Do you know how much chromium your body needs in your daily diet? Generally, a healthy adult needs about 25 to 30 micrograms per day. As you age, your chromium needs may increase. Pregnant and breast feeding women needs about 30 micrograms of chromium daily. As a rule, your chromium needs are based upon your age, health, weight, and body size.

In addition to enhancing the action of insulin in the body, chromium also plays a major role in the metabolism and storage of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Its exact role is yet unclear and additional studies will have to be conducted to establish this relationship. These studies will have to involve analyzing foods for its chromium content, determining the benefits of chromium, finding out if chromium supplements can help and computing how much amount of chromium is needed to address chromium deficiency.

- cup of broccoli = 11 mcgs - 1 cup of orange juice = 2 mcgs - 2 slices of whole grain bread = 2 mcgs - 3 oz of turkey breast = 2 mcgs - 1 tsp of dried garlic = 3 mcgs - 1 tblsp of dried basil = 2 mcgs - 1 cup of mashed potatoes = 3 mcgs - 5 oz of red wine = 1 to 13 mcgs - 1 medium sized banana = 1 mcg - cup of green beans = 1 mcg

- 1/2 cup broccoli (11mcg) - 1 cup orange juice (2mcg) - 1 cup orange juice (2mcg) - 2 slices of whole grain bread (2mcg) - 3 ounces of turkey breast (2mcg) - 1 tsp of dried garlic (3mcg) - 1 tablespoon of dried basil (2mcg) - 1 cup of mashed potatoes (3mcg) - 5 ounces of red wine (1 to 13 mcg) - 1 medium-sized banana (1mcg) - 1/2 cup of green beans (1mcg)

Chromium is found in two forms: chromium 3+ (”trivalent”, obtained from food) and chromium 6+ (”hexavalent” that is the toxic form of this mineral). To function in a healthy manner, your body requires a sufficient form of chromium 3+. Chromium from foods is not well absorbed by your body; your physician may determine that taking a chromium supplement is right for you.

If your daily diet doesn’t supply you with enough chromium, you and your physician may consider using your use of a chromium supplement. You’ll generally be able to find a high-quality supplement either in a local health food store or, for additional convenience, from an online merchant that offers good discounts and free shipping for their products. Be sure to do a little homework to make sure your merchant is a reputable supplement dealer and the you’re receiving a quality chromium product.

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