What outcome may result from chromium deficiency?

• A. Hyperglycemia
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Hyperinsulinemia
• D. Hypolipidemia

Answer: (A)

Chromium helps insulin work more effectively and promotes glucose uptake into muscle and fat tissues. When chromium is deficient, insulin signaling is less efficient, so tissues don’t respond as well to insulin. That impaired glucose disposal leads to higher levels of glucose in the blood, especially after meals, producing hyperglycemia. The pancreas may compensate by secreting more insulin (hyperinsulinemia), but the observable metabolic consequence most directly tied to chromium deficiency is elevated blood glucose. Hypoglycemia wouldn’t be expected because the problem is reduced glucose uptake, not excessive glucose removal. While insulin resistance can affect lipids, low lipid levels aren’t the typical outcome, so hypolipidemia isn’t expected.