Chromium is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in optimizing insulin function and the regulation of blood glucose levels. Chromium may also be anti-atherogenic and assist in lowering cholesterol.

Chromium is ubiquitous in foods at low low concentrations. Derived from processing of food with stainless steel equipment. Also present in tobacco smoke, chrome, plating, dyes and pigments, leather tanning, and wood preserving and is deposited into air, water, and soil.

Blood distribution of chromium appears to be equally divided between plasma and RBCs, whole blood chromium the sample type for total chromium measurement. Chromium (VI) is more concentrated in the RBCs, while chromium (III) does not enter the RBCs. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish sources and types of exposure to indicate toxic (Cr VI) exposure versus benign (Cr III) by measuring RBC chromium. Chromium rapidly clears from the blood and measurements relate to recent exposure. Urinary chromium excretion reflects absorption of the previous one to two days.

Chromium is an essential trace mineral crucial for carbohydrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity. It plays a role in stabilizing blood sugar levels and is involved in lipid and protein metabolism. Hair analysis offers a long-term view of chromium status, reflecting dietary intake, environmental exposure, and overall mineral balance.

Chromium, when measured in whole blood as part of a Toxic and Essential Elements panel, provides valuable insights into the body's chromium status, which is pivotal for various physiological functions. Chromium is a trace element essential for human health, primarily recognized for its role in enhancing the action of insulin, a hormone critical to the metabolism and storage of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Its presence in whole blood reflects both recent dietary intake and the body's stores of the mineral. Chromium exists in several forms, but the trivalent chromium (Cr3+) is the biologically active form, considered safe and necessary for human health, while hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) is toxic and carcinogenic. The measurement of chromium in whole blood can be crucial for evaluating nutritional status, particularly in populations at risk of chromium deficiency, such as those with unbalanced diets, the elderly, and individuals with impaired glucose tolerance.

Chromium is ubiquitous in foods at low low concentrations. Derived from processing of food with stainless steel equipment. Also present in tobacco smoke, chrome, plating, dyes and pigments, leather tanning, and wood preserving and is deposited into air, water, and soil.

Blood distribution of chromium appears to be equally divided between plasma and RBCs, whole blood chromium the sample type for total chromium measurement. Chromium (VI) is more concentrated in the RBCs, while chromium (III) does not enter the RBCs. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish sources and types of exposure to indicate toxic  (Cr VI) exposure versus benign (Cr III) by measuring RBC chromium. Chromium rapidly clears from the blood and measurements relate to recent exposure. Urinary chromium excretion reflects absorption of the previous one to two days.

Chromium enhances utilization of insulin, resulting in improved burning of glucose. Chromium is involved in maintaining blood sugar levels and energy levels. It is also associated with cholesterol regulation.

Hair Chromium is a good indicator of tissue levels and may provide a better indication of status than do urine or blood/serum.

Chromium is generally accepted as an essential trace element that is required for maintenance of normal glucose and cholesterol levels; it potentiates insulin fucnction. 

Deficiency conditions may include hyperglycemia, transient hyper/hypoglycemia, fatigue, accelerated atherosclerogenesis, elevated LDL cholesterol, increased need for insulin and diabetes-like symptoms, and impaired stress responses. 

A high hair chromium (Cr) level is likely to indicate excess exposure to Cr. Hair Cr levels do not appear to be affected by permanent solutions, dyes, or bleaches, but external contamination is possible. Trivalent Cr is considered to be an essential trace element with a low order of toxicity. Cr toxicity via oral ingestion is not likely. However, it is noteworthy that excessive self-supplementation has been reported to be associated with insomnia and increased unpleasant dream activity in some individuals (J. Nutr. Med.; 3(43), 1992).

Phytates decrease oral assimilation of Cr+3, whereas nicotinic acid and vitamin C increase absorption of Cr+3, zinc, vanadium and iron compete with Cr for absorption. In contrast, hexavalent Cr compounds are considerably more toxic and are primarily absorbed via inhalation as a result of industrial exposure. Industrial exposure to high amounts of Cr has been reported to be associated with allergic dermatitis, skin ulcers, bronchitis, and lung and nasal carcinoma. Elevated hair Cr levels have also been observed in patients with cerebral thrombosis and cerebral hemorrhage.

Chromium occurs in primarily two states, trivalent chromium (chromium 3) typically found in foods and hexavalent chromium (chromium 6) typically found in industrial sources and pollutants. Chromium 3 is much less toxic than chromium 6. The body can detoxify some amount of chromium 6 to chromium 3 using glutathione, hydrogen peroxide, glutathione reductase, and ascorbic acid. Few serious adverse effects have been linked to high intakes of chromium 3, so no UL (= upper limit) has been established for chromium 3. Overexposure to chromium 6 can occur in welders and other workers in the metallurgical industry, use of chromium-containing paints and primers, individuals with metallic surgical implants, individuals who ingest chromium salts. Chromium toxicity can occur via oral, inhaled, or dermal absorption. Chromium toxicity, depending upon route of exposure, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, skin lesions, sinus, nasal and lung cancer, renal failure, liver damage, circulatory collapse, coma and death.

The Chromium, Plasma test is a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing chromium levels in the body. It plays a critical role in monitoring both deficiency and toxicity, particularly in individuals with metabolic disorders, those at risk of environmental exposure, or those undergoing chromium supplementation therapy. Understanding the results in the context of the patient’s clinical presentation is key to managing chromium-related health issues effectively.

Chromogranin-A (CgA) is an acidic glycoprotein expressed in the secretory granules of most normal and neoplastic neuroendocrine (NE) cell types, where it is released together with peptide hormones and biogenic amines. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a form of cancer that differ from other neoplasia in that they synthesize, store, and secrete peptides, e.g., CgA and amines. CgA is secreted from neuroendocrine-derived tumors including foregut, midgut and hindgut gastrointestinal NETs, pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, some pituitary tumors, functioning and non-functioning pancreatic NETs.

Chymotrypsin is a protein-digesting enzyme secreted by the pancreas. It is useful in monitoring if you have moderate to severe pancreatic dysfunction. When you have symptoms such as persistent diarrhea; foul-smelling, bulky, greasy stools; malnutrition; malabsorption; and vitamin deficiency and pancreatic insufficiency is suspected.

Cilantro and Coriander come from the same plant, but the tastes are very different. If you find you are allergic to cilantro, you are very likely to be allergic to Coriander as well. Cilantro is the leaves and stems, while Coriander is the seeds from the plant flowers. Cilantro is found in many Asian and Mexican dishes such as sauces, salsa, and pesto.

Elevated antibody levels can be clinically significant — while the antibodies themselves don’t destroy anything, they do trigger an inflammatory response that can cause significant destruction of tissue and resulting symptoms. This response is not necessarily dependent on antibody levels. However, an equivocal result may mean you are just beginning to exhibit an immune reaction, so this is an important time to take measures to support the body in damping immune reactivity.

Citric acid, cis-aconitic acid, and isocitric acid are the first three metabolites in the Krebs Citric Acid energy production cycle, which operates in the mitochondria of your cells. 

Citrate, cis-Aconitate (and Isocitrate) are involved in both energy production and removal of toxic ammonia.

High levels can indicate ammonia toxicity. Chronic loss of these valuable compounds can contribute to loss of organ reserve and disturbances in neurological function. If they are low they can indicate a need for essential amino acids, especially arginine.

Nutrient association: Arginine, Iron

cis-Aconitate is involved in both energy production and removal of toxic ammonia.

cis-Aconitate is involved in both energy production and removal of toxic ammonia.

Cis-Aconitic Acid is involved in both energy production and removal of toxic ammonia.