Chromium

Question 1

Sources & AI

Answer 1

Best: beef, cheese, peanuts, spices
Typical: orange and grape juice, broccoli

Bioavailability: 0.4-2.5%

25-35 ug women/men
Serum 0.5 µg/ L

Question 2

Chromodulin

Answer 2

4 AA’s that hold 4 chromium atoms together.

Glucose tolerance factor

Question 3

Enhancers & Inhibitors

Answer 3

Enhancer: HCl, AA, picolinate (chelator/ made from niacin, protects chromium), vitamin C

Inhibitors: phytates, antiacids

Question 4

Transport

Answer 4

Binds and transported via transferrin in +3 state with iron.

Can also bind to albumin.

Question 5

Function

Answer 5

Facilitates insulin receptor and beta subunit.

Upregulates GLUT4 which lowers blood glucose levels

Question 6

Chromium:

Trivalent and Hexavalent

Answer 6

Nutrient or industrial contaminant.

Found in air, water, soil.

Hexavalent creates radicals within body due to its +6 charge.

Antioxidants can reduce hexavalent chromium.

Question 7

Chromium and insulin

Increases expression of insulin receptor

Answer 7

Insulin promotes chromium entry into cells via transferrin receptors.

Released chromium atoms (4) bind to apochromodulin.

Chromodulin binds to beta subunits of insulin receptor.

Question 8

Deficiency symptoms

Answer 8

Only in individuals receiving TPN.

Weight loss, neuropathy, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, elevated free fatty acid concentrations.

Question 9

Toxicity

Answer 9

No UL

no observed adverse effect level NOAEL = 1000 µg

Chromium picolinate 600-2400 µg associated with renal failure and Hypatia dysfunction