Get Chromium: Avoid a First Heart Attack

September 18, 2005

Posted by Jean Carper

If you don’t get enough chromium, you could be in for a surprise–your first heart attack.

The mineral chromium has long been known to increase insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar and even improve the ratio of good HDL cholesterol to bad LDL cholesterol, theoretically lowering your risk of heart disease, as well as diabetes.

Now comes concrete evidence showing chromium may prevent heart attacks, according to a study by Johns Hopkins University researchers.

Researchers studied about 1400 men in 8 European countries and Israel who were hospitalized for a first heart attack. They measured the levels of chromium in the men’s toenails, a valid test of overall body chromium status.

Those with the most chromium had the lowest risk of heart attack. In fact, those with the most chromium were fully 40 % less apt to suffer a first heart attack. Researchers said this adds to increasing evidence that chromium is important for cardiovascular health, something some researchers have been saying for a decade.

Richard Anderson, Ph.D. a diabetes researcher at the US Department of Agriculture, on a recent Jean Carper Radio Show, advised all adults to take 200 mcg of chromium picolinate every day–and up to 1000 mcg if you are diabetic.

Source: Guallar, Am J Epidemiol 2005 Jul 15:162(2): 157-64 . Epub 2005 Jun 22

This EatSmart column is reprinted from USAWEEKEND Magazine and is copyrighted by Jean Carper. It cannot be reprinted without permission from Jean Carper.