Chromium is a naturally occurring mineral and an essential nutrient. Chromium is needed for sugar and fat metabolism. The body needs chromium to stabilize blood sugar levels. Often picolinic acid is added to chromium supplements (chromium picolinate). Chromium isn’t easily absorbed by the body. The picolinic acid added to some chromium supplements helps the body to absorb chromium. This combination is often marketed as a weight loss remedy.
Bodybuilders are often told that chromium acts like an anabolic steroid, this hasn’t been proven. Chromium hasn’t been shown effective in weight loss either. What chromium can do for bodybuilders and for dieters is stabilize blood glucose, insulin production and insulin use. This can lead to an increase in energy. Chromium may also assist in regulating insulin levels. These effects won’t make muscles burst forth while you sleep but along with proper diet and training muscle growth can be facilitated.
Processed foods are lacking in chromium and many people do not get enough chromium in their diet. Chromium naturally occurs in foods such as turkey, whole-grain breads, potatoes, and beef. Broccoli and grape juice are among the foods richest in chromium. Seasonings such as dried garlic and basil are also good sources. Studies done in the late 60s showed when a diet lacks chromium optimum effectiveness of insulin doesn’t happen.
Chromium helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates and fats. Chromium is used by the body to regulate the amounts of insulin that are in the bloodstream. Controlling insulin levels make it possible for the body to utilize carbohydrates and keep your blood sugars at a stable rate. Blood sugar levels affect overall performance. If your glucose levels aren’t stabilized you can experience high and low blood sugar levels at different times throughout the day. You will feel best and perform better when your blood glucose levels are stable.
If your blood sugar levels drop too low you will become shaky, anxious, hungry, you will most likely get a headache and unable to continue your workout. Energy levels will drop drastically with your blood glucose levels and often your body will crave sweets as a reaction to lowering blood glucose levels. When you eat sweets, or whatever you choose to eat, to bring up your blood glucose levels you can end up raising it too high. This is a bigger problem if you choose high glycemic carbs to raise your sugar levels. High glycemic carbs raise your sugar levels quickly setting you up for an insulin response that can drop your blood sugar levels again.
When you blood sugar levels are stable your muscles have a steady supply of energy feeding them throughout your workout and beyond. Your energy levels stay stable and you are able to get maximum benefits from your workout.
The recommended daily intake of chromium is truly a minimum requirement for proper health. If your body doesn’t get enough chromium results can be damage to insulin-dependent systems. Chromium deficiency leads to anxiety, fatigue, glucose intolerance, inadequate metabolism of amino acids and increased risk of arteriosclerosis.
When blood sugar levels get too high you will become tired. If you don’t have enough insulin in your system your body can’t burn sugar for fuel, your body will burn muscle for fuel instead. You can also become confused as your brain isn’t being fed the nutrients it needs to function properly. High blood sugar levels have been linked to memory loss.
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