Chromium: Evidence for Blood Sugar and Safety
Chromium as a nutrient, why meta-analyses in type 2 diabetes disagree, what reviews found for weight, official intake levels by country, and what is unknown about safety.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What is Chromium good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Breaking down carbohydrates and fats
Established roleChromium helps the body break down carbohydrates and fats from food.
Supplements: No good evidence that extra chromium speeds metabolism when intake is adequate.
Helping insulin work
Established roleChromium is described as helping insulin act on glucose in the body.
Supplements: Supplement trials give mixed results, so this normal role should not be read as proof that supplements improve blood sugar.
Blood sugar markers in type 2 diabetes
Preliminary or mixedSome trials in people with type 2 diabetes found lower HbA1c with chromium; reviews disagree on fasting glucose.
Supplements: Mixed evidence. MedlinePlus says chromium is not recommended as the only treatment for diabetes. Complications were not measured.
Fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis
Established roleChromium is involved in how the body makes fatty acids and cholesterol.
Supplements: No evidence that supplements improve blood cholesterol or fats; one review found no difference.
Body weight and body composition
Preliminary or mixedReviews found at most a small effect of chromium on body weight.
Supplements: Low-quality evidence; no reliable basis for using chromium for weight loss.
Possible shortfall in some groups
Deficiency linkLow chromium may be seen with impaired glucose tolerance, in older adults with type 2 diabetes, and in infants with protein-calorie malnutrition.
Supplements: Supplements are not shown to correct these conditions.
Muscle building and body composition claims
Not enough evidenceMarketing claims for muscle gain are not supported.
Supplements: No good evidence of benefit.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (3)
- Blood Sugar BalancePreliminary or mixed
Two reviews of trials in type 2 diabetes disagree: one found lower fasting glucose and HbA1c, the other only a lower HbA1c. Evidence in people without diabetes is not established.
- Metabolic HealthPreliminary or mixed
Chromium takes part in carbohydrate and fat handling, but trial results on blood sugar markers are mixed and no benefit on blood fats was found in one review.
- Weight ManagementPreliminary or mixed
A Cochrane review found about 1.1 kg lower weight with chromium picolinate in overweight adults, of debatable clinical relevance and low-quality evidence. Other reviews found no clear benefit.
Body systems (7)
- Blood Sugar SupportPreliminary or mixed
Chromium is described as helping insulin work. In trials in type 2 diabetes the results disagree, and MedlinePlus says it is not recommended as the only treatment for diabetes.
- Metabolism & WeightEstablished role
MedlinePlus says chromium helps the body break down fats and carbohydrates. Adults normally get it from food; extra supplements have not been shown to improve metabolism in people who are not short of it.
- Digestive SystemDocumented risk
Some chromium supplement forms may irritate the stomach and gut or cause ulcers.
- Hepatic / Liver SystemDocumented risk
Isolated cases of liver impairment have been reported with chromium supplements, so people with liver disease are advised to avoid them unless a clinician agrees.
- Kidney & UrinaryDocumented risk
Isolated cases of kidney impairment have been reported with chromium supplements, so people with kidney disease are advised to avoid them unless a clinician agrees.
- Liver & DetoxDocumented risk
Isolated cases of liver impairment have been reported with chromium supplements; this is a safety note, not a detox benefit.
- Urinary SystemDocumented risk
Isolated cases of kidney impairment have been reported with chromium supplements, so people with kidney disease are advised to avoid them unless a clinician agrees.
Body parts (2)
Functional actions (2)
- Blood Sugar RegulationPreliminary or mixed
Chromium is described as helping insulin act on glucose. Trials of supplements in type 2 diabetes give mixed results.
- Metabolic OptimizationEstablished role
Chromium helps the body break down fats and carbohydrates. This is a normal role; it does not mean extra supplements optimise metabolism.
Root causes (2)
- Blood Sugar ImbalancePreliminary or mixed
Low chromium has been reported in impaired glucose tolerance, but whether supplements correct blood sugar problems is unclear because trials disagree.
- Nutrient DeficiencyDeficiency link
MedlinePlus says low chromium may be seen in people with impaired glucose tolerance, older adults with type 2 diabetes, and infants with protein-calorie malnutrition. True dietary deficiency is not well defined.
Habits (1)
- Balanced NutritionEstablished role
The NHS says a varied, balanced diet should provide all the chromium you need; meat, nuts and whole grains are sources.
Biomarkers (3)
- HbA1cPreliminary or mixed
Both reviews of trials in type 2 diabetes found lower HbA1c with chromium than placebo, though the size varied widely between studies. This does not show fewer diabetes complications.
- Blood GlucosePreliminary or mixed
One review found lower fasting glucose with chromium in type 2 diabetes; another review of 10 trials found no significant difference.
- InsulinPreliminary or mixed
One review found lower fasting insulin and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with chromium in type 2 diabetes. Other evidence is limited.
Conditions & symptoms (7)
- Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Insulin-DependentPreliminary or mixed
Low chromium is reported in some older adults with type 2 diabetes. Trials of supplements give mixed results and MedlinePlus says it is not recommended as the only treatment.
- HypoglycemiaDocumented risk
Chromium may add to the blood-sugar-lowering effect of insulin or sulfonylureas, so low blood sugar is a possible concern.
- Impaired Glucose ToleranceDeficiency link
MedlinePlus says low chromium may be seen in people with impaired glucose tolerance. It does not show that supplements treat it.
- Insulin ResistancePreliminary or mixed
MedlinePlus says chromium may help reduce insulin resistance; a 2020 review found lower HOMA-IR with large differences between studies.
- ObesityPreliminary or mixed
A Cochrane review found a small weight difference with chromium picolinate of debatable clinical relevance and low-quality evidence.
- OverweightPreliminary or mixed
Same Cochrane review (overweight or obese adults): small weight difference, low-quality evidence.
- Protein-Energy MalnutritionDeficiency link
MedlinePlus says low chromium may be seen in infants with protein-calorie malnutrition.
Documented risks and interactions (5)
- Interaction with diabetes medicines. Chromium might add to the blood-sugar-lowering effect of insulin or sulfonylureas.
- Interaction with levothyroxine. Chromium supplements may change how levothyroxine works.
- Kidney and liver cautions. Isolated cases of kidney or liver impairment have been reported with chromium supplements.
- Stomach and gut irritation. Some forms of chromium supplements may cause stomach or gut irritation or ulcers.
- Iron absorption. Chromium may interfere with iron absorption.
Safety first. Chromium supplements are mainly sold for blood sugar and weight. Anyone with diabetes or taking glucose-lowering medicines, thyroid medicine or other long-term medicines should ask a clinician or pharmacist before using one, and should not change a prescribed medicine because of a supplement. MedlinePlus says chromium is not recommended as the sole treatment for people with diabetes. [1]
Overview
Chromium is a trace mineral. MedlinePlus says it is involved in the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates and aids insulin action and glucose breakdown. [1] The NHS (UK) says you should be able to get all the chromium you need from a varied and balanced diet. [2] MedlinePlus says a lack of chromium may be seen in people with impaired glucose tolerance, such as older people with type 2 diabetes, and in infants with protein-calorie malnutrition. [1] Evidence labels used on this page: established role, mixed, insufficient, Proper evidence not found.Food sources
The NHS lists meat, nuts and cereal grains. [2] MedlinePlus says brewer's yeast is the best source but causes bloating and nausea for some, meat and whole grain products are relatively good sources, and gives beef, liver, eggs, chicken, oysters, wheat germ and broccoli as examples. [1]Official intake levels
Amounts are micrograms (mcg) unless stated. Take care: 1 milligram (mg) is 1,000 mcg.| Body and year | Group | Level |
|---|---|---|
| US Adequate Intake (AI), via MedlinePlus (reviewed 2025) | Children 1 to 3; 4 to 8 years | 11 mcg; 15 mcg [1] |
| US AI | Males 14 to 50; 51 and over | 35 mcg; 30 mcg [1] |
| US AI | Females 19 to 50; 51 and older | 25 mcg; 20 mcg [1] |
| US AI | Pregnancy (19 to 50); breastfeeding (19 to 50) | 30 mcg; 45 mcg [1] |
| NHS (UK), page reviewed 2020 | Adults | Around 25 mcg a day should be enough [2] |
| NHS (UK) | Food plus supplements | 10 mg (10,000 mcg) or less a day unlikely to cause harm [2] |
| EFSA (EU), 2025 overview | Adults (trivalent chromium) | No adequate data to derive a tolerable upper level [3] |
| Health Canada dietary reference intake tables | Adults | Upper level not determined [4] |
An Adequate Intake is a best estimate where the evidence is too thin for an RDA, not a requirement. [1] The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements pages were blocked to us, so US figures come from MedlinePlus.
Evidence for blood sugar
Two meta-analyses of trials in people with type 2 diabetes reach different conclusions. Both measure lab markers, not complications.| Review | What it found | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 meta-analysis, 28 studies with glycemic outcomes [5] | Lower fasting glucose (about 19 mg/dl), insulin, HbA1c (about 0.71 percentage points) and insulin resistance, with very high heterogeneity (I2 up to 99.8%). | Mixed; heterogeneous |
| 2022 meta-analysis, 10 placebo-controlled trials, 509 people [6] | Only HbA1c was significantly lower; fasting glucose and blood lipids were not. | Mixed |
The abstracts do not explain why they differ; one pooled 28 studies and the other 10. MedlinePlus says chromium may help reduce insulin resistance. [1] Fewer complications of diabetes were not measured in these reviews. See Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome and Minerals, blood sugar and diabetes.
Evidence for weight
| Question | What the source found | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Chromium picolinate in overweight or obese adults | Cochrane (2013): 9 trials, 622 people, up to 24 weeks. Pooled effect of about 1.1 kg lower weight, of debatable clinical relevance, low-quality evidence; the authors found no current, reliable evidence to inform firm decisions on efficacy and safety. [7] | Insufficient |
| Chromium in people with type 2 diabetes | A 2024 meta-analysis of 14 trials found no significant effect on body weight, BMI, waist or fat mass. [8] | No clear benefit |
| Weight-loss supplements in general | A 2004 systematic review found no evidence beyond reasonable doubt that any specific supplement, including chromium picolinate, reduces body weight. [9] | Insufficient |
For other uses (muscle building, cravings, "metabolism"): Proper evidence not found in the sources we checked. See Weight-loss supplements and fat burners.
Safety
MedlinePlus says toxicity is not common because absorption is low and excretion is high. [1] The NHS says there is not enough evidence to know the effects of high daily doses. [2] In the Cochrane weight review, only three studies reported adverse events (low-quality evidence), including two serious adverse events in participants taking 1,000 mcg and one in a participant taking 400 mcg of chromium picolinate. [7] Long-term safety is therefore not well established.Medicines and conditions
- Diabetes medicines. Chromium is sold to affect blood sugar, so ask a clinician before combining it with insulin or other glucose-lowering medicines. See medication interactions.
- Thyroid medicine. A systematic review noted chromium supplements may alter the effect of levothyroxine and need further study. [10]
- Pregnancy, children, kidney or liver conditions, and surgery. The sources we read give pregnancy and child reference intakes but no supplement advice for these groups or conditions. Ask a clinician; see Pregnancy and breastfeeding and supplements before surgery.
Forms, labels and quality
Chromium picolinate is a popular form. We did not find a source comparing forms for clinical outcomes: Proper evidence not found. Check micrograms per serving, and add up multivitamins; see reading supplement labels and quality testing.Frequently asked questions
Does chromium lower blood sugar?
Two meta-analyses disagree: the 2020 analysis found several markers improved, the 2022 analysis only HbA1c. [5][6]
Can I stop my diabetes medicine if I take chromium?
No. MedlinePlus says chromium is not recommended as the sole treatment for diabetes, and any medicine change is for your prescriber. [1]
Does chromium picolinate help with weight loss?
A Cochrane review found a small weight difference of debatable clinical relevance and no firm evidence of efficacy or safety. [7]
Is chromium picolinate safe?
We found no long-term safety data for it. MedlinePlus says chromium toxicity is not common, and the Cochrane review reported few adverse-event data. [1][7]
Do I need a chromium supplement?
The NHS says you should be able to get all the chromium you need from a varied and balanced diet. [2]
References
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Chromium in diet (review date 21 January 2025). Link. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK). Vitamins and minerals: Others (chromium, molybdenum, selenium and more; page last reviewed 3 August 2020). Link. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Food Safety Authority. Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels as derived by the SCF and the EFSA NDA Panel, version 11 (August 2025). Link. Read 2026-10-23.
- Health Canada. Dietary reference intakes: reference values for elements (tables). Link. Read 2026-10-23.
- Asbaghi O et al. Effects of chromium supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacol Res. 2020. Link. Read 2026-10-23.
- Zhao F et al. Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2022. Link. Read 2026-10-23.
- Chromium picolinate supplementation for overweight or obese adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. Link. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effects of chromium supplementation on body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes: a dose-response systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2024. Link. Read 2026-10-23.
- Pittler MH, Ernst E. Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004. Link. Read 2026-10-23.
- Wiesner A et al. Levothyroxine Interactions with Food and Dietary Supplements: A Systematic Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021. Link. Read 2026-10-23.