Chromium is an important mineral that helps your body handle insulin and blood sugar levels

It has a wide range of impacts on our bodies, including weight loss, reduced cravings for sugar and improved heart health. You will find it in yeast, broccoli, and meat in very small amounts, and it can also be taken in supplement form.

Table of Contents

Benefits of Chromium

Insulin Sensitivity

Chromium has been shown to improve how we absorb insulin by increasing the receptors on cells, making it easier to take in. Improved insulin levels mean more controlled levels and fewer spikes and drops in blood sugar.

Sugar Cravings

Fewer spikes in glucose levels in blood mean your sugar cravings become lower and may even go away. This helps you make better decisions about food, which in turn reduces cravings again.

Weight Loss

It goes without saying that if you have lower sugar cravings and improve how we burn fat, weight loss will naturally follow.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Chromium is used to treat people with PCOS because women who suffer from the condition often find they have problems with insulin sensitivity. Not only does this cause upsetting weight gain, cravings and blood sugar fluxuations but it can be at the heart of the uncomfortable symptoms of this syndrome.

How Chromium Works

Chromium helps increase insulin receptors on your cells. By doing this, it makes it easier for the hormone (insulin) to be absorbed into your body. Insulin in turn helps to control glucose levels and stop you from experiencing the sugar rush and crash that can lead to overeating and your body not burning fat in the way it should.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Natural and Essential: Chromium is an essential mineral that can be found in various foods and is necessary for optimal health.

Improves Insulin Sensitivity: Chromium’s role in insulin sensitivity makes it a valuable mineral for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes.

Supports Weight Loss: Chromium may aid in weight loss by reducing sugar cravings and improving fat metabolism.

Cons:

Variable Absorption: Chromium absorption can vary depending on the form and individual factors, such as stomach acid and other nutrients.

Potential Side Effects: High doses of chromium may cause side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, or dizziness.

Interactions with Medications: Chromium may interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners, diabetes medications, or corticosteroids.

Where do we get Chromium?

Chromium is present in many different foods in varying amounts.

Meat – one of the best and easiest sources of Chromium is lean meat, particularly beef and turkey. Chicken is also a good source of Chromium, but it has more than half the level of beef and turkey.

Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, oranges and grape juice are excellent sources of Chromium, as is tomato juice. As for vegetables, broccoli and green beans are excellent Chromium boosters.

Brewer’s yeast: This is one of the highest levels of Chromium you can get from a dietary source, but many people are reluctant to take it as it can cause bloating and gas as well as headaches. It can also interfere with many common medications, so you should speak to your GP before taking it.

Supplements: Chromium supplements come in various forms other than brewer’s yeast powder. There are some which are exclusively Chromium for people who feel they are deficient in this particular mineral, and they usually provide 200-500 micrograms per dose, although some can be up to a thousand micrograms. Multivitamins also commonly contain Chromium, albeit in smaller amounts in the 30-150 microgram region.

Chromium and Sugar Cravings

Cravings for sugar are often the result of fluctuating blood sugar levels, especially sudden changes. During these spikes and drops, your body attempts to correct its levels by causing you to crave the sugar it believes you need. Although this serves a purpose in normal functioning bodies, people with any kind of insulin resistance will experience cravings when they already have too much sugar in their body, and the cravings may be much more severe than is necessary.

Chromium’s ability to help with insulin resistance and improve how cells absorb sugar can stabilise this issue and help avoid sugar cravings.