What Are The Benefits Of Chromium Gtf?

Chromium is one of the nine essential micro-minerals or trace elements. There are two main types of chromium. Trivalent chromium is the type found in nature. The other type is a toxic and carcinogenic industrial chromium. Chromium supplements use trivalent chromium. The Office of Dietary Supplements lists these compounds as chromium chloride, chromium nicotinate, chromium picolinate, high-chromium yeast, and chromium citrate. Only a small amount of the chromium in foods and supplements is actually absorbed by the body. You require minute amounts of chromium, but there are benefits to having an adequate intake of this mineral. The amount of chromium adults need daily in addition to what may occur in food is 30 micrograms for men and 25 micrograms for women. Most supplements provide from 50 to 200 micrograms of elemental chromium.

Glucose Tolerance Factor

GTF stands for glucose tolerance factor. In a study performed with rats fed a diet of Torula yeast, they developed abnormal glucose tolerance that could be reversed with brewer's yeast. Later it was reported that trivalent chromium was the glucose tolerance factor present in brewer's yeast. In humans, adequate intake of chromium might be a means of preventing the progression of abnormal glucose tolerance into type II diabetes. Chromium does not reverse the condition once it has developed, but may be useful for some individuals in controlling it. If you have type II diabetes and are not on any diabetes medications, chromium supplements should be safe to try. If you are on prescription medication, you must let your physician know as adjustments to some medications may be necessary. It is also important to keep close track of your blood glucose level when any medication or supplement changes are made until the effects are known.

Cardiovascular Disease

Studies of chromium's effect on blood lipid levels have shown inconsistent results. The Office of Dietary Supplements reports that, in some studies, low density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were lowered and good cholesterol levels increased. The amounts of chromium used in these studies was higher than those usually obtained from diet and supplements. There is speculation that improvements in lipid profiles were in individuals who had insufficient dietary intake.

Body Weight and Composition

If you take chromium instead of a placebo, you may lose slightly more weight than if you took the placebo. The difference is not considered significant. The Linus Pauling Institute notes that a meta-analysis of 10 studies showed that participants who received chromium lost about 2.4 lbs. A study done at the University of Vermont has shown that type II diabetics taking sulfonylurea with chromium picolinate actually gained weight compared to the sulfonylurea plus placebo group. There is no evidence that chromium alters the composition of the body, as in increasing lean tissue or decreasing fatty tissue.