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The results showed a significant reduction in overall weight loss and body fat percentage compared with the placebo group. The duration of trials lasted from two to six months using a median of 400 micrograms of chromium. Another meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials looked at the effects of chromium picolinate and chromium nicotinate on body weight or body mass index in overweight and obese individuals.However, the authors noted that most of the studies were of low quality with a short follow-up of less than six months and a small number of participants, and the different study designs made them difficult to compare. When the study results were combined, the study participants lost about 2 pounds more than those receiving a placebo. A Cochrane review analyzed nine randomized controlled trials looking at chromium picolinate supplementation on weight loss, with a follow-up of up to six months.Most of the clinical trials available are of short duration (six months or less) and do not control for confounders such as dietary intake and physical activity. However, chromium supplements have not been found to produce significant weight loss. They are promoted to suppress appetite, break down fat, and stimulate heat production (thermogenesis) causing a mild increase in calorie usage. Ĭhromium supplement sales exceed $85 million a year. Currently, the American Diabetes Association does not recommend chromium supplements to improve blood glucose control in people with diabetes who do not have underlying nutritional deficiencies. It is clearer that chromium supplementation can improve glucose metabolism in individuals who are deficient in the mineral, but still unclear that supplementation will have the same action in those who are adequately nourished. The studies also tended to include a small number of people followed for a short time. Conflicting results may occur because of weaknesses in methods: an open-label design (participants and researchers were not blinded to who received the chromium supplement versus placebo), participants taking different diabetic medications, not measuring baseline chromium levels to determine deficient or non-deficient status, and participants with differing levels of diabetes control (e.g., high or low hemoglobin A1c values). Results of studies on chromium supplements and diabetes have not consistently shown a benefit, making a bottom-line conclusion difficult to establish. There is not one consistent measure to evaluate chromium content in the diet, and clinical tests to measure a deficiency vary (e.g., through blood, toenails, hair, or sweat). However, the exact mechanism of chromium in relation to insulin is not clearly understood. īecause of these findings, chromium supplements are popular among people with diabetes. Some clinical trials have shown a benefit with chromium supplements in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in participants with diabetes. Lower chromium blood levels have been reported in patients with diabetes compared with control patients without diabetes. Although they were given high doses of insulin, their condition did not improve until the TPN was supplemented with chromium. Case studies found that people fed solely through intravenous feeding, called total parenteral nutrition or TPN, in which chromium was not part of the feeding, developed chromium deficiency and hyperglycemia. Animal and human studies have shown that chromium supplementation corrects glucose intolerance in those who are deficient in the mineral. Chromium and HealthĬhromium has been identified as a key player in the action of insulin and regulating blood glucose. A UL has not been established for chromium, because a toxic level has not been observed from food sources or from longer-term intakes of high-dose supplements. UL: A Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the maximum daily dose unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population. For pregnancy and lactation, the AI is 30 and 45 micrograms daily. Men and women older than 50 years require slightly less, at 30 and 20 micrograms daily, respectively. An Adequate Intake (AI) was set as an estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake for chromium.ĪI: The AI for men ages 19-50 years is 35 micrograms daily, and for women ages 19-50 years, 25 micrograms daily. There is not enough data to establish a Recommended Dietary Allowance for chromium. Vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin C help to improve the absorption of chromium. [1) It is also involved in the breakdown and absorption of carbohydrate, proteins, and fats. Chromium enhances the action of the hormone insulin. It is naturally present in a wide variety of foods, though only in small amounts, and is also available as a supplement. Chromium is an essential mineral that the body needs in trace amounts.