Chromium
What is chrome?
Chrome is a trace element, and our daily need for it varies from 50 to 200 thousandths of a milligram (mcg).
First important function
First of all, it affects the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats in the body: by affecting the sensitivity of insulin receptors and normalizing blood sugar levels, chrome reduces the craving for sweets and can save you from attacks of "wolfish" hunger. In addition, chromium "forces" your body to use fat, and not to accumulate them. This is why it is called the "mineral of harmony". It's worth noting that chrome "works" during physical activity, increasing their fat-burning effect. However, you can feel the effect of using chrome without training, and the effect is more than noticeable.
Second important function
Chrome is important for maintaining the cells of the nervous system. Many people know the type of depression when you do not seem to want anything, fatigue overcomes, and the eaten chocolate is deposited on the waist at an increased rate. Very often, this depression is caused only by a deficiency of chrome. 200 mcg of chrome per day will be enough to solve the issue and get rid of sadness.
Third important function of chromium
Chrome also has the ability to strengthen the cardiovascular system. The so-called anti-atherosclerotic property of chrome means that by having enough of this element, your body gets rid of "bad" cholesterol, and does not form cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels.
What products contain chrome? What is the normal amount of it?
Food sources of chrome are brewer's yeast, nuts, liver, salmon, and shrimp. The leaders in the amount of chrome are brewer's yeast and hazelnuts. Chrome can also be found in dates, beets, soy, raisins, and buckwheat. The daily norm of chrome is from 50 to 200 mcg. That is about 10 kg of boiled shrimp or a kilogram of dates daily.
If you don't have the ability to calculate grams and micrograms and eat kilos of food every day, pay attention to vitamins with chrome.
In particular, chromium picolinate. In addition to all the listed properties of chrome itself, this product has a powerful anti-stress property, it can reduce the risk of developing nervous disorders, improve sleep, and relieve depression. This is explained quite simply: picolinic acid (the compound of which is picolinate) participates in the exchange of serotonin, the so-called "hormone of joy and good mood".