Chromium Supplements Review

• 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).
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  Best choice for chromium?

  Among the products Approved in testing (see How Products Were Evaluated and What CL Found), 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).

Also see our Cinnamon Review, which includes cinnamon supplements with added chromium.