Chromium is a trace mineral that has not gotten its due importance in weight loss and health circles yet. Unknown to many, this trace element in its trivalent form is needed by the human body in micro amounts to run various important bodily functions and therefore chromium deficiency can impair a lot of functions including the inability to lose weight. We already know that insulin resistance is a major roadblock that can hamper weight loss and when the diet lacks the required chromium, it predisposes a person to develop insulin resistance. That’s why the right nutrition is extremely important for weight loss, food that is packed with nutrients help the body to function smoothly even while shedding extra pounds. There are no concrete studies yet available linking major weight loss benefits with chromium, but still, when you consider how chromium is needed for glucose, protein, carbs, and fat metabolism, the significance of this mineral cannot be overlooked. Though chromium-rich food cannot alone make weight loss happen, it can boost weight loss efforts. In this post, we will explain in detail how chromium rich food helps with weight loss.
Benefits of Chromium in Diet:
1. Improves insulin sensitivity.
2. Prevents loose skin that happens with weight loss.
3. Improves metabolism.
4. Improves carb, protein, fat metabolism.
Symptoms of Chromium Deficiency:
1. Anxiety.
2. Low energy, fatigue
3. Weight gain.
4. Insulin resistance.
5. Changes in appetite.
How Chromium Rich Food Helps with Weight Loss?
While we all know that insulin is a hormone that regulates glucose metabolism, it is also a hormone that triggers fat storage. Elaborating it further, whenever there is glucose in the bloodstream through carbs (Signs that you are Eating Too Many Carbs), sugars, and refined food intake, insulin is pumped by the pancreas to metabolize the glucose and when there is too much glucose in the blood, the body comes under stress to pump out more and more insulin, and with repeated stress, body cells stop responding to the efforts of insulin and do not let glucose particles to enter them. This situation is called insulin resistance and when excess glucose flows along with the blood, insulin triggers the conversion of glucose as fat droplets that get stored in the body, leading to weight gain.
We already know that with insulin resistance, losing weight becomes an uphill task. And that’s because when glucose queues up to enter resistant body cells and insulin is pumped out to assist with the process, the cells do not respond, and the excess glucose roams around, which is converted to fat by insulin. In such a situation, chromium moves into action and thrusts glucose into the cell despite the resistance. And if there’s not enough chromium in the body, insulin is unable to push through glucose into the cells and instead, sends them to be stored as fat. The daily recommended intake of chromium for men is around 35 mcg and for women 25 mcg.
Therefore, it’s important to take in the daily recommended dosage of chromium through diet to lose weight by improving insulin resistance, and to prevent fat cells from forming. Adequate chromium would ensure that glucose molecules enter body cells when insulin comes knocking.
Below, we have listed 20 Foods rich in chromium and the amazing thing is Rati Beauty weight loss diets include these food sources extensively in their diets. Download the app on your phone for more details.
20 Foods Rich in Chromium:
1. Oats
2. Potatoes
3. Broccoli
4. All beans
5. Romaine Lettuce
6. Black Pepper
7. Barley
8. Tomatoes
9. Garlic
10. Apples
11. Green beans
12. Mushrooms
13. Cinnamon
14. Egg yolk
15. Cheese
16. Capsicum
17. Basil
18. Spinach
19. Brewer’s yeast
20. Brown rice
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