Americans Consume Less Chromium Than Estimated Adequate Intake Level
NY, 14 April 2003
Results Presented at Experimental Biology 2003
new study presented today at Experimental Biology 2003 analyzed
consumption of chromium food sources using data from the Continuing
Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) for 1994-1996 and
determined that Americans may not be meeting the Institute of Medicine's
(IOM) Adequate Intake (AI) for chromium. Research suggests that
low intake of chromium may be linked to insulin resistance, a condition
affecting one in three Americans and associated with obesity, type
2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
is an essential mineral that enhances insulin activity to help promote
carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. "Overall the study suggests
that American diets are inadequate in the essential mineral chromium,"
states Dr. Vijaya Juturu, lead investigator, Nutritional Scientist,
Nutrition 21, Inc. Dr. Juturu adds, "Chromium is found in very small
quantities in foods and it is difficult to estimate how much chromium
we normally consume."
chromium content in food is variable and influenced by processing
and cooking at high temperatures. Intakes of chromium from select
food sources known to be high in chromium, such as wheat, cooked
peas, American cheese, liver, egg and margarine were calculated
using CSFII96. More Caucasians reported consumption of the selected
high chromium food sources than did other groups.
IOM recently published that the AI for chromium is 25-35 mcg per
day, which was determined by estimating the average amount of chromium
a healthy American obtains from the diet. The AI for chromium is
substantially lower than the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) of 120
mcg. Dietary chromium alone may not be enough to meet the needs
of this important mineral. Chromium supplementation is available
to help Americans meet their chromium needs for healthy insulin
has shown that daily supplementation with 200-1000 mcg per day of
chromium, as chromium picolinate, increases insulin function and
promotes blood sugar metabolism in both obese people and people
with type 2 diabetes. "Chromium is critical for the many health
areas impacted by poor insulin function, such as diabetes and heart
disease," comments James Komorowski, MS, co-investigator, VP, Technical
Services and Scientific Affairs, Nutrition 21, Inc.
study, "Consumption of Selected Food Sources of Chromium in the
Diets of American Adults based on the CSFII Data Base 1994-1996"
was funded by Nutrition 21, Inc.
of Selected Food Sources of Chromium in the diets of American
Adults Based on the CSFII Data Base 1994-1996
Vijaya Juturu(1), James R Komorowski(1), Gloria Hsheih(2).
(1) Research and Development, Nutrition 21, Inc., 4 Manhattanville
Road, Purchase, NY 10577, (2) Human health and development,
Penn State University, University Park, PA.
is an essential trace metal required for glucose, lipid and
protein metabolism. Chromium is found in very small quantities
in foods. It is difficult to estimate how much chromium we
normally consume and how much chromium we require each day.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consumption
of selected food sources of chromium (wheat, peas, cooked,
american cheese, liver, egg, chicken breast, margarine, haddock,
ham, chicken and turkey, oyster, coffee, tea, wine and beer)and
to calculate the intakes of chromium by using data from the
CSFII conducted from 1994 to 1996.
this study, the consumption of chromium food sources and estimated
intakes (less than 20 mg/day) are lower than the IOM's adequate
intake levels (25-35 mg/day). The current database is not
adequate to determine exact dietary chromium intake because
the content of chromium in foods is variable among different
food lots and may be influenced by processing and cooking
at high temperatures. Overall, the study suggested that US
diets are inadequate in chromium, an essential metal.
21, Inc. develops and manufactures nutritional products whose health
benefits are substantiated by clinical research. Nutrition 21 currently
holds 35 patents for nutrition products, 22 for chromium compounds
and how they can used. More information is available at http://www.nutrition21.com.