| Chromium is a metallic element. Chromium plays an | | | | Men with chronic high blood sugar and those who are |
| important role in glucose and lipid metabolism. Dr. | | | | obese are at elevated risk of suffering of BPH, or |
| Anderson, a nutritional research scientist with the US | | | | benign prostate hyperplasia. Dr. J. Kellogg Parsons |
| Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research | | | | from the University of California San Diego and his |
| Service has, for decades, studied chromium's role in | | | | research team studied more than 400 adult males |
| glucose and lipid metabolism. His research supports | | | | between the ages of 27 and 84. Their findings |
| the theory that without adequate chromium, insulin | | | | indicate that diabetics were more than twice as likely |
| evidently becomes ineffectual. Studies have provided | | | | to have prostate enlargement as compared to men |
| evidence that shows that Chromium may have the | | | | without diabetes. |
| effect of normalizing blood sugar levels. | | | | This study was published in the Journal of Clinical |
| It is clear that chromium enhances insulin's activity, | | | | Endocrinology & Metabolism, July 2006. They also |
| and is crucial to normal glucose and lipid metabolism. | | | | found the rate of prostate enlargement among those |
| Scientists, including Dr. Anderson and his colleagues, | | | | patients with high blood sugar was 3 times higher |
| are actively seeking to understand precisely how | | | | while obese patients suffered a 3.5 times higher risk |
| chromium renders this assistance. A possible theory is | | | | of BPH. According to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer |
| that as glucose piles up in the bloodstream, the | | | | Research Center obesity is associated with an 80 |
| pancreas produces ever-greater amounts of insulin, | | | | percent increase in the risk of high-grade, aggressive |
| to little avail without the presence of chromium. It is | | | | prostate cancer. |
| believed that chromium acts like a doorman while | | | | Dr. Anderson notes, "The dietary chromium intake of |
| insulin escorts glucose to "doors" in the cell | | | | most individuals is considerably less than the |
| membrane. Chromium rings the doorbell, and perhaps | | | | suggested safe and adequate intake." Consumption |
| holds the door open by activating receptors. Insulin is | | | | of refined sugar further depletes chromium stores. |
| then able to carry glucose into the cell. Without | | | | As sugar intake increases, more chromium is |
| chromium's help, membrane portals simply fail to | | | | expended by the body in an effort to metabolize |
| open. | | | | that sugar, resulting in a spiraling need for still more |
| Dr. Robert Atkins, the founding father of the | | | | chromium. Chromium supplementation is being studied |
| low-carb revolution, called chromium "the most pivotal | | | | by many reputable scientists and physicians as an |
| nutrient involved in sugar metabolism." Dr. Atkins | | | | important tool in the war on diabetes and obesity. |
| went on to point out "more than 90% of all | | | | Natural Food Sources |
| Americans are deficient." Besides chromium's beneficial | | | | Whole grains and mushrooms contain trace amounts |
| effect on glucose and insulin levels, studies also | | | | of chromium only if they are grown in soil containing |
| theorize that chromium may lower harmful total | | | | the mineral. Seafood and some meats may contain |
| cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising beneficial | | | | chromium only if the source animals ate foods |
| HDL cholesterol. There is even evidence to suggest | | | | containing chromium. By far, brewer's yeast is the |
| that chromium promotes fat loss and lean muscle | | | | only food source rich in this essential nutrient but its |
| mass retention. | | | | taste does not appeal to most people. This is why |
| Higher Risk of Prostate Disorders May Be Related to | | | | many health experts are recommending Chromium |
| High Blood Sugar Levels | | | | supplements. |