Chromium supplements have benefits such as improved sugar and fat metabolism, but also potential dangers such as kidney or liver problems, increased cancer risk, and muscle breakdown. Chromium is essential for glucose levels and metabolizing carbohydrates and fats. Deficiency can be treated by eating foods rich in chromium or taking supplements. Chromium may help diabetics maintain healthier glucose levels and lower cholesterol levels. However, there are potential risks, including an elevated cancer risk and possible kidney or liver damage.
Chromium supplements have been shown to have a number of benefits, as well as a few distinct dangers. Healthier sugar metabolism, reduced cholesterol, improved fat metabolism, and improved muscle mass are among the reported benefits of chromium supplements. There are also some potential drawbacks to taking this mineral; These include possible kidney or liver problems, increased risks of cancer, and muscle breakdown.
Chromium is identified as an essential trace element, signifying its importance, in small amounts, for the proper overall functioning of the body. It specifically helps maintain healthy glucose levels and properly metabolize carbohydrates and fats. These functions can be hampered by a chromium deficiency, which is caused by a lack of trivalent chromium, the nutritional aspect of the mineral. A deficiency can be treated by eating foods rich in chromium (grains, cereals, and brewer’s yeast are the most common) or by taking the proper dose of chromium supplements.
One of the most widely reported benefits of chromium supplements is an increased ability to metabolize sugar and insulin. Studies suggest that chromium breaks down the body’s resistance to insulin and may help diabetics maintain healthier glucose levels. It also helps transport sugars more efficiently through the system so they can be converted to energy; Similarly, Chromium supports the flow of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins so they too are converted into energy.
Due to its role in cholesterol synthesis, some proponents believe that chromium supplements are important for lowering and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. This can also help you lose weight and build muscle mass. Although no definitive scientific conclusions have been reached on this subject, many have experienced these benefits from taking chromium supplements.
However, chrome is not without its potential risks. Although there are few if any side effects, chromium supplements may have links to some serious medical conditions. In one highly publicized case, a user taking chromium supplements suffered kidney and liver damage, as well as anemia. However, it should be noted that the user ingested 6-12 times the RDA.
An elevated cancer risk is another oft-cited chromium danger. This was first recognized in the 19th century, when workers at a chromate dye company developed various types of cancer at an alarming rate. Modern research has indicated the possibility that chromium may activate the production of damaging free radicals in the body. However, just as there has been little scientific research on the benefits of chromium supplements, there has also been little research on possible drawbacks.
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