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Chromium

Mineral: chromium

Daily Value: none (50-200 mcg RDA)

Hazardous level: 200 mcg (uncertain what maximum safe level is)

Average intake in US diet: 25 mcg

Function: aids insulin function as a cofactor (use of blood sugar for energy production)

DOSAGE RATIONALE: average of RDA = 125 mcg x 150% minus maximum average intake of 33 mcg for men, 25 mcg for women

KEY NOTES AND REFERENCES:

Hunt, C.D., and Stoecker, BJ, "Deliberations and Evaluations of the approaches, endpoints, and paradigms for boron, chromium, and fluoride dietary recommendations," J. Nutr 126: 2441S-51S

(1996)

"human dietary boron consumption in the US is in the range of 1-2 mg." "In postmenopausal women...a daily dietary intake of 3.23 mg boron for 49 d...decreased

fasting serum glucose concentrations ....approximately 6%". "the glucose tolerance test of 8 subjects with initially impaired glucose tolerance ...improved significantly during chromium supplementation. Less than 20 mcg chromium/day was sufficient to prevent impaired glucose tolerance..." "studies using lower doses [of fluoride]...combined with calcium supplementation have shown lower vertebral and peripheral fracture rates -

ESADDI=50-200 mcg; 22-100% of people have intakes less than 50 mcg; less than 20 mcg was sufficient to prevent impaired glucose tolerance

Kozlovsky, AS, et al, "Chromium intake, excretion, and absorption of adult subjects consuming self-selected diets", Fed Proc 43: 471 (1984) "Approx. 90% of the diets analyzed were below the minimum safe and adequate intake for chromium of 50 mcg/day"

Press, RI, et al, "The effect of chromium picolinate on serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein fractions in human subjects", West J Med 152: 41-45 (1990) 28 subjects, 42 days, 200 mcg Cr3+ as chromium tripicolinate "results obtained in this study show that chromium picolinate may be an effective agent for treating serum lipid disorders. In a related study, we observed significant decreases in the levels of both fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin in 11 persons with diabetes mellitus....""chromium picolinate may be a valuable adjunct to the treatment and prevention of heart disease."- 28 people, 200 mcg chromium picolinate/day - lowered blood lipids; standard North American diet has less than 50 mcg/day

Frishman, R., "Aging alters mineral needs", Harvard Health Letter 21: 6 (Apr 1996) "As scientists look more closely at aging, however, they've begun to suspect that the mineral requirements of a person who is 75 may not be the same as those of a 55-year old" "dietary recommendations for young and middle-aged adults - those for calcium, magnesium, and chromium-are not appropriate for older people" "recommended intakes of iron, zinc, copper, and selenium are probably just as appropriate for older as younger adults." "There is no evidence that older Americans are short on [magnesium], and there is scant reason for any healthy adult to take magnesium supplements." "[Chromium] is another nutrient that need not be purchased."- current chromium RDA is not appropriate for elderly; Tufts researchers believe even 50 mcg is too high

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