Did you know…that chromium is an essential mineral can stop carb cravings and promote weight loss?
We only need a small amount of chromium, but even so an estimated 25% to 50% of Americans are mildly deficient in this very important essential mineral.
In fact, there is a greater prevalence of chromium deficiency in America than in any other developed country. Once again, we have the industrialized food industry to blame.
Soil has been stripped of chromium, as have the refined, processed foods we consume. For example, government regulations require that all minerals be removed from sugarcane when it’s processed into sugar.
What is Chromium?
Chromium is a metallic trace mineral that balances blood sugar levels and helps insulin carry glucose to cells where it is used for energy. Our bodies depend on an adequate intake of chromium to maintain a normal metabolism and to store fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Chromium deficiency could contribute to the obesity epidemic pervading the United States. While chromium deficiency may be operating silently in the background, there are some signs to pay attention to.
Symptoms include…
- Difficulty controlling weight/obesity
- Intolerance for alcohol and sugar
- Insulin resistance
- Metabolic syndrome
- High LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels
A lack of chromium not only puts you at risk for belly bulge, but also makes you a candidate for diabetes, atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Can Chromium Really Help You Lose Weight?
How can chromium help stimulate weight loss? Aside from reducing food cravings, chromium benefits enhances the activity of insulin, a hormone that carries sugar to the cell before the sugar can damage vital organs or be converted to fat.
Chromium benefits also targets one of the primary causes of weight gain—fluctuating blood sugar levels. When you eat sugars or refined starches, insulin levels skyrocket, causing your body to stockpile fat.
A sufficient amount of chromium benefits helps to regulate blood sugar and keep your body from hanging on to stubborn fat.
In this same way, chromium benefits is thought to control food cravings. Our bodies crave food, especially high sugar foods, when our blood sugar levels become too low.
By stabilizing blood sugar, chromium benefits help keep these cravings at bay.
Other Health Benefits
Chromium shows promise as a treatment for high cholesterol. Thus far, studies have been inconclusive as to chromium’s effect on lowering LDL cholesterol, but according to Harvard Health Publications, chromium benefits may be one of the most effective ways to raise your HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Chromium benefits have also been recommended as a treatment for depression, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pre-diabetes, and Types 1 and 2 diabetes.
Craving Some Chromium?
One way to boost your chromium intake is to indulge in chromium-rich foods such as…
- Broccoli
- Romaine lettuce
- Onions
- Legumes
- Tomatoes
- Whole grains
Unfortunately, unless you grow your own vegetables, you’re at the mercy of food manufacturers. Supplementing with chromium is a safeguard. Experts say you should look for a multivitamin/mineral that contains 200 mcg of chromium.
If you’re actively trying to lose weight, look for a fat-burning supplement containing chromium glucose tolerance factor (chromium GCF), which is the most effective chromium for balancing blood sugar.
University of Texas researchers recommend combining chromium with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for maximum benefit.
Calcium supplements and antacids tend to block the absorption of chromium so be sure to take separately. Aspirin, on the other hand, increases the absorption of chromium, so you might not need as concentrated of a dose.
If you are currently taking insulin or diabetes medication, consult your doctor.