What Is Chromium?

[dropcap]C hromium is a mineral that the body absolutely requires in trace amounts for normal metabolism, meaning the physical and chemical processes by which energy is produced and used.

Chromium is especially involved in the use of glucose sugar and lipids such as cholesterol and the effectiveness of insulin hormone.

Q: How is chromium involved in the use of glucose?

A: Very small amounts of chromium are required to enable insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream into cells for use as energy.

Insulin is a hormone that controls the use and storage of glucose in two ways: 1) lowers a rise of glucose in blood after meals by moving it out of the bloodstream into body cells, especially muscle cells and 2) limits the release of glucose from the liver between meals. Insulin is produced by beta cells on the surface of the pancreas.

To date, the molecular mechanism by which chromium affects glucose and lipid metabolism is still unclear.¹

What Is Chromium Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Lewicki S, Zdanowski R, Krzyżowska M, Lewicka A, Dębski B, Niemcewicz M, Goniewicz M. The role of Chromium III in the organism and its possible use in diabetes and obesity treatment. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2014 Jun 10;21(2):331-335. [↩]

An immune disorder characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa by an immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody reaction.

A respiratory disorder characterized by narrowing and inflammation of the lung airways as an inherited immune response to an allergen.

A break in skeletal bone.

Inflammatory bowel disorder characterized by microscopic inflammation of the large intestine consisting predominantly of lymphocytic infiltration and a thickened subepithelial collagen band (beneath the surface).

A psychiatric condition characterized by abnormal social relations and is more characteristic of the classical infantile-onset CD, probably caused by nutritional deficits and toxic effects of severe malabsorption.

What Is Iron?

[dropcap]I ron is an essential mineral that is required for normal body function.

Almost two-thirds of iron in the body is found in hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues. Smaller amounts of iron are found in myoglobin, a protein that helps supply oxygen to muscle, and in enzymes that assist biochemical reactions.

Iron is also found in proteins that store iron for future needs and that transport iron in blood.

Q: How are iron stores regulated?

A:Iron stores are regulated by intestinal iron absorption.¹That is, whenever iron is needed, more iron is absorbed than when iron is sufficient. This mechanism prevents excess iron in the body which is harmful.

In the brain, iron is necessary to ensure oxygenation and to produce energy in the cerebral parenchyma (via cytochrome oxid. ase), and for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and myelin.

Iron concentrations in the umbilical artery are critical during the development of the fetus, and in relation with the IQ in the child.²

What Is Iron Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional accessed 12/11/12 [↩]
2. Bourre JM. Effects of nutrients (in food) on the structure and function of the nervous system: update on dietary requirements for brain. Part 1: micronutrients. J Nutr Health Aging. 2006 Sep-Oct; 10(5):377-85. [↩]

A cutaneous condition resulting from an immune response that is characterized by sudden hair loss involving scalp or beard although any hairy area may be affected.

A cerebellar degeneration characterized by motor abnormalities and which is caused by an immune response to the food protein gluten.

A degenerative condition characterized by loss of brain tissue.