Chromium - Uses - iVillage

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Amount	Why
High Cholesterol	200 to 500 mcg daily	Chromium supplementation has reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol in double-blind and other controlled trials.
High Cholesterol 200 to 500 mcg daily Chromium supplementation has reduced total cholesterol,¹^{, 2} LDL cholesterol³^{, 4} and increased HDL cholesterol⁵^{, 6} in double-blind and other controlled trials, although other trials have not found these effects.⁷^{, 8} One double-blind trial found that high amounts of chromium (500 mcg per day) in combination with daily exercise was highly effective, producing nearly a 20% decrease in total cholesterol levels in just 13 weeks.⁹ Brewer’s yeast, which contains readily absorbable and biologically active chromium, has also lowered serum cholesterol.¹⁰ People with higher blood levels of chromium appear to be at lower risk for heart disease.¹¹ A reasonable and safe intake of supplemental chromium is 200 mcg per day. People wishing to use brewer’s yeast as a source of chromium should look for products specifically labeled “from the brewing process” or “brewer’s yeast,” since most yeast found in health food stores is not brewer’s yeast, and does not contain chromium. Optimally, true brewer’s yeast contains up to 60 mcg of chromium per tablespoon, and a reasonable intake is 2 tablespoons per day. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Hypoglycemia	200 mcg daily	Taking chromium may help stabilize blood sugar swings.
Hypoglycemia 200 mcg daily Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)¹² or magnesium (340 mg per day)¹³ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.¹⁴ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.¹⁵ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Type 1 Diabetes	200 mcg daily	Chromium has been shown to help improve glucose tolerance in people with type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes 200 mcg daily Chromium, a trace mineral that appears to increase the effectiveness of insulin, has been shown to improve glucose and related variables in people with many kinds of diabetes, including type 1 diabetes. Chromium may also lower levels of total , LDL cholesterol, and (risk factors for ). The typical amount of chromium used in research trials is 200 mcg per day. Supplementation with chromium or (a source of chromium) could potentially enhance the effects of drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin or other blood sugar-lowering agents) and possibly lead to . Therefore, people with diabetes taking these medications should supplement with chromium or brewer's yeast only under the supervision of a doctor. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Type 2 Diabetes	200 to 1,000 mcg daily	Chromium has been shown to be useful in treating type 2 diabetes in several ways, including by improving glucose tolerance.
Type 2 Diabetes 200 to 1,000 mcg daily Medical reports dating back to 1853, as well as modern research, indicate that chromium-rich brewer’s yeast (9 grams per day) can be useful in treating type 2 diabetes.¹⁶ ^{, 17} In recent years, chromium has been shown to improve glucose levels and related variables in people with glucose intolerance and type 2, gestational, and steroid-induced diabetes.¹⁸ ^{, 19} Improved glucose tolerance with lower or similar levels of insulin have been reported in more than ten trials of chromium supplementation in people with varying degrees of glucose intolerance.²⁰ Chromium supplements improve glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes,²¹ apparently by increasing sensitivity to insulin.²² Chromium improves the processing of glucose in people with prediabetic glucose intolerance and in women with diabetes associated with pregnancy.²³ ^{, 24} Chromium even helps healthy people,²⁵ although one such report found chromium useful only when accompanied by 100 mg of niacin per day.²⁶ Chromium may also lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (risk factors in heart disease).²⁷ ^{, 28} A few trials have reported no beneficial effects from chromium supplementation.²⁹ ^{, 30} ^{, 31} All of these trials used 200 mcg or less of supplemental chromium, which is often not adequate for people with diabetes, especially if it is in a form that is poorly absorbed. The typical amount of chromium used in research trials is 200 mcg per day, although as much as 1,000 mcg per day has been used.³² Many doctors recommend up to 1,000 mcg per day for people with diabetes.³³ Supplementation with chromium or brewer’s yeast could potentially enhance the effects of drugs used for diabetes (e.g., insulin or other blood sugar-lowering agents) and possibly lead to hypoglycemia. Therefore, people with diabetes taking these medications should supplement with chromium or brewer’s yeast only under the supervision of a doctor. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
High Triglycerides	200 mg daily	Studies have shown that chromium supplementation may reduce triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes.
High Triglycerides 200 mg daily In a double-blind trial, 30 people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes received 200 mcg of chromium per day (as chromium picolinate) for two months and a placebo for an additional two months. The average TG level was significantly lower (by an average of 17.4%) during chromium supplementation than during the placebo period.³⁴Some,³⁵ ^{, 36} but not all, trials³⁷ ^{, 38} support these findings. It is not clear whether chromium supplementation affects TG levels in non-diabetics, but some evidence suggests that it does not.³⁹ ^{, 40} ^{, 41} ^{, 42} ^{, 43} Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Insulin Resistance Syndrome	200 mcg daily	Supplementing with chromium may help improve the action of insulin.
Insulin Resistance Syndrome 200 mcg daily Chromium has long been known to be helpful to people with insulin-related disorders.⁴⁴^{, 45} While no chromium research has been done specifically on people with IRS, known mechanisms of chromium’s effects indicate that chromium plays a role in promoting insulin sensitivity.⁴⁶^{, 47} Preliminary evidence also suggests that insulin resistance may cause loss of chromium from the body, increasing the likelihood of chromium deficiency.⁴⁸ Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Athletic Performance	Refer to label instructions	Chromium may play a role in altering body composition. Research has suggested that chromium picolinate might increase fat loss and lean muscle tissue gain when used with a weight-training program.
Athletic Performance Chromium, primarily in a form called chromium picolinate, has been studied for its potential role in altering body composition. Preliminary research in animals and humans suggested that chromium picolinate might increase fat loss and lean muscle tissue gain when used with a weight-training program.⁴⁹^{, 50}^{, 51} However, most studies have found little to no effect of chromium on body composition or strength.⁵²^{, 53}^{, 54}^{, 55}^{, 56} One group of researchers has reported significant reductions in body fat in double-blind trials using 200 to 400 mcg per day of chromium for six to twelve weeks in middle-aged adults,⁵⁷^{, 58} but the methods used in these studies have been criticized.⁵⁹ Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Depression	Refer to label instructions	In a few case reports, chromium has improved mood in people with a type of depression called dysthymic disorder.
Depression There have been five case reports of chromium supplementation (200–400 mcg per day) significantly improving mood in people with a type of depression called dysthymic disorder who were also taking the antidepressant drug sertraline (Zoloft).⁶⁰ These case reports, while clearly limited and preliminary in scope, warrant further research to better understand the benefits, if any, of chromium supplementation in people with depression. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Obesity	Refer to label instructions	A review of several studies concluded that supplementing with chromium picolinate may have a beneficial effect on weight loss.
Obesity The mineral chromium plays an essential role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats and in the action of insulin. Chromium, usually in a form called chromium picolinate, has been studied for its potential role in altering body composition. Chromium has primarily been studied in body builders, with conflicting results.⁶¹ In people trying to lose weight, a double-blind study found that 600 mcg per day of niacin-bound chromium helped some participants lose more fat and less muscle.⁶² However, three other double-blind trials have found no effect of chromium picolinate on weight loss,⁶³ ^{, 64} ^{, 65} though in one of these trials lean body mass that was lost during a weight-loss diet was restored by continuing to supplement chromium after the diet. A recent comprehensive review combining the results of ten published and unpublished double-blind studies concluded that chromium picolinate supplementation may have a small beneficial effect on weight loss.⁶⁶ Learn More

Also indexed as:

cholesterol,
chromium,
diabetes,
diabetes mellitus,
diabetes sacarina,
dietary chromium,
DM,
DM (diabetes mellitus),
elevated cholesterol,
elevated cholesterol levels,
high blood cholesterol,
high cholesterol,
hypercholesterolemia

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Amount	Why
High Cholesterol	200 to 500 mcg daily	Chromium supplementation has reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol in double-blind and other controlled trials.
High Cholesterol 200 to 500 mcg daily Chromium supplementation has reduced total cholesterol,¹^{, 2} LDL cholesterol³^{, 4} and increased HDL cholesterol⁵^{, 6} in double-blind and other controlled trials, although other trials have not found these effects.⁷^{, 8} One double-blind trial found that high amounts of chromium (500 mcg per day) in combination with daily exercise was highly effective, producing nearly a 20% decrease in total cholesterol levels in just 13 weeks.⁹ Brewer’s yeast, which contains readily absorbable and biologically active chromium, has also lowered serum cholesterol.¹⁰ People with higher blood levels of chromium appear to be at lower risk for heart disease.¹¹ A reasonable and safe intake of supplemental chromium is 200 mcg per day. People wishing to use brewer’s yeast as a source of chromium should look for products specifically labeled “from the brewing process” or “brewer’s yeast,” since most yeast found in health food stores is not brewer’s yeast, and does not contain chromium. Optimally, true brewer’s yeast contains up to 60 mcg of chromium per tablespoon, and a reasonable intake is 2 tablespoons per day. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Hypoglycemia	200 mcg daily	Taking chromium may help stabilize blood sugar swings.
Hypoglycemia 200 mcg daily Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)¹² or magnesium (340 mg per day)¹³ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.¹⁴ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.¹⁵ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Type 1 Diabetes	200 mcg daily	Chromium has been shown to help improve glucose tolerance in people with type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes 200 mcg daily Chromium, a trace mineral that appears to increase the effectiveness of insulin, has been shown to improve glucose and related variables in people with many kinds of diabetes, including type 1 diabetes. Chromium may also lower levels of total , LDL cholesterol, and (risk factors for ). The typical amount of chromium used in research trials is 200 mcg per day. Supplementation with chromium or (a source of chromium) could potentially enhance the effects of drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin or other blood sugar-lowering agents) and possibly lead to . Therefore, people with diabetes taking these medications should supplement with chromium or brewer's yeast only under the supervision of a doctor. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Type 2 Diabetes	200 to 1,000 mcg daily	Chromium has been shown to be useful in treating type 2 diabetes in several ways, including by improving glucose tolerance.
Type 2 Diabetes 200 to 1,000 mcg daily Medical reports dating back to 1853, as well as modern research, indicate that chromium-rich brewer’s yeast (9 grams per day) can be useful in treating type 2 diabetes.¹⁶ ^{, 17} In recent years, chromium has been shown to improve glucose levels and related variables in people with glucose intolerance and type 2, gestational, and steroid-induced diabetes.¹⁸ ^{, 19} Improved glucose tolerance with lower or similar levels of insulin have been reported in more than ten trials of chromium supplementation in people with varying degrees of glucose intolerance.²⁰ Chromium supplements improve glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes,²¹ apparently by increasing sensitivity to insulin.²² Chromium improves the processing of glucose in people with prediabetic glucose intolerance and in women with diabetes associated with pregnancy.²³ ^{, 24} Chromium even helps healthy people,²⁵ although one such report found chromium useful only when accompanied by 100 mg of niacin per day.²⁶ Chromium may also lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (risk factors in heart disease).²⁷ ^{, 28} A few trials have reported no beneficial effects from chromium supplementation.²⁹ ^{, 30} ^{, 31} All of these trials used 200 mcg or less of supplemental chromium, which is often not adequate for people with diabetes, especially if it is in a form that is poorly absorbed. The typical amount of chromium used in research trials is 200 mcg per day, although as much as 1,000 mcg per day has been used.³² Many doctors recommend up to 1,000 mcg per day for people with diabetes.³³ Supplementation with chromium or brewer’s yeast could potentially enhance the effects of drugs used for diabetes (e.g., insulin or other blood sugar-lowering agents) and possibly lead to hypoglycemia. Therefore, people with diabetes taking these medications should supplement with chromium or brewer’s yeast only under the supervision of a doctor. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
High Triglycerides	200 mg daily	Studies have shown that chromium supplementation may reduce triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes.
High Triglycerides 200 mg daily In a double-blind trial, 30 people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes received 200 mcg of chromium per day (as chromium picolinate) for two months and a placebo for an additional two months. The average TG level was significantly lower (by an average of 17.4%) during chromium supplementation than during the placebo period.³⁴Some,³⁵ ^{, 36} but not all, trials³⁷ ^{, 38} support these findings. It is not clear whether chromium supplementation affects TG levels in non-diabetics, but some evidence suggests that it does not.³⁹ ^{, 40} ^{, 41} ^{, 42} ^{, 43} Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Insulin Resistance Syndrome	200 mcg daily	Supplementing with chromium may help improve the action of insulin.
Insulin Resistance Syndrome 200 mcg daily Chromium has long been known to be helpful to people with insulin-related disorders.⁴⁴^{, 45} While no chromium research has been done specifically on people with IRS, known mechanisms of chromium’s effects indicate that chromium plays a role in promoting insulin sensitivity.⁴⁶^{, 47} Preliminary evidence also suggests that insulin resistance may cause loss of chromium from the body, increasing the likelihood of chromium deficiency.⁴⁸ Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Athletic Performance	Refer to label instructions	Chromium may play a role in altering body composition. Research has suggested that chromium picolinate might increase fat loss and lean muscle tissue gain when used with a weight-training program.
Athletic Performance Chromium, primarily in a form called chromium picolinate, has been studied for its potential role in altering body composition. Preliminary research in animals and humans suggested that chromium picolinate might increase fat loss and lean muscle tissue gain when used with a weight-training program.⁴⁹^{, 50}^{, 51} However, most studies have found little to no effect of chromium on body composition or strength.⁵²^{, 53}^{, 54}^{, 55}^{, 56} One group of researchers has reported significant reductions in body fat in double-blind trials using 200 to 400 mcg per day of chromium for six to twelve weeks in middle-aged adults,⁵⁷^{, 58} but the methods used in these studies have been criticized.⁵⁹ Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Depression	Refer to label instructions	In a few case reports, chromium has improved mood in people with a type of depression called dysthymic disorder.
Depression There have been five case reports of chromium supplementation (200–400 mcg per day) significantly improving mood in people with a type of depression called dysthymic disorder who were also taking the antidepressant drug sertraline (Zoloft).⁶⁰ These case reports, while clearly limited and preliminary in scope, warrant further research to better understand the benefits, if any, of chromium supplementation in people with depression. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Obesity	Refer to label instructions	A review of several studies concluded that supplementing with chromium picolinate may have a beneficial effect on weight loss.
Obesity The mineral chromium plays an essential role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats and in the action of insulin. Chromium, usually in a form called chromium picolinate, has been studied for its potential role in altering body composition. Chromium has primarily been studied in body builders, with conflicting results.⁶¹ In people trying to lose weight, a double-blind study found that 600 mcg per day of niacin-bound chromium helped some participants lose more fat and less muscle.⁶² However, three other double-blind trials have found no effect of chromium picolinate on weight loss,⁶³ ^{, 64} ^{, 65} though in one of these trials lean body mass that was lost during a weight-loss diet was restored by continuing to supplement chromium after the diet. A recent comprehensive review combining the results of ten published and unpublished double-blind studies concluded that chromium picolinate supplementation may have a small beneficial effect on weight loss.⁶⁶ Learn More

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Last Review: 05-11-2011

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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