Insulin resistance is better known as “energy toxicity” (we also sometimes refer to it as “sugar saturation”), and is a state where the body’s cells are no longer willing to accept more input energy. Lower in this article, we discuss chromium deficiency in greater detail, but the main issue when one is deficient is severe insulin resistance. Waist-to-Height ratio makes for an excellent proxy to insulin resistance. You can consider insulin resistance to mean “sugar saturation” – at some point, overfilled adipocytes refuse to store more energy.

įor the sake of brevity, when we say “chromium”, rest assured that we’re talking specifically about trivalent chromium - this is the variety that can do a whole bunch of good within the body! Chromium deficiency gives clues to its benefits Thankfully, in an effort to avoid its negative health impacts, the EPA is currently working on minimizing our exposure to this compound. Hexavalent chromium is highly toxic, and is often only discussed in conversations regarding products of pollution via industrial production. Hexavalent chromium is the other form that exists, however this form is quite different from the former. Trivalent chromium, or chromium that has the ability to form bonds with up to three other atoms, is the version we’re focused on – it’s the type found in food that’s biologically active! It’s important to delineate between the two versions of chromium found in the world. And even though chromium is present in several foods, many of us still fail to hit this range! Trivalent Chromium vs. Healthy adults generally need somewhere between 20mcg to 35mcg per day, depending on age and gender. That might not sound like much, but humans don’t need a ton of this mineral in order to put it to work. According to the National Institutes of Health, the foods that boast the highest levels of chromium are broccoli, wheat, grapes, and meat, with broccoli supplying a relatively large 11mcg per serving. Image courtesy WikimediaĬhromium is a trace mineral that’s been around forever, inhabiting the earth’s crust and ingratiating itself into the various plants that grow from it, as well as the animals that feast on such plants. Regardless of what you think of this fat burner, you gotta agree that chromium has some of the coolest-looking 3D molecules. A trace mineral that’s integral in optimizing one’s health, specifically when it comes to nutrient metabolization and insulin secretion. One such micronutrient that doesn’t get nearly enough shine for what it does is chromium. It’s important to note that different micronutrients have different things to offer, and understanding just what they are is crucial.

Whether you’re looking to lose fat or add muscle, build up a better aerobic capacity or increase strength, adequate amounts of micronutrients can prime your body for the task at hand! Chromium: A Mineral That Optimizes Your Metabolism They help facilitate a more efficient body, in turn allowing us to pursue whatever our goals may be at a higher level. Micronutrients, a term used for the various vitamins and minerals contained in foods and supplements, are an incredibly important variable in terms of health despite their diminutive reputation. Proper ratios of macronutrients are often the focus of any solid nutritional plan, but you can take things up a notch by paying attention to the micronutrients consumed as well. Optimal health is achieved through a proper exercise and diet regimen.īeing aware of all of the variables that are at play is important in any area of health and wellness, especially when it comes to dialing in nutrition.

Chromium picolinate benefits