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Chromium Supplements Review

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

Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

 
Updated June 29, 2023 ⓘ
Chromium Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab.com

Summary

  • What does chromium do?

    Chromium is an essential trace mineral needed for insulin function. Supplementing with chromium may be of modest benefit to some people with type 2 diabetes. One study suggests it may help people with reactive hypoglycemia. Although touted for weight loss, the evidence is weak. (See What It Is and What It Does).

  • How much chromium should I take?

    The daily requirement for chromium ranges from 11 mcg in young children to 45 mcg in lactating women. These amounts can be obtained from the diet (see Adequate intake and Chromium from food). However, much greater amounts (200 mcg to 1,000 mcg per day) are typically taken for therapeutic uses (See Dosage). Certain forms may be better absorbed than others (See Chromium from supplements).

  • Best choice for chromium?

    Among the products Approved in testing, CL selected three (of different strengths) as its Top Picks.

  • How to take chromium?

    You can take chromium with water or food, but it may be best not to take it along with a supplement or dairy foods providing large amounts of calcium because calcium may reduce chromium absorption.

  • Safety and side effects of chromium:

    Chromium at doses of 200 mcg or more daily can cause side-effects (See Concerns and Cautions).
Products Tested in 2018

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

View Larger Image 6190_small_365-Chromium-Small-2018.jpg

365 [Whole Foods] Chromium Picolinate

View Larger Image 6193_small_EzMelts-Chromium-Small-2018.jpg

ez Melts Chromium

View Larger Image 6191_small_GNC-Chromium-Small-2018.jpg

GNC Chromium Picolinate

View Larger Image 6195_small_OrthoMolecular-Chromium-Small-2018.jpg

Ortho Molecular Products Reacted Chromium

View Larger Image 6194_small_PuritansPride-Chromium-Small-2018.jpg

Puritan’s Pride Chromium Picolinate

View Larger Image 6192_small_SourceNaturals-Chromium-Small-2018.jpg

Source Naturals Chromium Picolinate

View Larger Image 6196_small_SpringValley-Chromium-Small-2018.jpg

Spring Valley Chromium Picolinate

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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Additional Information
Tested through CL's Quality Certification Program prior to, or after initial posting of this Product Review.