What is the recommended dose of Chromium?

- **Diabetes support:** 200-1,000mcg/day chromium picolinate - **General supplementation:** 200-400mcg/day - **Weight management:** 400-1,000mcg/day (evidence is weak) - Adequate intake is only 25-...

Is Chromium safe to take daily?

Chromium is rated "Use Caution" based on clinical evidence. - Generally well tolerated at standard doses - Headache, insomnia, and mood changes reported at high doses - Isolated case reports of kidney and liver toxicity at extremely high doses (>1,200mcg/day) - Chromium picolinate: one case report o

Does Chromium interact with any medications?

Chromium has 3 known drug interactions, including interactions with Insulin / diabetes medications, Levothyroxine, NSAIDs (ibuprofen). Check with your doctor before combining with prescription medications.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Chromium

MODERATE EVIDENCEMineralLast updated April 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

Chromium is a trace mineral involved in insulin signaling and glucose metabolism. Our research shows modest evidence for blood sugar reduction in type 2 diabetes and even weaker evidence for weight loss or body composition. The effect exists but is small — chromium won't replace medication or lifestyle changes. Chromium picolinate is the most studied and most bioavailable form.

EVIDENCE GRADES

Fasting blood glucose (T2D)Moderate — meta-analysis shows small effect (PMID: 24635480)

B-

HbA1c reductionLimited — some trials positive, others null

C+

Weight/body compositionWeak — small effects, mostly in overweight/obese

Depression (adjunct)Preliminary — chromium picolinate specifically

Insulin sensitivity (non-diabetic)Not supported in healthy individuals

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Diabetes support: 200-1,000mcg/day chromium picolinate
General supplementation: 200-400mcg/day
Weight management: 400-1,000mcg/day (evidence is weak)
Adequate intake is only 25-35mcg/day — most supplements provide 5-30x this

Scan a supplement containing Chromium

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Insulin / diabetes medicationsModerate

Additive blood sugar lowering → hypoglycemia risk

LevothyroxineModerate

Chromium picolinate may reduce thyroid hormone absorption. Separate by ≥4 hours.

NSAIDs (ibuprofen)Minor

Chromium may enhance NSAID absorption

SAFETY PROFILE

Drug Interactions

Side Effects

Generally well tolerated at standard doses
Headache, insomnia, and mood changes reported at high doses
Isolated case reports of kidney and liver toxicity at extremely high doses (>1,200mcg/day)
Chromium picolinate: one case report of rhabdomyolysis (extremely rare)

Pregnancy & Lactation

Adequate intake increases to 29-44mcg/day during pregnancy/lactation. Supplementation at this level is safe.

WADA Status

Not Prohibited

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

Chromium picolinate preferred form (most bioavailable, most studied)

Chromium chloride and chromium nicotinate: lower bioavailability

Diabetes medication users: automatic hypoglycemia warning

Products claiming "fat burner" or "metabolism booster" with chromium: flag — evidence doesn't support these claims

Thyroid medication users: separation timing alert

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Suksomboon N et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of chromium supplementation in diabetes.

PMID: 24635480

Cefalu WT, Hu FB. Role of chromium in human health and in diabetes.

PMID: 16174292

Broadhurst CL, Domenico P. Clinical studies on chromium picolinate supplementation in diabetes mellitus.

PMID: 16973987

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Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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