Cr3+ vesus Cr6+ : Which One Best For Health?

Trivalent chromium, or some people might known it as Cr3+ (3 because it is tri- in its prefix) is the one exists within GT&F Products. But there are many outsiders who have yet know about these magnificent products, and at times, they would relate the products with another type of chromium, which is known as hexavalent chromium, or Cr6+. Which in contrast, hexavalent chromium is hazardous to human health. It is especially linked strongly to lung cancer as it is a genotoxic carcinogens.


Eye Research Laboratories, University of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Received 20 November 1964. Available online 25 September 2006. The effects of trivalent chromium and insulin upon the glucose utilization of isolated rat lenses were studied. It was found that trace amounts of trivalent chromium are essential for the stimulatory effect that insulin exerts upon glucose metabolism of the lens. The significance of the findings is discussed.

This investigation was supported in part by a PHS research grant (AM-06966) from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, U.S. Public Health Service.

Their preliminary studies have demonstrated that the ketone body acetoacetate (AA) can generate superoxide radicals and increase secretion of IL-6 and TNF-a in a cell culture model using U937 monocytes; that oxidative stress and levels of IL-6 and TNF-a are higher in the blood of hyperketonemic compared with normoketonemic type 1 diabetic patients; and that chromium (Cr3+) inhibits the secretion of TNF-a and IL-6 caused by AA in a cell culture model. This proposal has two hypotheses. The first is that ketosis increases blood levels of markers of vascular inflammation in type 1 diabetes. The second is that Cr3+ supplementation can prevent/lower blood levels of vascular inflammation markers in type 1 diabetes.


BUT, Hexavalent chromium can be found in either surface or groundwater sources, and those sources can either be man-made or natural. Marhaba, a professor and chairman of the department of civil and environmental engineering and director of the New Jersey Applied Water Research Center at NJIT, advised that by installing a five-stage reverse osmosis home unit which could effectively filter these hazardous hexavalent chromium.

Minimizing the Use of Hexavalent Chromium.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), exposure to Cr6+ may cause cancer in the lungs, kidneys and intestines, irritation or damage to the respiratory system, and irritation or damage to the eyes and skin.

On Feb. 28, 2006, OSHA lowered the regulatory permissible exposure limit of workers to Cr6+ from 50 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m3) of air to 5 mg/ m3 of air. Additionally, Cr6+ has been included on the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive since February 2003, which has reduced the use of Cr6+ in the European Union.

Substantial additional national and international restrictions and controls are anticipated for Cr6+’s future use and management. Cr6+ use has caused significant
issues in both industry and government operations.

Hexavalent Chromium Found In Tap Water Of 31 US. Cities.