The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy: Chromium
Description
The evidence for chromium (Cr) as an essential trace mineral in animals
was obtained in rats fed a Torula yeast-based diet. They developed
abnormal glucose tolerance that could be reversed by supplements of
brewer's yeast, thought to contain a glucose tolerance factor.
Trivalent chromium (CrCl3) was later reported to be the
active factor in brewer's yeast. Further, it was reported that chromium
formed a complex with insulin that enhanced insulin's activity.
However, the relevance of animal studies of chromium deficiency to the
effects of chromium in humans remains controversial.
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