Chromium is an essential mineral with a number of functions in humans and animals. The main role of chromium is as a cofactor in the insulin receptor complex. In this role, chromium is thought to aid in the binding of insulin to the insulin receptor and this facilitates the uptake of glucose to cells, thus lowering blood glucose levels. While theoretically it should be possible to get chromium in the diet there is a concern that most foods that might normally contain chromium are actually deficient in the mineral. This may relate to the evidence that shows that the chromium content of soil may generally be low on agricultural land, and as a result plants grown on this land are also deficient in chromium. One solution to this could be the use of supplements of chromium such as chromium picolinate. Another possibility is the use of functional foods such as brewer’s yeast, which is high in chromium and have been shown to provide a reasonable intake when eaten as part of a balanced healthy diet.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
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