The geography of diabetes and vascular occlusive disease in relation to chromium.

Prima facie evidence is presented that, where naturally occuring chromium in water supplies occurs, it is associated with a lower prevalence of diabetes and a lower incidence of mortality from vascular occlusive disease. It is postulated that increased prevalence of such disease in a population is associated with chromium 3 deprivation. This results from con­ sumption of highly refined cereal foods which are known to have most of the chromium content removed with the fibre. Water chromium may mitigate these effects.