Nutritional role of chromium

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Endocrinology
• Trace Element Research

Background:

• Chromium (Cr) is an essential trace element crucial for carbohydrate metabolism.
• Its biological activity is intrinsically linked to insulin's function, enhancing insulin-dependent reactions.
• Adequate chromium nutrition can reduce insulin requirements and improve blood lipid profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of chromium in carbohydrate metabolism and insulin potentiation.
• To identify and characterize biologically active organic chromium complexes.
• To establish methods for measuring chromium forms.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and characterization of organic chromium from brewer's yeast.
• Synthesis of organic chromium complexes with nicotinic acid and amino acids (glycine, cysteine, glutamic acid) or glutathione.
• Development of analytical bioassays for total and biologically active chromium.

Main Results:

• An organic chromium complex potentiating insulin action was isolated from brewer's yeast, containing chromium, nicotinic acid, and amino acids.
• Synthetic complexes of chromium, nicotinic acid, and amino acids or glutathione were prepared.
• Analytical methods for quantifying total and organic chromium were established.

Conclusions:

• Chromium is essential for normal carbohydrate metabolism and insulin potentiation.
• Biologically active chromium exists in organic forms, often complexed with nicotinic acid and amino acids.
• Dietary chromium from fresh foods supports metabolic health, and analytical methods exist to assess its active forms.