Chroom - An Ultra Trace Mineral
Water, soil, and living matter are sources of chromium. However, this chromium is poorly absorbed; as a result, animals have a very low tissue level of the nutrient. Because various forms of chromium are not well absorbed, supplementation with the macro-mineral is recommended. It is important that chromium is supplemented in an organic form, as this form can be better absorbed by the body.
Chromium plays an important role in the normal metabolism of glucose and other nutrients. This is because chromium is a key component of the glucose tolerance factor; it has even been established that chromium is the active ingredient of this factor, which enhances the action of the hormone insulin. This also shows that chromium is essential for animals, otherwise blood glucose levels could not be maintained. Furthermore, chromium is an essential nutrient for the metabolism of lipids and saccharides.
Supplementation with chromium may have a positive effect on:
- Glucose tolerance, as it may maintain or even improve glucose tolerance (with healthy blood glucose tolerance, blood glucose levels return to normal within two hours after a meal);
- Circulating insulin concentrations, chromium may reduce these concentrations;
- Plasma lipid concentrations, chromium may also lower these concentrations;
- Chromium can help restore blood glucose levels when there is a high blood glucose level. It also contributes to less glucose being excreted through the urine.
- Body fat, chromium may reduce the amount of body fat;
- The immune response, chromium may improve the immune response;
- Protein accretion, chromium may have a positive effect on protein accretion;
- Dogs with diabetes, supplementation with chromium has a positive effect on blood glucose levels. Chromium lowers blood glucose levels in dogs already being treated with insulin.
No research has yet been conducted to determine the minimum chromium requirement for both dogs and cats. The NRC is said to have determined a minimum requirement for dogs of 0.8 mg chromium/kg DDM (Dietary Dry Matter).
In animal nutrition, chromium bound to baker’s yeast is often used. This is because this form is easily absorbed. This allows supplementation with an organic complex of chromium.
