Chromium
Chromium picolinate · Metabolic
A long-standing blood-sugar and cravings claim that repeated trials have mostly failed to support.
What the evidence says
Meta-analyses of chromium for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes show small, inconsistent effects that shrink as study quality rises, and the FDA has permitted only a heavily qualified claim about insulin resistance. Weight-loss and craving trials are largely null. Genuine deficiency is essentially confined to long-term parenteral nutrition.
What studies used
Adequate intake sits near 25–35 mcg/day; trials commonly used 200–1,000 mcg. Published studies had not established a preferred timing.
Reported from published studies and product labelling — a record of what was used in research, not a recommendation. What is right for you is a conversation with a clinician.
Watch out for
- Generally well tolerated at typical intakes; isolated case reports describe kidney and liver injury at high chronic doses
Evidence base
established literature
Strong human evidence: either a phase 3 or 4 trial report alongside review-level evidence, or ten or more randomised controlled trial reports.
This letter measures how much human research exists, not whether it works for you — the tier above (Limited) is the read on quality.
Research (12)
- Chromium supplementation and type 2 diabetes mellitus: an extensive systematic reviewEnviron Geochem Health · 2024
- Body Composition Changes in Weight Loss: Strategies and Supplementation for Maintaining Lean Body Mass, a Brief ReviewNutrients · 2018
- Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysisBiol Trace Elem Res · 2022
- A scientific review: the role of chromium in insulin resistanceDiabetes Educ · 2004
- Chromium picolinateJ Fla Med Assoc · 1996
- Comparative effects of vitamin and mineral supplements in the management of type 2 diabetes in primary care: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPharmacol Res · 2023
- A comparative study to assess the use of chromium in type 2 diabetes mellitusJ Med Life · 2023
- Chromium Supplementation in Human Health, Metabolic Syndrome, and DiabetesMet Ions Life Sci · 2019
- Chromium Supplementation; Negotiation with Diabetes Mellitus, Hyperlipidemia and DepressionJ Diabetes Metab Disord · 2020
- Chromium supplementation improved post-stroke brain infarction and hyperglycemiaMetab Brain Dis · 2016
- Effects of dietary chromium picolinate supplementation on broiler growth performance: A meta-analysisPLoS One · 2021
- Chromium picolinate supplementation improves cardiac performance in hypoxic ratsActa Cardiol · 2024
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