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Chromium Supplements Review

Chromium Supplements Review. Best Chromium Supplements Identified -- By Strength

Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. cooperman.png

Initially Posted: 07/07/2018
Chromium Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab.com

Alphabetical list of chromium-containing supplement brands compared in this review

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Puritan’s Pride Chromium Picolinate

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365 [Whole Foods] Chromium Picolinate

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ez Melts Chromium

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GNC Chromium Picolinate

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Ortho Molecular Products Reacted Chromium

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Source Naturals Chromium Picolinate

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Spring Valley [Walmart] Chromium Picolinate

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Chromium is an essential mineral, important for insulin function. Chromium supplementation is promoted to help with blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and with weight loss. But does it really work, and if so, which products are best? 

ConsumerLab.com recently tested popular chromium supplements and reviewed the clinical evidence. After purchasing chromium products at retail, each was tested for its amount of chromium and potential contamination with a potentially toxic form of chromium known as hexavalent chromium or chromium VI. All tablets and caplets were tested to be sure they would break down properly in disintegration tests. 

Among the products that passed our tests, we selected our Top Picks, representing the best quality and value. These Top Picks include those providing 200 mcg, 500 mcg, and 1,000 mcg per unit, because there is a wide variation in strength among products. This means that if you rely on supplement labels, you could be getting too much chromium, or not enough, depending on your needs and your reason for taking it.
You must be a ConsumerLab.com member to get the full test results and reviews for seven chromium supplements. Six of these were selected for review by ConsumerLab.com and one other product passed the same testing in CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program. In the review, you'll learn:
  • ConsumerLab's Top Picks for chromium supplements based on quality, dose and value
  • Which products passed or failed our tests and why
  • How chromium supplements compare on ingredients, dosage, and cost
  • The pros and cons of different forms of chromium (such as chromium picolinate, chromium polynicotinate, chromium chloride) and which may be best for you — plus, what you should know about "GTF" chromium
  • Dosage of chromium for specific uses and the evidence for or against those uses (including diabetes, weight loss, hypoglycemia, and memory enhancement)
  • Safety, side effects, and other concerns to consider when using chromium supplements

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Related CL Answers (4)

I take insulin (Humalog) for diabetes. Are there supplements that could affect my blood sugar levels and how much insulin I need to take?

Learn more about the interactions between certain supplements and insulin (sold as Humalog, Humulin, Iletin, Lantus, Levemir, Novolin, Novolog, Velosulin, etc.). ConsumerLab's answer explains.

My doctor told me to stop taking supplements because my kidney function was low. After stopping, my kidney function returned to normal. Can taking a lot of supplements really damage the kidneys?

Find out which supplements may damage your kidneys. ConsumerLab explores possible kidney side effects of supplements including chromium, creatine, and vitamin C.

Are the "% DV" numbers on vitamin supplement labels really based on what I need?

Learn more about percent daily values, including if they are good standards of measure or if better upper and lower limits exist. ConsumerLab's answer explains.

Which supplements can help lower or control my blood sugar?

Find out which supplements can help lower or control blood sugar. Supplements including turmeric/curcumin, fiber, cinnamon, and ginseng are believed to help lower blood sugar. ConsumerLab's answer explains.

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