Chromium

It is a chemical element, a strong metal, gray steel color, in the periodic table it is 24, atomic mass – 51.996. The oxidation state of chromium in chemical compounds can be Cr²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cr⁶⁺. In biological systems, the most stable is trivalent chromium (Cr³⁺). In the human body, chromium is mostly found in bones, skin, and muscles. As we age, the amount of chromium in the body decreases. In total, there are 6-12 mg of chromium in the human body. Chromium is involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is part of the glucose tolerance factor. Chromium is involved in cholesterol metabolism. It is an activator of some enzymes. Inorganic chromium compounds are poorly absorbed – only about 0.5%. There is very little chromium in food, so inadequate nutrition may lead to a deficiency. Pregnant and lactating women need the most chromium. The need for chromium increases with higher sugar consumption. People with diabetes often lack chromium. Recommended daily doses of chromium are not established. It is known that higher doses of chromium (III) chloride CrCl₃ are toxic when ingested. It can cause allergic dermatitis and exacerbate symptoms of lung cancer. Chromium is mostly found in legumes, chocolate, black pepper, and beer. There is little chromium in meat, dairy products, and fish. Chromium is excreted from the body through urine, so the reserves in the body can be estimated from the amount excreted in the urine. When there is enough chromium, 5-10 µg of chromium is excreted in the urine per day.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė