The Nutritional Biochemistry of Chromium(III)

The new and updated second edition of The Nutritional Biochemistry of Chromium(III) reviews the fields of chromium biochemistry and nutrition, which have changed dramatically in the last ten years.  Since the first edition published in 2007, chromium has been determined to not be an essential trace element for mammals and humans, while new pharmacological relevance has been discovered.  Editor John Vincent has lead much of the research that has resulted in new discoveries and reversals of previously held beliefs. Health concerns existed that chromium(III) was toxic at nutritional doses ten years ago; now there is no upper tolerable limit for chromium and suggestions have been made that doses used in Cr supplementation could be safely increased an order of magnitude.  Chromium(III) addition to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was deemed essential ten years ago; now calls are appearing for the removal of chromium from TPN.  These changes in the field, among many others are covered in the new edition, which is an essential reference for bioinorganic chemists, toxicologists, pharmacologists and nutritionists studying chromium and looking for the most up-to-date reference in the field.

New to this edition:

A review of new evidence showing why chromium may not be an essential element, and details why national recommendations may need updatingNew data on the use of chromium supplementation in animal feeds, including the expansion of supplementation to include cattle and poultryA discussion of the controversial topic of the role for chromium(III) at the molecular level in insulin signallingNew information on cell cultures and in vitro assays of chromium toxicity, which have been a source of controversy and conflicting results have been obtained

Examines all of the significant research surrounding chromium, providing both sides of controversial issuesFeatures new evidence showing why chromium may not be an essential element, and details why national recommendations may need updatingEdited by the leading expert in the field of chromium, with new contributions from leaders in the different aspects of chromium research

1. Introduction: A History of Chromium Studies 2. Basis for Dietary Recommendations for Chromium 3. Why Chromium May Not be Essential 4. Effects of Chromium(III) as a Nutritional Supplement 5. Use of Chromium as an Animal Feed Supplement 6. The Transport of Chromium(III) in the Body: Implications for Function 7. Potential and Purported Roles for Chromium in Insulin Signaling 8. Clinical Effect of Chromium Supplements on Human Health 9. Benefits of Chromium(III) Complexes in Animal and Human Health 10. Evaluation of Cr(III) Genotoxicity with cell Culture and In Vitro Assays 11. Redox Chemistry and Biological Activities of Chromium(III) Complexes 12. Overview of Cr(III) Toxicity 13. Summary: The Clinical and Nutritional Importance of Chromium