Proteins are necessary for tissue repair and for the construction of new tissue. Every cell needs protein to maintain its life. Protein is also the primary substance used to replace worn out or dead cells. Your muscles, hair, nails, skin, and eyes are made of protein.
Taking supplemental chromium has been shown repeatedly to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, even to the point of reversing type II diabetes in many people (1). Thus, as my old clinical nutrition professor pointed out, apparently a chromium deficiency can actually lead to type II diabetes.
The good news is that replacing saturated fats in your diet with a higher level of monounsaturated fats not only increases insulin sensitivity, but also reverses adipose dysfunction. In fact, these fats have a positive effect on adipose dysfunction even in cases of obesity.