Chromium GTF
It is estimated that Americans get only half the
chromium they
need each day. Although humans need chromium only in trace amounts, too little
chromium in the human diet can lead to serious health problems.
After chromium enters the human body, it teams up with other elements to keep
our metabolism tuned and efficient. Food processing techniques can remove nearly
all of it, leading to dietary deficiencies.
Minerals by themselves are usually hard to absorb and require helper molecules
as chaperones to usher them into the bloodstream, and through the cell wall
where they can be put to work. Certain bonding molecules are better than others
in order for us to efficiently absorb and utilize chromium.
For proper absorption of chromium, the body depends on a natural form of
chromium which is "chelated," or joined to helper molecules. The general
environment of the bowel is also important for absorption. Such factors as
enzymes, pH (acidity or alkalinity), and bacterial action on food in the bowel
can make a big difference on how much chromium gets into the bloodstream.
Chromium is the central atom in the "glucose tolerance factor" (GTF), a
hormone-like compound that works with insulin to transport glucose - the body's
quickest fuel - out of the blood and into the cells. GTF is composed of two
niacin molecules, three amino acids, zinc and manganese. With chromium present
in the diet, intestinal bacteria can produce GTF for you.
The National Research Council tells us that in animal experiments, chromium is
needed to help maintain normal blood sugar, acting as a co-factor with insulin.
The council goes on to say that juvenile diabetes and coronary artery disease
are associated with low concentrations of chromium in the blood.
Taking chromium supplements is the next best thing to ingesting it through
everyday eating. But putting a mineral supplement in an absorbable form is
another matter. Nature's Sunshine has modified its chromium supplement to
reflect current research on increasing absorbability by adding chromium
nicotinate to its regular chromium amino acid chelate.
The debate over chromium nicotinate and chromium picolinate has not been
resolved. Our studies indicate that chromium nicotinate tends to be both
absorbed and retained better than chromium picolinate. Since it is often true
that various forms of nutritional elements have advantages and disadvantages,
depending on the desired usage, we continue to be alert to the latest findings
on all forms of chelated chromium, and under what conditions each would perform
best for human consumption. Chromium is a key mineral used for weight loss.
Each tablet of 500 mcg of Nature's Sunshine GTF Chromium also has a blended base
of red clover tops, yarrow flowers and horsetail herb. Each of these herbs by
nature have higher concentrations of chromium than other botanicals to provide a
botanical source for better assimilation.
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Contact: Karen Olerich, Herb Specialist and Natural Health Consultant
Phone: (719) 495-4930
E-mail:
Karen
