Unfortunately, due to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, soils are so deficient in chromium (along with many other minerals), that we can no longer expect the food we eat to supply adequate amounts of chromium. If the soil is well supplied and organic then chromium is found naturally in onions, lettuce, broccoli, nuts, potatoes, peas, prunes, mushrooms, beets, whole wheat, bee pollen, barley grass, oat straw, and red clover. Some studies have shown that it both helps to lower LDL so-called вЂbadвЂ™ cholesterol and raise HDL so-called вЂgoodвЂ™ cholesterol.Д¬hromium inhibits resistin, the hormone that causes insulin resistance in fat cells (adipocytes).

In addition to balancing blood sugar, chromium is used by the body to balance cholesterol and metabolize fat. It is well known that raised blood sugars and raised blood fats go hand-in-hand. On a molecular level, chromium enhances the effect of insulin on insulin receptors, glucose transporters, and glycogen synthase, the enzyme that converts glucose to glycogen. If the body is supplied with chromium a healthy blood sugar balance is more easily maintained because the body is able to utilize more sugar for energy into the cells where it is needed. But liver stores are limitedВ therefore excess glucose is then taken to your bodyвЂ™s fat cells to be stored as fat. Where does the body take the sugar to be quickly out of the way? Firstly to the liver to be stored as glycogen for future use.

If sugar is not taken into the cell to be used for energy then the body must take it away from the blood vessels to prevent harm. This important mineral plays several roles in the body in relation to weight managementВ and blood sugar and blood fat control.Д¬hromium is necessary for the uptake of sugar into the bodyвЂ™s cells by insulin. Chromium PolynicotinateВ is often deficient in the soil and itвЂ™s well known as lacking in New Zealand soil.

Chromium mineral