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Chromium Health Benefits
Chromium health benefits may include help with BPH because of an association between chromium, diabetes, overweight, and BPH. More specifically, chromium has a critical role in helping the body use sugar efficiently, while also assisting in the breakdown of protein and fats.
Chromium has a relationship with prostate health through sugar. That is, men who have high blood sugar (diabetics) and who are overweight are at increased risk of suffering from an enlarged prostate, or BPH. This fact is illustrated in a study from the University of California San Diego which showed that men with diabetes were more than twice as likely to have prostate enlargement as compared to men without diabetes. (Parsons 2008)
Prostate enlargement is also three times higher among men who have high blood sugar and 3.5 times higher among obese men. Chromium health benefits come into play because supplementation is considered an important tool against diabetes and obesity. Many people have low levels or are deficient in chromium. One reason is that consumption of refined sugar depletes chromium levels in the body. Therefore, it is wise to consider chromium health benefits if you are overweight and/or have diabetes and/or have BPH.
No RDA has been established for chromium. However, the generally suggested intake is 50 to 200 micrograms daily for adults. Supplements are available as tablets and capsules. You can best enjoy chromium health benefits if you take the recommended form, which is chromium picolinate. This form is more easily absorbed and utilized by the body than are chromium chloride or nicotinate. The amount of chromium in foods is highly variable, but some of the best known sources are broccoli, whole grains, grape juice, and bran cereals.
Reference
Parsons JK, Bergstrom J, Barrett-Connor E. Lipids, lipoproteins, and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia in community-dwelling men. BJU Int 2008 Feb; 101(3): 318-18.
