Low levels of the mineral chromium in the body are associated with increased heart attacks according to a new study in the current American Journal of Epidemiology.
There was much other information provided by the study researchers about chromium including:
- Chromium deficiency leads to blood sugar problems
- Chromium levels decline almost 10 per cent per decade of life
- Chromium is important for carbohydrate and fat metabolism
Further study by the research team on U.S. adult chromium intake noted that for "a substantial proportion of subjects" dietary levels "may be well below" amounts considered adequate.
Monkeying around
Five years ago chromium intake was discovered to be substantially less than had been determined more than 30 years prior had. The Institute of Monkeysedicine (IOM) took a "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" approach on this matter.
The Institute of Madnessedicine decided to dramatically reduce recommended dietary intake of chromium rather than sound a warning about its serious decline in U.S. diets.
The IOM is the primary advisor paid attention to by the U.S. government so their recommendation was accepted, published and promoted.
That makes doubly frightening these current findings that chromium intake may be well below those new guidelines.
From monkeys to ostriches
The connection of heart problems to low levels of chromium was reported as largely unknown in the current "news" story. That is only because of the "head in the sand" approach by mainstream science researchers.
More than 30 years ago the case for chromium deficiency and heart disease was substantially developed by noted research scholar Dr. Henry Alfred Schroeder. The background of Dr. Schroeder included receiving the highest award from the American Heart Association.
All the current findings (and more) were detailed by Dr. Schroeder more than 30 years ago. The extensive research of Dr. Schroeder on chromium and heart disease has been largely ignored ever since that time.
Birdbrains?
The current researchers still have their heads at least half in the sand as they cautioned against chromium supplementation until "considerably more evidence"is provided "as well as to show the long-term safety of chromium supplementation in humans."
The excitement generated by chromium research more than 30 years ago brought about safety studies for chromium intake at that time. Chromium was tested up to 10,000 micrograms daily with no adverse effects. That was such a ridiculously high amount that no further testing was done to determine a harmful level. Admittedly, that was before the advent of chromium picolinate in the marketplace which has been noted as potentially harmful at much lower levels than that.
Trying to make a monkey out of you
The attitude of mainstream science researchers with regard to nutrients is commonly one of "don't try this at home -- leave it to the professionals". This is for two reasons.
First, they want plenty of money over a long haul to research i.e. job security. The second is related to the first. If you start taking responsibility for your own health and find that nutrition works then there will be no more millions for research i.e. job security again.
Finally for now …
A very important item to note is that chromium supplements are dramatically more effective when in a whole food form that is grown rather than synthesized. Manmade forms are dramatically less effective.
