Chromium nutrition in man

Abstract

In conclusion, the results of therapeutic trials of dietary chromium supplementation have indicated that chromium deficiency can be a cause of or an aggravating factor in the glucose intolerance of infants suffering from protein-calorie malnutrition, maturity-onset diabetics, and of middle-aged and elderly subjects in this country. Laboratory investigations have suggested certain other conditions which may he associated with a particular risk of chromium deficiency, including: low birth weight, insulin-dependent juvenile diabetes and gestational diabetes. Factors predisposing to such a deficiency vary with the circumstances: 1) a poor placental supply of GTF to the low birth weight neonate; 2) geographical variations in dietary chromium appear to be responsible for chromium deficiency in association with protein-calorie malnutrition in some, but not all, communities, and the effects may be accentuated by protein deficiency; 3) abnormal chromium metabolism in the insulin-dependent diabetic may lead to chromium depletion as a result of excessive urinary chromium loss; and, 4) fetal demands can deplete the maternal chromium reserves during pregnancy (28). There is evidence to suggest that suboptimal chromium nutrition may be prevalent in this country, and may become of increasing importance with advancing age. If confirmed, prevention of dietary chromium deficiency may require modifications of current dietary practices and food processing techniques. Currently, research is being directed to the improvement of techniques for the detection of chromium deficiency, evaluation of the biologically meaningful chromium content of diets and to the purification and synthesis of the glucose tolerance factor. It is anticipated that progress in these research areas will permit adequate evaluation of the chromium nutritional status of individuals and populations, and effective measures to treat and prevent human chromium deficiency.