Supplements with chromium
Chromium is an important trace mineral that helps the body grow and stay healthy. It is needed, among other things, for the breakdown of fat, carbs, and proteins. After calcium, chromium is now the second most popular mineral supplement in the United States. Also, it is one of the most debated.
There are both good and bad things about chromium. In a good way, it was said that chromium supplements would help burn fat and lower blood sugar levels. Chromium supplements are also thought to help build muscle, lower cholesterol, and lower the chance of getting heart disease. A new study shows that chromium may help lower cholesterol in a small way. Chromium may help lower triglyceride levels while raising HDL (good) levels, if more research is done. But taking too much of it can cause problems, so it's best to take chromium supplements under the supervision of a doctor.
Chromium could help:
Control diabetes: When a person has type 2 diabetes, their pancreas makes insulin to try to control how much sugar is in their blood. GTF, which stands for "Glucose Tolerance Factor," makes cells more sensitive to insulin. Chromium is part of the GTF molecule. So, chromium supplements may help bring blood sugar levels back to normal. Several clinical studies have shown that diabetics who took chromium supplements were able to cut back on how much medicine they needed to take. When taken with niacin, chromium works even better (vitamin B3). Studies have also shown that chromium may help people with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) feel better by stabilising their blood sugar and getting rid of headaches, nausea, tiredness, and irritability.
Help you lose weight:
People who are overweight can lose weight with the help of chromium picolinate. It helps change the way the body looks by adding muscle mass and getting rid of fat. But studies show that people who take chromium supplements lose about the same amount of weight as those who take placebos. Chromium supplements might help you lose weight if you take them along with a healthy diet and a lot of exercise.
How to avoid heart disease:
Chromium may help raise the levels of the "good" HDL cholesterol and lower the levels of the "bad" LDL cholesterol. There is no evidence for this, and the same thing can be done with a good diet plan and exercise.
Chromium is already in the food we eat, so most healthy eaters don't need to take chromium supplements. But supplements, not just chromium supplements, are a must when you eat a high-fat, over-refined diet. So, some people don't get enough chromium. When this happens, they need chromium supplements. Chromium comes in capsule, softgel, and tablet forms. Even though there is no recommended amount of chromium to take, 50 to 200 mcg a day is enough for adults. Most basic vitamin-mineral combinations have enough chromium to keep you from getting too little of it. The body seems to be able to use all kinds of chromium in the same way. For the best absorption, chromium should be taken with vitamin C. Taking antacids may make it harder for your body to absorb this mineral. If you have too much chromium, you might not have enough zinc.
Even though there have been no signs of side effects, taking too much could cause kidney failure. After a few months, a woman who took 1,000 mcg every day ended up with kidney failure. Chromium supplements that are taken for a long time or in high doses may hurt the body. Chromium picolinate could damage chromosomes, which can lead to cancer. Before taking chromium supplements, people with diabetes should talk to their doctor. Some brain chemicals, like serotonin and dopamine, are also changed by chromium picolinate. Before taking chromium supplements, people with any kind of behaviour disorder should talk to a doctor. The effects of chromium on women who are pregnant or who are nursing are not known.
