ID 261 - Chrom

PL: Chrom
EN: Chromium
Pdf: chromium

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is trivalent chromium Cr(III), which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. Trivalent chromium occurs naturally in foods in many forms and approximately 0.5-2 % is absorbed to be utilised by the body. Different forms of Cr(III) are authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20066 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC7). This evaluation applies to Cr(III) naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, trivalent chromium, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.4. Zmniejszenie zmęczenia (ID 261)

The claimed effect is “vitamin/mineral supplementation to reduce fatigue and tiredness in situations of inadequate micronutrient status”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that reduction of tiredness and fatigue is a beneficial physiological effect.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka

Chromium depletion that responds to chromium supplementation has been reported in humans receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with TPN solutions low in or free of chromium (Jeejeebhoy et al., 1977; Freund et al., 1979; Brown et al., 1986). Jeejeebhoy et al. (1977) reported on a female receiving long-term parenteral nutrition for three and a half years, who exhibited impaired glucose tolerance and glucose utilisation, weight loss, neuropathy, elevated plasma fatty acids, depressed respiratory quotient and abnormalities in nitrogen metabolism. A patient receiving total parenteral nutrition low in chromium for five months after complete bowel resection developed severe glucose intolerance, weight loss and a metabolic encephalopathy-like confusional state (Freund et al., 1979). Both syndromes were reversed by chromium supplementation. Brown et al. (1986) reported that chromium supplementation reversed the development of unexplained hyperglycaemia and
glycosuria in a 63-year-old female during administration of a TPN regime of several months duration. Glucose intolerance was the only clinical manifestation of depletion in this patient.
Impaired glucose tolerance of malnourished infants has been reported to respond to an oral dose of chromium chloride (Hopkins and Majaj, 1967; Hopkins et al., 1968; IoM, 2001). Also, chromium appears to potentiate the action of insulin in vivo and in vitro, and restores glucose tolerance in rats (IoM, 2001; EVM, 2002).

3.4. Zmniejszenie zmęczenia (ID 261)

Five references were provided for the scientific substantiation of this claim. These included two nutrition text books, a consensus opinion on dietary reference intakes for several vitamins and minerals including chromium (IoM, 2001), a general review on the potential effects of chromium including toxicity and an intervention study on the effects of acute chromium supplementation to male runners on a number of biochemical variables but which did not include fatigue as an outcome (Anderson et al., 1984).
Tiredness and fatigue are not among the symptoms observed in the few cases of chromium depletion reported and referred to in the references provided.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of chromium and reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claims, a food should be at least a source of trivalent chromium as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Must meet minimum requirements for use of the claim "source of [name of vitamin/s] and/or [name of mineral/s]," as per Annex to Regulation 1924/2006.