One study found that 16 weeks of 200 μg/day of chromium was able to lower blood sugar and insulin while improving the body’s response to insulin ( 8). Several studies have indicated that taking chromium supplements can improve blood sugar for those with diabetes ( 7, 8). In people with diabetes, there are problems with the body’s normal response to insulin. In healthy people, the hormone insulin has an important role in signaling the body to bring blood sugar into the cells of the body. Chromium picolinate is the form often found in dietary supplements. It plays a role in the metabolism of nutrients through its impact on the hormone insulin. SummaryĬhromium is a mineral found in low doses in many foods. For this reason, this type is commonly found in dietary supplements ( 3, 6).Ĭhromium picolinate is the mineral chromium attached to three molecules of picolinic acid ( 3). However, chromium picolinate is an alternate form of chromium that is absorbed better. Interestingly, the absorption of chromium in the intestines is very low, with less than 2.5% of ingested chromium being absorbed ( 1). Insulin, a molecule released by the pancreas, is important in your body’s processing of carbs, fat and protein ( 5). This safe form, trivalent chromium, is typically considered essential, meaning that it must be obtained from the diet.Īlthough some researchers question whether this mineral is truly essential, it does serve several important functions in the body ( 2).įor example, it is part of a molecule called chromodulin, which helps the hormone insulin perform its actions in the body ( 3, 4). Although one dangerous form can be found in industrial pollution, a safe form is found naturally in many foods ( 1). No one should take more than 300 mcg per day of chromium without the supervision of a doctor.Chromium is a mineral that exists in several forms. 15 Whether these problems were caused by chromium picolinate or, if so, whether other forms of chromium might have the same effects at these high amounts remains unclear. 14 A case of a muscle disease known as rhabdomyolysis appeared in a body builder who took 1200 mcg over 48 hours. 13 A case of anemia, liver dysfunction, and other problems appeared after four to five months of 1,200–2,400 mcg per day. A case of kidney failure appeared after taking 600 mcg per day for six weeks. Three single, unrelated cases of toxicity have been reported from use of chromium picolinate. 12 However, no published evidence supports this assertion. Another source claimed that there have been reports of mild heart rhythm abnormalities with excessive chromium ingestion. 11 However, chromium supplementation was not proven to be the cause of these problems. One report of severe illness (including liver and kidney damage) occurring in a person who was taking 1,000 mcg of chromium per day has been reported. 9 In theory, these changes could increase the risk of cancer, but so far, chromium intake has not been linked to increased incidence of cancer in humans. 7, 8 Chromium picolinate can be altered by antioxidants or hydrogen peroxide in the body to a form that could itself create free radical damage. One study suggested that chromium in very high concentrations in a test tube could cause chromosomal mutations in ovarian cells of hamsters. While there are a few reports of people developing medical problems while taking chromium, a cause-effect relationship was not proven. In supplemental amounts (typically 50–300 mcg per day), chromium has not been found to cause toxicity in humans.
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