Chromium: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Cr
Scientific name(s)
chromium
Family or group:
Minerals and Trace Elements
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Chromium Deficiency ✪✪✪✪✪
Symptomatic chromium deficiency is rare. When it occurs, it is most often due to malnutrition, pregnancy, stress, or the long-term use of chromium-poor total parenteral nutrition. Symptoms include severe glucose intolerance, weight loss, and metabolic encephalopathy. Dietary chromium intake was estimated for different age groups. According to Afssa, median dietary chromium intakes ranged between 25 µg/day in infants aged 1 to 3 years, 35 µg/day for children aged 4 to 6 years, 40 µg/day for children aged 7 to 9 years, 45 µg/day for children aged 10 to 12 years, 50 µg/day for adolescents aged 13 to 19 years, 55 to 70 µg/day for adults from the age of 20.
Posologie
Oral
25 - 70 µg
chromium picolinate
Type 2 Diabetes ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical data shows that oral intake of chromium picolinate can decrease fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, insulin levels, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), as well as enhance insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetics. Analysis of 10 to 18 clinical studies indicates that chromium consumption can reduce HbA1C by up to 0.6% and fasting glucose by up to 18 mg/dL. In type 2 diabetic patients, chromium has been used at a dose of 200 to 1000 µg per day in a single or multiple doses.
Posologie
Oral
200 - 1000 µg
chromium picolinate
Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on serum triglyceride levels in NIDDM.
Glucose and insulin responses to dietary chromium supplements: a meta-analysis.
Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
Effect of chromium supplementation on blood glucose and lipid levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus elderly patients.
Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with poorly controlled, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in an obese Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Beneficial effects of oral chromium picolinate supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical study.
Dyslipidemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical research has shown that taking chromium-containing chromium picolinate at a rate of 15 to 200 µg per day for 6 to 12 weeks decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol in patients with elevated cholesterol levels or hyperlipidemia compared to placebo. Other clinical studies show that the daily consumption of 250 µg of chromium as chromium chloride for 7 to 16 months decreases triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in patients with atherosclerosis, compared to placebo.
Posologie
Oral
15 - 250 µg
16 - months
chromium picolinate
The effect of chromium picolinate on serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein fractions in human subjects.
The effects of chromium supplementation on serum glucose and lipids in patients with and without non-insulin dependent diabetes.
Depression ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical studies have shown that taking 400 µg of chromium picolinate per day for 2 weeks, followed by 600 µg per day for an additional 6 weeks, improves remission rates compared to placebo in patients with atypical depression.
Posologie
Oral
400 - 600 µg
8 - weeks
chromium picolinate
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 1000 mcg of chromium picolinate in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, for 6 months, in combination with diet and exercise, increases insulin sensitivity, decreases body mass index, and improves ovulation rates and regular menstruation rates compared to placebo. The results of studies on the effect of chromium at lower doses remain inconsistent.
Posologie
Oral route
1000 µg
6 - months
Women
chromium picolinate
Obesity ✪✪✪✪✪
Chromium plays a role in maintaining carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and it has been suggested that chromium supplementation could have a positive impact on body composition, notably by reducing fat mass and increasing lean mass. A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials concluded that chromium picolinate had a relatively small effect on reducing body weight compared to placebo. However, one study showed promising results using 200 mcg of niacin-bound chromium (600 mcg/day) with moderate exercise. At these high doses, while the overall reduction in body weight was similar in both the chromium and placebo groups, the total fat loss was greater in the chromium group, suggesting a muscle-preserving effect. Other studies using chromium picolinate (equivalent to 200 mcg and 1000 mcg/day) could not replicate these effects. A meta-analysis of 20 studies found a small but significant difference in weight loss (1 kg) compared to placebo for studies lasting at least 16 weeks, but not for shorter duration studies.
Posologie
Oral route
200 µg
chromium picolinate
The potential value and toxicity of chromium picolinate as a nutritional supplement, weight loss agent and muscle development agent
Chromium picolinate for reducing body weight: meta-analysis of randomized trials
Chromium picolinate supplementation in women: effects on body weight, composition, and iron status
Properties
Essential
Chromium is an essential mineral consumed in the diet. It is found in trace amounts in plant products, particularly cereals. Chromium is an essential trace element for sugar metabolism in humans. It combines with other compounds like vitamin B3 and amino acids to form a complex, dinicotinic acid glutathione, also known as FTG, the glucose tolerance factor.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
Chromium regulates insulin in the body. The main mechanism of chromium is directly linked to chromodulin, an endogenous oligopeptide containing chromium that positively affects insulin receptor signaling in the presence of insulin. The efficacy of chromodulin in improving insulin signaling correlates with the amount of chromium bound to it. Chromium itself does not seem to directly influence the insulin receptor like chromodulin can. In fact, chromium does not affect insulin receptor expression levels or insulin binding to the insulin receptor. Other clinical studies have shown that chromium supplementation can promote better insulin sensitivity in those already insulin-resistant. Additionally, chromium supplementation may promote a decrease in blood glucose levels, particularly in individuals with a low dietary intake of chromium. Examining the aggregate data on type II diabetic individuals, there appears to be a slight reduction in fasting glycemia despite the apparent absence of changes in insulin sensitivity or HbA1c in several studies. No significant or reliable effect on non-diabetic individuals.
Usages associés
Neurological
Chromium can act on the brain's hunger receptors. Some research suggests that chromium can sensitize the brain to insulin-sensitive glucoreceptors, leading to appetite suppression, sympathetic nervous system activation, and thermogenesis stimulation.
Antioxidant
A potential antioxidant effect is possible in diabetic individuals with initially high HbA1c levels or those with polycystic ovary syndrome. In human research, chromium supplementation significantly reduced protein carbonyl levels (a marker of protein oxidation) compared to initial values in diabetic patients. Another study in diabetic patients reported an improvement in thiobarbituric acid-reactive plasma substances (TBARS) (a lipid peroxidation biomarker). In patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, chromium would lower malondialdehyde levels (a chemical compound marker of oxidative stress).
Antidepressant
Preliminary clinical research suggests that chromium decreases the response to serotonin receptor stimulation, which may produce antidepressant activity. A series of cases in adults with persistent depressive disorder shows that chromium supplementation can improve the response to antidepressants such as sertraline and amitriptyline in patients exhibiting insufficient response.
Usages associés
Hypolipidemic
Chromium seems to inhibit HMG CoA reductase, a hepatic enzyme involved in cholesterol metabolism.
Usages associés
Metabolic
Clinical research shows that ingesting chromium picolinate reduces cravings, food intake, and hunger, which may lead to weight loss. Chromium may induce these effects by affecting the brain's hunger receptors. Some research suggests that chromium could sensitize insulin-sensitive glucoreceptors in the brain, causing appetite suppression, sympathetic nervous system activation, thermogenesis stimulation, and negative regulation of insulin secretion.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Pregnant women: 60 µg
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid ingesting more than 200 µg of chromium per day.
Breastfeeding women: 55 µg
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid ingesting more than 200 µg of chromium per day.
Child aged 1 to 3 years: 25 µg
Child aged 4 to 6 years: 35 µg
Child aged 7 to 9 years: 40 µg
Child aged 10 to 12 years: 45 µg
Adolescent aged 13 to 19 years: 50 µg
Men aged 20 to 65 years: 65 µg
Women aged 20 to 65 years: 55 µg
Men aged 66 years and over: 70 µg
Women aged 66 years and over: 60 µg
Interactions
Médicaments
Antidiabetic: moderate interaction
Chromium could lower blood glucose. Thus, it can have additive effects with antidiabetic drugs and increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Dosage adjustments of antidiabetics may be necessary.
Acetylsalicylic acid: mild interaction
Animal research suggests that acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) can increase chromium absorption and levels in the blood. Theoretically, this could lead to an excess of this trace element.
Levothyroxine: moderate interaction
Chromium is thought to bind to levothyroxine in the intestinal tract, reducing its absorption. Advise patients to take levothyroxine at least 30 minutes before or 3-4 hours after taking chromium.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: mild interaction
There is some evidence that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could increase serum chromium levels by enhancing its absorption and retention.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Chromium: moderate interaction
Herbs containing chromium may increase the risk of chromium toxicity when taken chronically or with chromium-containing supplements. Chromium-containing herbs include bilberry, brewer's yeast, cascara, horsetail, etc.
Precautions
Psychiatric disorders: avoid
Theoretically, chromium picolinate preparations could worsen psychiatric disorders. Indeed, the picolinic acid contained in these preparations may alter serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline metabolism in the central nervous system.
Type 2 diabetes: use with caution
Chromium has a hypoglycemic property. It may thus increase insulin sensitivity. Theoretically, this trace element could increase the risk of hypoglycemia if used with other antidiabetic medications. Dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs may be necessary.
Hepatic insufficiency: avoid
Chromium, in its polynicotinate form, has been linked to hepatotoxicity in at least three cases. Theoretically, it could exacerbate symptoms in patients with hepatic insufficiency. Supplementation should be avoided in this case.
Renal insufficiency: avoid
At least three renal injuries have been reported in patients who took chromium picolinate. Theoretically, chromium could exacerbate symptoms of renal insufficiency.
Contraindications
Allergies: forbidden
Chromium supplements may cause allergic reactions in individuals with chromate allergy, including dermatitis and erythema.
