Chromium supplements help weight loss
Added 23.10.2008
Approximately 50 percent of Europeans are overweight, which increases their risk of diseases such diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. But for many people, especially women, weight management is an ongoing battle. Maintaining an ideal weight can be difficult, particularly due to the more sedentary lifestyle we tend to lead today. But here's a piece of information that can brighten up your day: new research suggests that chromium can enhance satiety and decrease hunger pangs, helping you to lose weight naturally.
Chromium: an essential mineral
Chromium is an essential trace mineral that is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, in the regulation of blood sugar levels and blood pressure, as well as in the activation of certain enzymes for energy production. Chromium's role in glucose metabolism - by controlling the absorption of glucose into cells - helps to prevent blood glucose concentrations from rising past a certain level. This in turn reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia, pre-hypoglycaemia, type 2 diabetes and the feeling of hunger. Chromium is also important in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and osteoporosis.Daily chromium supplements reduce food intake and cravings
A study this year involving 42 overweight women revealed that daily supplementation with chromium reduced food intake by 25 percent. Hunger levels and food cravings, especially high-fat foods, carbohydrate and sweet cravings, were also decreased. Moreover, during the eight week trial period, women lost 0.5 kg compared to an average 0.5 kg increase in the placebo group without changing their diet.Can you get enough chromium from dietary sources?
NO. Small amounts of chromium can be found in foods such as whole grain breads, lean meats, cheese and brewer's yeast. However, chromium is poorly absorbed by our body, which means higher concentrations of this mineral are needed if we are to obtain its health benefits and the content of chromium in the soil, which affects food sources, is much lower than 10 years ago.References:
Anton, S.D. & all. "Effects of Chromium Picolinate on Food Intake and Satiety." Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. Volume 10, Issue 5, pp. 405-412. October 2008.
