken legs, Calves’ liver, Cereals, Cheese, Eggs, Fish, Sea food, Corn, Potatoes, Diary products, and Fresh vegetables.
Herbs are also rich in chromium. Herb sources of chromium include:
Wild yam, Nettle, Catnip, Oat straw, Licorice, Horsetail, Yarrow, Red clover and Sarsaparilla.
Most of the multivitamin chromium supplements contain small amounts of chromium. Many varieties of chromium supplements are also available on the market.
One caution: chromium interacts with other medications and should only be taken after consulting a doctor or physician.
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