Recent biochemical updates on chromium

ABSTRACT

Chromium is an essential trace element which is required for carbohydrate metabolism as it potentiates the action of insulin. A low dietary chromium level has been associated with disorders like impaired glucose tolerance, glycosuria, diabetes mellitus, fasting hypoglycemia, elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Chromium deficiency should be considered in all clinical situations where unexplained insulin resistance develops in patients. Chromium deficiency should also be considered as one of the several nutritional factors that influence three recognized risk factors for public health problems of cardiovascular disease, i.e. impaired glucose tolerance, elevated circulating insulin levels and elevated serum cholesterol. In addition, inadequate maternal chromium intake is known to cause premature birth and intrauterine growth retardation and in males it has been linked with infertility