• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Upload Advertising

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Understanding chromium

Chiropractic Economics April 14, 2014

by Brandi Schlossbergchromium-supplement

Found in food sources and supplements—and necessary for optimal health—chromium is a mineral that has been linked to the enhanced action of insulin in the body. Many people choose to take chromium nutritional supplements because the mineral has been connected to the reduced incidence of diabetes, decreased blood lipid levels, weight loss, and improved body composition.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements, the potential benefits of chromium listed above are currently among the most focused areas of chromium research. Scientists are working to pin down exactly how much chromium should be ingested via supplements to bring about these benefits, and to prove the direct connection between chromium and the reported improvements.

One of the reasons there is not as much hard and fast evidence or direction about the role of chromium in the body and the possible perks of chromium supplements is because chromium remains one of the less understood components of human health. The NIH reports that “no chromium-specific enzyme or other biochemical marker has been found to reliably assess a person’s chromium status.”

However, researchers have pinpointed several scenarios in which people may be more likely to have deficient levels of chromium and possibly need to take in more chromium through supplements. For example, people who consume diets that are high in simple sugars may have lower levels of chromium and may benefit from chromium supplements.

Other examples of cases where a person may have increased chromium losses include infection, pregnancy, breastfeeding, extreme stress and intense exercise.

Currently, there are quite a few forms of chromium supplements on the market. These supplements may come in the form of stand-alone chromium or chromium may be one of several components included in a blended supplement. One area of the supplement market where chromium is a common ingredient is in the realm of improved performance and weight loss.

The NIH reports that “few serious side effects have been linked to high intakes of chromium, so the Institute of Medicine has not established a Tolerable Upper Intake Level for this mineral.”

In other words, the use of chromium supplements is not likely to cause any unwanted side effects, but people are still encouraged to consult a health care professional before beginning to take any new supplement, including chromium. This is especially encouraged if a person happens to be taking any other supplements or prescribed medications, because chromium supplements could potentially interact with the other drugs.

 

Related Posts

  • Don’t worry, be happy: CoQ10 for anxiety and depressionDon’t worry, be happy: CoQ10 for anxiety and depression
  • Spice for life: cayenne supplementsSpice for life: cayenne supplements
  • Can digestive enzymes benefit your patients with diabetes?Can digestive enzymes benefit your patients with diabetes?
  • Green coffee bean extract loaded with health benefitsGreen coffee bean extract loaded with health benefits
  • 3 key supplements for toning and weight loss3 key supplements for toning and weight loss
  • Choosing the right nutritional supplements for weight managementChoosing the right nutritional supplements for weight management

Filed Under: Nutritional Supplements, Resource Center

Current Issue

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

820 A1A N Highway W18,

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Phone 904.285.6020

Fax 904.395.9118

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • Foot Levelers releases spring 2021 seminars schedule
  • MediHerb® introduces Ashwagandha Forte for patient sleep, stress, immunity support
  • HealthLight expands to include blue light therapy for chiropractors