Brenda Davis

Although the total amounts of

chromium available may be inconsistent from one batch to another, 1½ cups

(375 ml) of broccoli may supply a day’s requirement of chromium, for example.

Other vegetables and fruits supply small amounts that add up over the course of

a day. Vitamin C–rich foods likely improve chromium absorption. 81

Diets high in sugar (sucrose) have been found to promote chromium loss.

Refined grains have lost their natural chromium content. 81

Single-mineral zinc supplements above the RDA can interfere with the

body’s absorption of copper38Because copper is a prooxidant, copper supplements are best avoided—and aren’t needed in typical vegan diets.