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About
What Is Chromium, What Is Chromax® chromium picolinate and Why Might Your Patients Need It?
Chromium is an essential mineral that acts as a cofactor of insulin, enhancing glucose transport and promoting healthy blood sugar levels. As a cofactor of insulin, the actions of chromium are all consistent with an enhancement in insulin sensitivity.
Click here to view a quick animation of the Mechanism of Chromium's Actions.
Chromium in the Diet
Chromium is found in trace levels throughout the food supply and most foods contain only small amounts of chromium. Absorption of chromium has been shown to be inversely proportional to chromium intake, although, at any intake, the body absorbs dietary chromium poorly. Only approximately 0.4 to 2.5 percent of chromium consumed is actually absorbed.
High fiber intake has been debated as a cause of decreased absorption of some nutrients, including chromium. The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) has noted that certain medications such as antacids, may also decrease chromium absorption and retention by altering stomach acidity. Several other factors may also affect chromium absorption. High dietary intake of vitamin C, amino acids and oxalate has been found to enhance chromium absorption, while a diet high in phytates and simple sugars appears to decrease chromium absorption.
Americans Aren't Getting Enough
Low intake of dietary chromium has been observed in U.S. diets. In addition, it’s difficult to determine dietary chromium intake because the content of chromium in foods is variable among different food lots and may be influenced by modern food processing and cooking at high temperatures. And to make matters worse, total body chromium levels appear to drop with age, decreasing by 25 to 40 percent over time, depending on the tissue analyzed.
The increased incidence of impaired glucose tolerance with aging suggests that the elderly might be at increased risk for low chromium status. Current data suggest that low levels of chromium in serum, hair and toenail tissues are correlated with insulin-resistance related conditions.
Form Matters
The response of glucose, insulin and lipids to chromium supplementation is related to the amount and form of supplemental chromium, the degree of glucose intolerance and the study duration. Evidence suggests that chromium picolinate found in Chromax® is a more bio available form of chromium. The majority of studies in which chromium picolinate supplementation was employed reported positive effects in promoting optimum insulin function, which helps promote healthy blood sugar, support cardiovascular health and increased energy.*
Recommending Chromax Chromium Picolinate To Your Patients
Supplements containing 200 to 1,000 mcg of chromium/day as chromium picolinate have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose metabolism.* Studies in animals and humans indicate that supplements containing chromium picolinate are safe, bioavailable and efficacious.
Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, should choose Chromax® chromium picolinate as a supplemental/adjunct nutrient for customers, patients or clients who may have insulin resistance, complaints of decreased energy or pre-diabetes.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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