Chromium is a mineral that humans require in trace amounts, although its mechanisms of action in the body and the amounts needed for optimal health are not well defined. It is found primarily in two forms: 1) trivalent (chromium 3+), which is biologically active and found in food, and 2) hexavalent (chromium 6+), a toxic form that results from industrial pollution. This fact sheet focuses exclusively on trivalent (3+) chromium.
Chromium is known to enhance the action of insulin [1-3], a hormone critical to the metabolism and storage of carbohydrate, fat, and protein in the body [4]. In 1957, a compound in brewers' yeast was found to prevent an age-related decline in the ability of rats to maintain normal levels of sugar (glucose) in their blood [3]. Chromium was identified as the active ingredient in this so-called "glucose tolerance factor" in 1959 [5].
Chromium also appears to be directly involved in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism [1-2,6-11], but more research is needed to determine the full range of its roles in the body. The challenges to meeting this goal include:
Defining the types of individuals who respond to chromium supplementation;
Evaluating the chromium content of foods and its bioavailability;
Determining if a clinically relevant chromium-deficiency state exists in humans due to inadequate dietary intakes; and
Developing valid and reliable measures of chromium status [9].
Table of Contents
Chromium: What is it?
What foods provide chromium?
What are recommended intakes of chromium?
What affects chromium levels in the body?
When can a chromium deficiency occur?
Who may need extra chromium?
What are some current issues and controversies about chromium?
What are the health risks of too much chromium?
Chromium and medication interactions
Supplemental sources of chromium
Chromium and Healthful Diets
References
Disclaimer
What foods provide chromium?
Chromium is widely distributed in the food supply, but most foods provide only small amounts (less than 2 micrograms [mcg] per serving). Meat and whole-grain products, as well as some fruits, vegetables, and spices are relatively good sources [12]. In contrast, foods high in simple sugars (like sucrose and fructose) are low in chromium [13].
Dietary intakes of chromium cannot be reliably determined because the content of the mineral in foods is substantially affected by agricultural and manufacturing processes and perhaps by contamination with chromium when the foods are analyzed [10,12,14]. Therefore, Table 1, and food-composition databases generally, provide approximate values of chromium in foods that should only serve as a guide.
Table 1: Selected food sources of chromium [12,15-16] Food Chromium (mcg)
Broccoli, ½ cup 11
Grape juice, 1 cup 8
English muffin, whole wheat, 1 4
Potatoes, mashed, 1 cup 3
Garlic, dried, 1 teaspoon 3
Basil, dried, 1 tablespoon 2
Beef cubes, 3 ounces 2
Orange juice, 1 cup 2
Turkey breast, 3 ounces 2
Whole wheat bread, 2 slices 2
Red wine, 5 ounces 1–13
Apple, unpeeled, 1 medium 1
Banana, 1 medium 1
Green beans, ½ cup 1
What are recommended intakes of chromium?
Recommended chromium intakes are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) developed by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences [14]. Dietary Reference Intakes is the general term for a set of reference values to plan and assess the nutrient intakes of healthy people. These values include the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and the Adequate Intake (AI). The RDA is the average daily intake that meets a nutrient requirement of nearly all (97 to 98%) healthy individuals [14]. An AI is established when there is insufficient research to establish an RDA; it is generally set at a level that healthy people typically consume.
In 1989, the National Academy of Sciences established an "estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake" range for chromium. For adults and adolescents that range was 50 to 200 mcg [17]. In 2001, DRIs for chromium were established. The research base was insufficient to establish RDAs, so AIs were developed based on average intakes of chromium from food as found in several studies [14]. Chromium AIs are provided in Table 2.
Table 2: Adequate Intakes (AIs) for chromium [14] Age Infants and children
(mcg/day) Males
(mcg/day) Females
(mcg/day) Pregnancy
(mcg/day) Lactation
(mcg/day)
0 to 6 months 0.2
7 to 12 months 5.5
1 to 3 years 11
4 to 8 years 15
9 to 13 years 25 21
14 to 18 years 35 24 29 44
19 to 50 years 35 25 30 45
>50 years 30 20
mcg = micrograms
Adult women in the United States consume about 23 to 29 mcg of chromium per day from food, which meets their AIs unless they're pregnant or lactating. In contrast, adult men average 39 to 54 mcg per day, which exceeds their AIs [14].
The average amount of chromium in the breast milk of healthy, well-nourished mothers is 0.24 mcg per quart, so infants exclusively fed breast milk obtain about 0.2 mcg (based on an estimated consumption of 0.82 quarts per day) [14]. Infant formula provides about 0.5 mcg of chromium per quart [18]. No studies have compared how well infants absorb and utilize chromium from human milk and formula [10,14].
What affects chromium levels in the body?
Absorption of chromium from the intestinal tract is low, ranging from less than 0.4% to 2.5% of the amount consumed [19-25], and the remainder is excreted in the feces [1,23]. Enhancing the mineral's absorption are vitamin C (found in fruits and vegetables and their juices) and the B vitamin niacin (found in meats, poultry, fish, and grain products) [26]. Absorbed chromium is stored in the liver, spleen, soft tissue, and bone [27].
The body's chromium content may be reduced under several conditions. Diets high in simple sugars (comprising more than 35% of calories) can increase chromium excretion in the urine [13]. Infection, acute exercise, pregnancy and lactation, and stressful states (such as physical trauma) increase chromium losses and can lead to deficiency, especially if chromium intakes are already low [28-29].
When can a chromium deficiency occur?
In the 1960s, chromium was found to correct glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in deficient animals, two indicators that the body is failing to properly control blood-sugar levels and which are precursors of type 2 diabetes [1]. However, reports of actual chromium deficiency in humans are rare. Three hospitalized patients who were fed intravenously showed signs of diabetes (including weight loss, neuropathy, and impaired glucose tolerance) until chromium was added to their feeding solution. The chromium, added at doses of 150 to 250 mcg/day for up to two weeks, corrected their diabetes symptoms [7,30-31]. Chromium is now routinely added to intravenous solutions.
Who may need extra chromium?
There are reports of significant age-related decreases in the chromium concentrations of hair, sweat and blood [32], which might suggest that older people are more vulnerable to chromium depletion than younger adults [14]. One cannot be sure, however, as chromium status is difficult to determine [33]. That's because blood, urine, and hair levels do not necessarily reflect body stores [9,14]. Furthermore, no chromium-specific enzyme or other biochemical marker has been found to reliably assess a person's chromium status [9,34].
There is considerable interest in the possibility that supplemental chromium may help to treat impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, but the research to date is inconclusive. No large, randomized, controlled clinical trials testing this hypothesis have been reported in the United States [14]. Nevertheless, this is an active area of research.
What are some current issues and controversies about chromium?
Chromium has long been of interest for its possible connection to various health conditions. Among the most active areas of chromium research are its use in supplement form to treat diabetes, lower blood lipid levels, promote weight loss, and improve body composition.
Type 2 diabetes and glucose intolerance
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin but, for unknown reasons, the body cannot use the insulin effectively. The disease typically occurs, in part, because the cells comprising muscle and other tissues become resistant to insulin's action, especially among the obese. Insulin permits the entry of glucose into most cells, where this sugar is used for energy, stored in the liver and muscles (as glycogen), and converted to fat when present in excess. Insulin resistance leads to higher than normal levels of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia).
Chromium deficiency impairs the body's ability to use glucose to meet its energy needs and raises insulin requirements. It has therefore been suggested that chromium supplements might help to control type 2 diabetes or the glucose and insulin responses in persons at high risk of developing the disease. A review of randomized controlled clinical trials evaluated this hypothesis [35]. This meta-analysis assessed the effects of chromium supplements on three markers of diabetes in the blood: glucose, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin (which provides a measure of long-term glucose levels; also known as hemoglobin A1C). It summarized data from 15 trials on 618 participants, of which 425 were in good health or had impaired glucose tolerance and 193 had type 2 diabetes. Chromium supplementation had no effect on glucose or insulin concentrations in subjects without diabetes nor did it reduce these levels in subjects with diabetes, except in one study. However, that study, conducted in China (in which 155 subjects with diabetes were given either 200 or 1,000 mcg/day of chromium or a placebo) might simply show the benefits of supplementation in a chromium-deficient population.
Overall, the value of chromium supplements for diabetes is inconclusive and controversial [36]. Randomized controlled clinical trials in well-defined, at-risk populations where dietary intakes are known are necessary to determine the effects of chromium on markers of diabetes [35]. The American Diabetes Association states that there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of chromium to improve glycemic control in people with diabetes [37]. It further notes that there is no clear scientific evidence that vitamin and mineral supplementation benefits people with diabetes who do not have underlying nutritional deficiencies.
Lipid metabolism
The effects of chromium supplementation on blood lipid levels in humans are also inconclusive [1,8,38]. In some studies, 150 to 1,000 mcg/day has decreased total and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increased concentrations of apolipoprotein A (a component of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol known as HDL or "good" cholesterol) in subjects with atherosclerosis or elevated cholesterol or among those taking a beta-blocker drug [39-41]. These findings are consistent with the results of earlier studies [42-45].
However, chromium supplements have shown no favorable effects on blood lipids in other studies [46-51]. The mixed research findings may be due to difficulties in determining the chromium status of subjects at the start of the trials and the researchers' failure to control for dietary factors that influence blood lipid levels [9-10].
Body weight and composition
Chromium supplements are sometimes claimed to reduce body fat and increase lean (muscle) mass. Yet a recent review of 24 studies that examined the effects of 200 to 1,000 mcg/day of chromium (in the form of chromium picolinate) on body mass or composition found no significant benefits [11]. Another recent review of randomized, controlled clinical trials did find supplements of chromium picolinate to help with weight loss when compared wtth placebos, but the differences were small and of debatable clinical relevance [52]. In several studies, chromium's effects on body weight and composition may be called into question because the researchers failed to adequately control for the participants' food intakes. Furthermore, most studies included only a small number of subjects and were of short duration [36].
What are the health risks of too much chromium?
Few serious adverse effects have been linked to high intakes of chromium, so the Institute of Medicine has not established a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for this mineral [10,14]. A UL is the maximum daily intake of a nutrient that is unlikely to cause adverse health effects. It is one of the values (together with the RDA and AI) that comprise the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for each nutrient.
Chromium and medication interactions
Certain medications may interact with chromium, especially when taken on a regular basis (see Table 3). Before taking dietary supplements, check with your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider, especially if you take prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Table 3: Interactions between chromium and medications [14,53-55] Medications Nature of interaction
Antacids
Corticosteroids
H2 blockers (such as cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, and rantidine)
Proton-pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole)
These medications alter stomach acidity and may impair chromium absorption or enhance excretion
Beta-blockers (such as atenolol or propanolol)
Corticosteroids
Insulin
Nicotinic acid
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
Prostaglandin inhibitors (such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, piroxicam, and aspirin)
These medications may have their effects enhanced if taken together with chromium or they may increase chromium absorption
Supplemental sources of chromium
Chromium is a widely used supplement. Estimated sales to consumers were $85 million in 2002, representing 5.6% of the total mineral-supplement market [56]. Chromium is sold as a single-ingredient supplement as well as in combination formulas, particularly those marketed for weight loss and performance enhancement. Supplement doses typically range from 50 to 200 mcg.
The safety and efficacy of chromium supplements need more investigation. Please consult with a doctor or other trained healthcare professional before taking any dietary supplements.
Chromium supplements are available as chromium chloride, chromium nicotinate, chromium picolinate, high-chromium yeast, and chromium citrate. Chromium chloride in particular appears to have poor bioavailability [36]. However, given the limited data on chromium absorption in humans, it is not clear which forms are best to take.
Chromium and Healthful Diets
The federal government's 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans notes that "nutrients should come primarily from foods. Foods in nutrient-dense, mostly intact forms contain not only the essential vitamins and minerals that are often contained in nutrient supplements, but also dietary fiber and other naturally occurring substances that may have positive health effects. ...Dietary supplements...may be advantageous in specific situations to increase intake of a specific vitamin or mineral."
For more information about building a healthful diet, refer to the Dietary Guidelines for Americansexternal link icon and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food guidance system, MyPlateexternal link icon.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans describes a healthy diet as one that:
Emphasizes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
Whole grain products and certain fruits and vegetables like broccoli, potatoes, grape juice, and oranges are sources of chromium. Ready-to-eat bran cereals can also be a relatively good source of chromium.
Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
Lean beef, oysters, eggs, and turkey are sources of chromium.
Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
Stays within your daily calorie needs.
References
Mertz W. Chromium occurrence and function in biological systems. Physiol Rev 1969;49:163-239.
Mertz W. Chromium in human nutrition: a review. J Nutr 1993;123:626-33.
Mertz W. Interaction of chromium with insulin: a progress report. Nutr Rev 1998;56:174-7.
Porte Jr. D, Sherwin RS, Baron A (editors). Ellengerg & Rifkin's Diabetes Mellitus, 6th Edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, 2003.
Schwarz K, Mertz W. Chromium(III) and the glucose tolerance factor. Arch Biochem Biophys 1959;85:292-5.
A group of Japanese neurologists try utmost to use brain scan technology of individuals when they are asleep in order to discover decoder of human dreams. Benefiting from functional magnetic resonance imaging method (FMRI), Yukiatso et al scanned brains of three persons. Simultaneously, they make electroencephalograph (EEG) of the brains of the said persons. Whenever said researchers observed a sign of the first phases of dreaming in EEG of the said individuals, they awakened the said persons asking them what they had seen in their dreams a few seconds before. Then, they allowed the said persons to sleep once again. This process repeated for 7-10 times in different days for each candidate within a time lapse of three hours. Finally, the researchers could record 200 dreams on average for each candidate. Apparently, most of dreams, recorded in form of this test, reflected daily experiences of candidates. One of the candidates in the said test stated: “I dreamed of working at a bakery. I took a loaf of bread… then, I left the bakery, proceeding to street; I saw an individual who was taking photos”. Another candidate reported: “I saw a huge statute made of bronze…. On a small hill; there were a few houses down the said hill; there were also a few streets, with trees”. Some of dreams were strange including visitation of a superstar or attending a filming studio”. Using a language database under the name of “Word Net”, Kamitani et al could extra keywords from among verbal reports of candidates and classified the said keywords in twenty groups (Automobile, male, female, computer, etc). The said groups were classified, based on frequency of repetition of the said words in reported dreams. At the next stage, scientists prepared a few images of each group. Showing the said images to candidates, they got scan of brain of the said persons while watching the said images.
Comparing the operation of brain of the said individuals, while watching an image and corresponding one in their dreams, was the principal method, used for dream decoding by Japanese researchers. Consequently, in 2008, Yo Kia So et al announced that they could decode and remodel visual images, similar to activity of V1, V2 and V3 areas of brain. The said scientists are of this opinion that they could come up with another discovery; and studying activity of advanced parts of brain layer, they could precisely predict contents of dreams of individuals. Kamitani says: “We have developed a model through help of which it is possible to predict which group of our classification has been available in the dream of an individual. Moreover, for example, through study of brain activity of an individual within nine seconds before he awakens, we could say whether there has been a human in the dream of the individual or not, with a preciseness of 75-80%”. The above-named neurologist further added that respective tests contracted to this date, has not studied visual structure of dream of candidates: “The problem was the meaning of the said dreams. However, I still think of the possibility through which we could extract structural characteristics including appearance and contrast form the dreams of individuals, as we did the same in 2008”. The results of the said research have been presented during annual meeting of Neurology Association, held in last October in New Orleans State of America. Now, said research has also been published in scientific journal of “Science”. The authors of the said Article claimed that the two phenomena of “Dreaming” and “Visual perception” create similar neural presentations in advanced visual parts of brain. Kamitani emphasizes: “Due to excellent preciseness of dream decoding in a few ten seconds before awakening, one may come up with this conclusion that remembering dreams by an individual depends on his short-term memory”. Now, Kamitani and members of his team try utmost to collect similar data of rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep. It seems that this test is a bit difficult compared to the previous one because “We had to wait for at least one hour until the subject falls asleep and reaches this phase of deep sleep”. Finally, the above-named Japanese Neurologist implies: “I don’t have any personal desirable theory about function of dreams. However, I am sure that more knowledge obtained about contents of dreams and the relationship between the said contents and brain activity may assist us with perception of the said dreams accordingly”.
Consuming oil fish supplements reduces respective effects of air pollution.
Considering a study contracted earlier, it has been revealed that consuming oil fish supplements reduces the effects of air pollution on heart.
As reported by Environmental Health News website, air pollution is a combination of gases and particles of solid and liquid matters.
Billion individuals all over the world live in the places with severe air pollution.
Study of the people who are exposed to air pollution has revealed that existing micropollutants in air lead to various health problems such as asthma, cerebral stroke, arrhythmia and cardiac failure.
It is assumed that existing micropollutants in air cause level of lipid of body be changed. Moreover, there are different evidences confirming that the said micropollutants also increase risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortalities caused by the same.
This is the first study, which is contracted on the relationship between consuming oil fish supplements and retraction of the effects of air on heart. It is revealed that slight changes in daily diet may nullify some effects of air pollution on health.
Achievements of the said study are of great importance for the people who live in certain places of the world where severe air pollution exists.
The said study revealed that heartbeats and level of lipid of the individuals, who have consumed oil fish supplements for one month and exposed to air pollution have shown slight changes. Heartbeats and level of lipid are regarded as two scales for measurement of heart health.
In the aforesaid study, researchers divided 29 persons of 50-70 years old into two groups. One group was given olive oil supplement and another group was provided with fish oil supplement respectively.
The said persons live in the environment with severe air pollution.
The aforesaid individuals enjoyed perfect health and had no past diabetes, cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders. Moreover, the aforesaid persons didn’t smoke for at least one year.
According to the aforesaid study, after they were exposed to severe level of air pollution, heartbeats of the individuals who have consumed olive oil fish supplements have noticeably been decreased.
Moreover, researchers found that respective group, which has consumed olive oil, level of two kinds of lipids in the blood have increased after they were exposed to air pollution. While such increase has not been sensible in the group that has consumed fish oil supplements.
This is the first study revealing that consuming oil fish may reduce symptoms of cardiovascular disorders due to exposure to polluted air. The results of the said study are more reliable evidence, compared to other studies, which have been done in the said field so far, with respect to role of fish oil in reducing cardiovascular complications arising from air pollution.
The said achievements are of great importance for the people who live in cities and places where quality of air is undesirable.
Fish oil is full of unsaturated fatty acids of Omega 3, which prevents decrease of heartbeats due to exposure to polluted air, as it is said.
Decrease of heartbeats is associated with death and development of arrhythmia.
The results of the said study reveal that consuming fish oil capsules as a personal measure may be regarded as a cost-effective strategy for health protection.
The most popular drink among Iranians is tea. However, it has recently been found that coffee has achieved a place among Iranians as well. If we ignore superficial class, accompanied by coffee, it is better we have some information about its advantages. You may get surprised if you know that in the recent ten years 19000 case studies have been contracted on the advantages of coffee. The results of all studies are to the favor of coffee as well. There is a matter in coffee, which causes it could win all tests. The said matter is “Caffeine”. Considering equal quantity of coffee, tea and coca cola, coffee has as much as 3.5 times caffeine more than the rest.
Of course, it should be mentioned that some properties of coffee don’t associate with caffeine. There are huge quantities of antioxidants in caffeine namely Chlorogenic and Tocopherol, leading to some healing properties of caffeine accordingly. In addition, it has such minerals as Magnesium, which has been found that it may be effective in improvement of body response to insulin and correction of glucose metabolism as well. Japanese researchers have stated: “According to their achievement, drinking coffee every day by women shall decrease risk of uterus cancer among said women. A research team from Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor from Japan, through collaboration of Japanese researchers from To Ho Ku University, contracted a research on women in this regard.
As reported by N.H.K, Japans researchers stated that during their research they found that risk of development of uterus cancer among the women who drink two or more cups of coffee every day, compared to those who drink one or two cups of coffee every week, is reduced by 50%.
Moreover, researchers have also found that there is a relationship between drinking coffee and female sex hormones and does apparently affect age their menopause.
Professor Ki Yu Shi Ito, one of research members of To Ho Ku University stated: “Various combinations of coffee are correlated for reducing risk of cancer.
Ito also further added: “If this Japanese team designates which one of combinations of coffee has the greatest role in reducing risk of cancer, it shall be a great help for prevention of cancer and treatment of the said disease”.
Coriander is the dried seed of the cilantro plant. The whole seeds look like tiny round balls and are commonly ground into a powder and used for seasoning food.
Coriander has a multifaceted flavor profile and can be used in many types of recipes. It is most commonly found in Indian cuisine but can be paired with anything from salad dressing to barbecue rub.
This MNT Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods. It provides a nutritional breakdown of coriander and an in-depth look at its possible health benefits, how to incorporate more coriander into your diet and the potential health risks of consuming coriander.
Nutritional breakdown of coriander
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database1, two tablespoons of ground coriander seed contain 30 calories, 1.2 grams of protein, 1.8 grams of fat, and 5.6 grams of carbohydrates (including 4 grams of fiber and 0 grams of sugar). That same 2 tablespoon serving provides 68% of your daily vitamin K needs, 10% of iron, 8% of calcium, and 4% of vitamin C.
Possible health benefits of consuming coriander
Below we take a look at the possible health benefits of coriander.
Anticancer effects
Cilantro leaves and coriander seeds.
A study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that common spices - including coriander - can inhibit heterocyclic amine (HCA) formation in meats during cooking. HCAs, defined by the National Cancer Institute, are chemicals formed when meat is cooked at high temperatures.2 A high consumption of foods containing HCAs is associated with higher risk of cancer.
These anticancer effects were demonstrated further in a different study published in the Journal of Food Science, in which five Asian spices, including coriander, were used to cook meats. The meats cooked with those spices had a significant decrease in HCA formation.2
Carotenoids
Dietary carotenoids can decrease the risk of numerous conditions, including several cancers and eye disease, due to their role as antioxidants.3 A study published in Plant Foods for Human Nutrition showed that basil and coriander contained the highest levels of the carotenoids beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, all known for their antioxidant abilities.2
How to incorporate more coriander into your diet
A bowl of carrot and coriander soup.
Coriander has a versatile flavor profile and can be used in anything from dressings and sauces to meat rubs and even desserts.
Whole coriander seeds can be stored in airtight containers for 1-2 years and ground coriander seeds can be stored in airtight containers for 6 months.
Quick tips:
Add coriander into spice mixtures such as curry or barbecue rub
Make a homemade dressing using part oil, part vinegar and seasonings including coriander
Change up your go-to marinades by adding coriander.
It is necessary to eat foods and to provide nutrients for health. Further to the quality of consuming foodstuffs, they must undergo digestion and absorption process in body in order to be used. Digestive system complications may disturb the said process, reducing joy of eating. Common complaints are namely emphysema, refulx and feeling heaviness after having a meal, and nausea, which all are signs of Dyspepsia.
Usually, dyspepsia appears after eating and disappears within a few hours. Omitting foodstuff from one’s diet helps dyspepsia be obviated. For example, one may point out high fat foodstuffs, which are problematic for many persons. Dyspepsia, which takes long periods, is usually associated with generating stomach acid. Although it is possible that pyloric valve is weak or damaged, stomach acid liquid may reflect to esophagus and cause refulx. Emphysema and burping appear due to swallowing air while eating or eating quickly or drinking carbonated beverages.
Avoiding carbonated drinks, practicing for eating slowly, for example using a fork for eating, avoiding drinking water while eating, observing the interval between eating and sleeping, and reducing volume of consuming food in one meal shall help the aforesaid complications be obviated.
A few complications associated with dyspepsia, are originated from ulcer of stomach or duodenum. Sometimes dyspepsia is observed among a few persons, with no ulcer. The main cause of dyspepsia is complications of gallbladder or it is developed as a result of stress and other spiritual emotions, which are known as “Irritative Bowl Syndrome”.
Problems with excretion are bothering for individuals. The individuals, who suffer from constipation, are recommended use fiber for 30 grams every day through eating grains, fruits and vegetables. Moreover, for health and improvement of function of digestive system, one shouldn’t forget to drink eight glasses of water every day.
It has been known that one of the approached for treatment and obviation of dyspepsia is to use herb extracts. A various range of herb extracts almost obviates different complications of digestive system and subside respective complications. Some of herb extracts, with their usage, are presented to you as follows:
For esophageal reflex due to looseness of pyloric valve, Chamomile extract is useful.
Feeling heaviness and delay in digesting food are among bothering cases. Proteolytic enzymes such as bromelain, which exist in pineapple and papain that exists in Papaya expedite digestion of proteins. It is better the said enzymes be used 30-45 minutes before eating so that they help more desirable digestion of food in stomach. Fennel seeds are useful for treatment of cramping, emphysema and bloat. The said properties are due to existence of volatile oil named “Anethole” in the said seeds.
From among other medicinal herbs, one may point out ginger. Thanks to existence a huge quantity of volatile oil and scented essence named “Gingerol”, it is useful in treatment of dyspepsia. Using ginger in treatment of abdominal pains, nausea and diarrhea, dates back to four centuries before Christ birth. Ginger improves stomach movements and enjoys anti-spasm property. The said medicinal herb is also useful for obviating pregnancy nausea. Using ginger is not dangerous for mother and her fetus.
From among regional and traditional herbs of Iran, which are used for treatment and relief of emphysema, spasm and abdominal pains, one may name "Cumin". The said herb contains Carvone and Limonene. Moreover, scented ingredients of the said herb create anti-microbial property due to oil, which exists in its seed.
Aloe Vera has been introduced by FDA of America as an efficacious laxative compound, at the same level as “Coronilla”. It should be pointed out that the patients, suffering from renal disorders, are not recommended to use Aloe Vera.
Another natural compound, which is useful for health of bowl and digestive system is “fermented rice starch”, which is mostly used in Japan and East Asia. Nowadays, the said compound is provided for people all over the world in form of supplement. In fact, said compound is a kind of Probiotics and increase growth of useful and proper bacteria in bowl and eventually, it helps more desirable digestion of nutrients, leading to change of pH of bowl and improvement of intestinal environment accordingly.
Using the essence of the aforesaid herb altogether removes dyspepsia and it is effective for maintaining health of digestive system and eventually doubles joy of eating with no fear or stress about complications, which may occur after eating.