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Chromium Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain chromium. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with a pharmacist or health care professional before starting.
Scientists have studied chromium for the following health problems: Blood sugar abnormalities, diabetes | Some studies suggest that taking chromium by mouth may lower blood sugar levels, whereas other studies show no effects on blood sugar levels. Some research reports that chromium may improve symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Better studies are needed to provide more definitive answers. | High cholesterol | Studies show conflicting results in using chromium to treat high cholesterol. A few studies show that chromium may lower cholesterol, but other studies show no effects on cholesterol. Many natural medicine experts and textbooks do not recommend chromium for treating high cholesterol. | Weight loss, body composition | Chromium has been studied for its ability to improve lean body mass (reducing fat and increasing muscle), but results have not been consistent. More studies are needed before a recommendation can be made. | Cardiovascular disease | An association has been made between high chromium levels in the blood and a lower risk of coronary artery disease (clogged arteries in the heart). Better studies are needed to provide more definitive answers. | Atypical depression | Preliminary studies show that chromium picolinate may improve symptoms of depression in people with atypical depression. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made. | Immunosuppression | Chromium, in combination with copper, may have potential suppressive effects on immune function. Further research is needed to confirm these results. | Other | Chromium has been studied for its protective benefits in Parkinson's disease and for the treatment of depression, but there are no clear answers in these areas. |
Chromium has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care professional before using chromium for any unproven use. Acne
Antioxidant
Athletic performance
Depression
Glaucoma | Migraines
Osteoporosis
Psoriasis
Turner's syndrome |
Allergies People with allergies to chromate or leather may be more likely to have allergic reactions to chromium. Side Effects Few side effects have been reported from trivalent chromium at recommended doses, but hexavalent chromium may be toxic. The most common complaints include stomach discomfort and nausea or vomiting. Very rarely, skin rashes, insomnia or sleep disturbances, headaches, mood changes, muscle damage or anemia may occur. In theory, it is possible that chromium may lower blood sugar levels. As a result, it should be used cautiously in patients taking drugs for diabetes. It is also possible that chromium may have adverse effects on the heart, kidneys or liver. Preliminary data show that chromium in combination with copper may have a potential suppressive effect on the immune system. Caution should be used if you have a suppressed immune system (for example, if you have HIV or have received a transplant). Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Many natural medicine experts and textbooks state that chromium is safe if taken by pregnant or breast-feeding women in the amount of 45 micrograms per day by mouth. However, studies have not proven safety and effectiveness.
Interactions with drugs, herbs and other supplements have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with a health care professional or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs Chromium may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you are also taking drugs that may lower blood sugar levels. Patients taking oral drugs for diabetes or using insulin should be monitored closely by a health care professional while using chromium. Additionally, lithium and nicotinic acid may also increase the tendency for blood sugar levels to become low. In contrast, when chromium is used with corticosteroids, such as prednisone, increases in blood sugar levels may occur. If you are taking any of these drugs and are considering using chromium, you should discuss this with a health care professional, because dosing adjustments may be necessary. Chromium may modify serotonin function in the brain and therefore may interact with prescription antidepressants such as sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac). In theory, some drugs may decrease chromium levels in the body and may interfere with chromium's activities. Examples include drugs that reduce acid in the stomach, such as esomeprazole (Nexium), ranitidine (Zantac), antacids and corticosteroids (for example, prednisone). In contrast, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), may increase chromium levels in the body, which could lead to a tendency for increased side effects. In theory, picolinic acid, a component often found with chromium, may alter the metabolism of certain chemicals in the brain. If these chemicals are altered, the doses of some drugs used to treat conditions such as depression or Parkinson's disease may need to be changed. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements Very few interactions between chromium and herbs and supplements have been reported. Chromium may alter blood sugar levels. People using herbs or other supplements that may alter blood sugar levels, such as bitter melon ( Momordica charantia), should be monitored closely by a health care professional while using chromium. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. In theory, zinc may decrease chromium levels in the body and may interfere with chromium's activities. It is possible that vitamin C may also alter chromium levels. Chromium has been shown to decrease serotonin levels and may interact with herbs and supplements that effect serotonin.
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care professional before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) Capsules/tablets: Studies in humans have used doses of 200 to 1,000 micrograms of chromium per day by mouth. It should be noted, however, that some natural medicine experts believe that adequate dietary intake of chromium is only 24 to 45 micrograms per day. Children (Younger Than 18) The dosing and safety of chromium have not been studied thoroughly in children, and use of high doses of chromium is generally not recommended.
Although chromium has been suggested for many conditions, there is not enough information to recommend it for any health condition at this time. Chromium may alter blood sugar levels. It you have diabetes and are considering using chromium, you should discuss this with a health care professional. Consult a health care professional immediately if you experience side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Chromium Natural Standard reviewed more than 415 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Amato P, Morales AJ, Yen SS. Effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, and body composition in healthy, nonobese, older men and women. J Gerontol Biol Sci Med Sci 2000;55(5):M260-M263.
- Anderson RA. Chromium in the prevention and control of diabetes. Diabetes Metab 2000;26(1):22-27.
- Attenburrow MJ, Odontiadis J, Murray BJ, et al. Chromium treatment decreases the sensitivity of 5-HT2A receptors. Psychopharmacology 2002;159(4):432-436.
- Bahijri SM, Mufti AM. Beneficial effects of chromium in people with type 2 diabetes, and urinary chromium response to glucose load as a possible indicator of status. Biol Trace Elem Res 2002;85(2):97-109.
- Campbell WW, Joseph LJ, Anderson RA, et al. Effects of resistive training and chromium picolinate on body composition and skeletal muscle size in older women. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2002:12(2):125-135.
- Davidson JR. Abraham K, Connor KM, McLeod MN. Effectiveness of chromium in atypical depression: a placebo-controlled trial. Biol Psychiatry 2003;53(3):261-264.
- Fowler JF. Systemic contact dermatitis caused by oral chromium picolinate. Cutis 2000;65(2):116.
- Gaby A. Literature review and commentary: chromium for dysthymic disorder. Townsend Letters for Doctors and Patients 2000;(201):40.
- Jovanovic L, Gutierrez M, Peterson CM. Chromium supplementation for women with gestational diabetes mellitus. J Trace Elem Exp Med 1999;12(2):91-97.
- Kaats GR, Blum K, Pullin D, et al. A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study of the effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition: a replication and extension of a previous study. Curr Ther Res 1998;59(6):379-388.
- Lenz TL, Hamilton WR. Supplemental products used for weight loss. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash DC) 2004;Jan-Feb, 44(1):59-67; quiz, 67-68.
- Livolsi JM, Adams GM, Laguna PL. The effect of chromium picolinate on muscular strength and body composition in women athletes. J Strength Cond Res 2001;May, 15(2):161-166.
- Pittler MH, Ernst E. Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;Apr, 79(4):529-536.
- Trow LG, Lewis J, Greenwood RH, et al. Lack of effect of dietary chromium supplementation on glucose tolerance, plasma insulin and lipoprotein levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 2000;70(1):14-18.
- Volpe SL, Huang HW, Larpadisorn K, Lesser II. Effect of chromium supplementation and exercise on body composition, resting metabolic rate and selected biochemical parameters in moderately obese women following an exercise program. J Am Coll Nutr 2001;Aug, 20(4):293-306.
Last updated June 29, 2005
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