How Much Chromium Does a Person Need
In the liver and spleen, in fat and muscles as well as bones, chromium accumulates. It is involved as a cofactor in the metabolism of certain enzymes. Chromium also influences cornea and lens functionality and their preservation. The amount of chromium that our body needs is relatively small. 80-100 μg are sufficient to cover the daily requirement for chromium in the body. Measuring chromium concentration in the body is not possible, as the detectable concentration in the blood does not provide information about the chromium content in cells. Reliable conclusions cannot be drawn from urinary excretion either.
Health Consequences of Chromium Deficiency
Elevated urine sugar levels are potential symptoms for a chromium deficiency. Various brain and nerve diseases can also be attributed to chromium deficiency. In many people with elevated cholesterol levels, the lack of chromium may be the cause. Atherosclerosis and high blood fat values also belong to the picture in case of chromium deficiency.
Diabetes is also favored by this deficiency because without chromium, sugar breakdown in the body does not function properly. Even with abundant insulin production, blood sugar is not broken down because insulin only approaches the sugar molecule with the help of chromium. Of course, an overdose is harmful to the human body. In tanneries where chromium salts are used, poisoning symptoms can occur. In some areas, drinking water or soil may be contaminated with chromium slag. However, dietary chromium introduced into the organism does no harm.
Avoiding Chromium Deficiency
Already from the 40th year of life, the ability of the human body to absorb chromium decreases. Therefore, there are often problems with blood sugar levels in old age. There is a range of chromium-rich foods. Whole grain products, raisins, nuts, mushrooms, brewer's yeast, and black pepper belong to this group. However, there are also foods that deplete the body of chromium. White bread, dough products, and milk belong to this category. Warning signals from the body in case of chromium deficiency include constant fatigue, restlessness, and irritability.
Overview of Trace Elements
| Chromium |
| Iron |
| Fluorine |
| Iodine |
| Copper |
| Manganese |
| Selenium |
| Zinc |