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chromiumSources of Chromium
The average dietary Cr intake seems to fluctuate considerably among
countries. In many developing countries dietary intake is high, from
50-100 micrograms per day, whereas in developed countries, such as
Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the US, average intake is 50
micrograms per day or lower and, consequently at or below the estimated
safe and adequate daily dietary intake (ESADDI) range of 50-200
micrograms per day established by the National Academy of Sciences (Kumpulainen,
1992).
Chromium in foods is present both in the inorganic form and as
organic complexes. Intestinal absorption of chromium is low (0.5-2%) and
the mechanism of uptake has not yet been fully elucidated. Circulating
trivalent chromium can be taken up by tissues and its distribution in
the body depends on the species, age, and chemical form. It is excreted
primarily in the urine by glomerular filtration or bound to an organic
transporter. Chromium metabolism is still not well understood (Ducros
1992).
Partial chromium deficiencies seem to be common, especially in
individuals with high intakes of refined foods (Dubois
and Belleville, 1992). Reported values for total body stores of
chromium vary between 0.4 mg and 6 mg. Chromium stores may be higher in
newborn babies than in adults, relative to body size, whereas tissue
chromium may be depleted in the elderly (Dubois
and Belleville, 1992).
