Oct 08
17
As one of the natural minerals found in the body, chromium is considered to be important. but until today, the exact amount of chromium levels that one should have in their body has yet to be established. Chromium actually comes in two forms: chromium 3+ or trivalent, which can be obtained from foods; and chromium 6+ or hexavalent, which is considered to be the toxic form of this mineral. To function properly, your body requires a health amount of chromium 3+.
The next question most health-conscious people ask is how to obtain the necessary amount of this essential mineral. There are many different foods that contain chromium, but the amount is unfortunately small. These foods include meat, poultry, seafood, whole grains, dairy products, some herbs and spices, fruits and vegetables. For example, consider this list of chromium-containing foods:
There are many different foods that contain chromium. Unfortunately, the chromium amount found in these foods is quite small, approximately 2 microgram per serving. Examples of foods rich in chromium include vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, spices and whole grain products. if you do not want to lose more chromium than usual, then you should stay away from foods that contain high amounts of sugar. These foods are known to deplete the chromium reserve in your body. To give you and idea how much chromium is contained in these foods, check the list below.
- 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 mcgs
- cup of green beans = 1 mcgs
If you enjoy broccoli and red wine, this may be good news for you! But of course you’ll need to consult with your physician to determine the right amount of chromium intake for you, depending upon your age, general health, medications, weight, and body size. As you age, your chromium needs may change. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding may need as much as 30 mcgs each day. A safe all-around amount of chromium for an average adult is between 25 to 35 micrograms.
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.