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