Chromium

Chromium is used by the body to balance blood sugar and metabolize macronutrients. Eating a diet rich in chromium reduces the risk of deficiency and offers many benefits.

Chromium, an essential mineral, is necessary for the formation of Glucose Tolerance Factor, a compound that regulates the body's use of glucose and helps to balance blood sugar. Chromium is also used in the metabolism and storage of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates by the body. Although there is no hard evidence that chromium aids weight loss or reduces body fat, as has been suggested in the past, chromium does have many other health benefits.

Health Benefits of Chromium In addition to balancing blood sugar levels, chromium has many benefits including:

• Regulates hunger
• Reduces cravings
• Helps protect DNA and RNA
• Important to heart function
• Helps control fat and cholesterol levels in the blood

Symptoms of Chromium Deficiency

Those who are under extreme stress or eat a diet high in refined sugars and flours, additives, and processed foods or who are obese are at risk of chromium deficiency since these factors deplete chromium from the body. Symptoms of chromium deficiency include:

Cold sweats, dizziness or irritability after six hours without any food

Frequent hunger

Cold hands

Need for excessive sleep or drowsiness during the day

Addiction to sweet foods

Frequent urination

Excessive thirst