There are several uses of the term chromium , whose etymological origin is found in the Latin word chrôma (which can be translated as “color” ). The concept may refer to the chemical element with atomic number 24 .
Chromium, in this sense, is a metal with little presence in the Earth 's crust. It is a shiny element, white or silver in color, usually found as oxide and, thanks to its ability to resist corrosion, it is used to protect other metals. The process of applying a layer of chromium on another metal is called chrome plating .
With the symbol Cr , chromium is hard although it breaks easily. Its salts can be used as mordants (to fix colors), while its oxides and chromates are used in paints.
In the field of health and nutrition, chromium is known to play an important role in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, in addition to regulating blood sugar levels. In other words, we must have this mineral for insulin to act correctly in the cells.
Another property of chromium is its anticoagulant action, in addition to preventing arteriosclerosis, an alteration due to which the walls of the arteries harden, lose elasticity and increase in thickness. Likewise, it reduces the degree of obstruction of blood vessels, so that it also prevents serious disorders such as thrombosis, stroke and angina, among others.
Diabetes patients can achieve greater stability in their blood sugar levels if they consume chromium supplements, or if they eat products in which it is abundant, such as broccoli, barley, walnuts and apples.
Since chromium also helps increase muscle mass, reduce fat volume, and general strengthen the body, some sports enthusiasts consume it in the form of supplements. In the bodybuilding arena, this is becoming more and more popular. On the other hand, it is important to note that these properties have not been scientifically proven.
A large number of studies suggest that a high percentage of the Western population has a chromium deficiency due to not eating enough foods that contain it in abundance. In addition to the products mentioned above, brewer's yeast is another that can provide benefits in this context, although especially for people with diabetes.
Having low levels of chromium can lead to poor absorption of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, which then usually leads to weight loss or cholesterol problems. Other disorders that can arise from this are fractures, muscle tears, inability to heal, and growth problems.
Chrome is also a compositional element that alludes to color . Chromolithograph , in this framework, is a technique that consists of lithography with different colors. The chromosphere , for its part, is the area of the gaseous layer that covers the Sun that is characterized by its reddish tone.
The notion of chromium can also be derived from chromolithography. This is the name of the cardboard , card or stamp , known in some regions as a figurine, which displays colorful figures and is used by children to collect or play.
The stickers can be self-adhesive so that the kids can stick them in an album . These albums have numbered spaces: when the child gets the sticker with the corresponding number, they must paste it and fill in the space . Completing the album in this way is a challenge.