Chromium was designated an essential mineral after several case reports of chromium deficiency in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (nutrition delivered intravenously).[1][2][3][4][5][6] These patients demonstrated insulin resistance and glucose intolerance that seemed to be corrected by the administration of chromium. However, the validity of these reports has been called into question. The content of chromium in the TPN solutions was not always disclosed, and when it was, the solutions actually contained chromium in amounts exceeding what would normally be consumed in the diet given the low bioavailability of oral chromium.[7] Additionally, researchers have failed to induce chromium deficiency in mice; results of these mouse trials suggest that chromium may be beneficial as a pharmacological agent but not a nutritional necessity.[8] Lastly, in humans there are no definitive symptoms of chromium deficiency and no validated ways to measure chromium in the body, making it challenging to identify a true deficiency.[9] Both blood and urine levels, which are frequently used in clinical trials, are not considered to be accurate representations of chromium stores in the body.[10] While chromium may have small benefits when taken in supplemental doses, further research would be required to establish chromium as an essential dietary nutrient.
References
- ^Jeejeebhoy KN, Chu RC, Marliss EB, Greenberg GR, Bruce-Robertson AChromium deficiency, glucose intolerance, and neuropathy reversed by chromium supplementation, in a patient receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition.Am J Clin Nutr.(1977-Apr)
- ^Freund H, Atamian S, Fischer JEChromium deficiency during total parenteral nutrition.JAMA.(1979-Feb-02)
- ^Brown RO, Forloines-Lynn S, Cross RE, Heizer WDChromium deficiency after long-term total parenteral nutrition.Dig Dis Sci.(1986-Jun)
- ^Kien CL, Veillon C, Patterson KY, Farrell PMMild peripheral neuropathy but biochemical chromium sufficiency during 16 months of "chromium-free" total parenteral nutrition.JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr.(1986)
- ^A H Verhage, W K Cheong, K N JeejeebhoyNeurologic symptoms due to possible chromium deficiency in long-term parenteral nutrition that closely mimic metronidazole-induced syndromesJPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr.(1996 Mar-Apr)
- ^Tsuda K, Yokoyama Y, Morita M, Nakazawa Y, Onishi SSelenium and chromium deficiency during long-term home total parenteral nutrition in chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction.Nutrition.(1998-Mar)
- ^Vincent JBNew Evidence against Chromium as an Essential Trace Element.J Nutr.(2017-Dec)
- ^Di Bona KR, Love S, Rhodes NR, McAdory D, Sinha SH, Kern N, Kent J, Strickland J, Wilson A, Beaird J, Ramage J, Rasco JF, Vincent JBChromium is not an essential trace element for mammals: effects of a "low-chromium" diet.J Biol Inorg Chem.(2011-Mar)
- ^ChromiumNIH.(2022 Jun)
- ^Berger MM, Shenkin A, Schweinlin A, Amrein K, Augsburger M, Biesalski HK, Bischoff SC, Casaer MP, Gundogan K, Lepp HL, de Man AME, Muscogiuri G, Pietka M, Pironi L, Rezzi S, Cuerda CESPEN micronutrient guideline.Clin Nutr.(2022-Jun)