Chromium for Blood Sugar: One Striking Trial, Decades of Mixed Results
Chromium picolinate is sold to steady blood sugar and curb cravings. Its reputation rests largely on one large trial in China, and the results since have been smaller and inconsistent. Here is what the trials found, what regulators allow on the label, and who should be careful.
By Kymata Health Editorial Published Last checked
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NOW Foods GTF Chromium, 200 mcg, 100 Tabs
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Label: 1 tablet: 200 mcg elemental chromium (from 8,000 mcg chromium nicotinate glycinate, Albion).
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Key takeaways
From 7 sources- The trial behind chromium's reputation gave 180 adults with type 2 diabetes placebo, 200 mcg or 1,000 mcg a day; after 4 months HbA1c averaged 8.5%, 7.5% and 6.6%1.
- A 2002 meta-analysis found no effect on glucose or insulin in people without diabetes, and the positive diabetes data came from that single trial in China2.
- Later pooled analyses in diabetes found an average HbA1c drop of about 0.55 points, but a 2016 review found few trials reached meaningful treatment goals34.
- FDA allows only a qualified claim stating that any link between chromium picolinate and insulin resistance or diabetes is highly uncertain5.
- Chromium may add to the effect of insulin and other diabetes drugs, and it cut levothyroxine absorption when taken at the same time56.
What this article covers
1 evidence profileThe evidence, graded
Pulled from the trial tables in our evidence profiles. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
Graded findings
2 rows- CGrade CFasting glucose and insulinNo effect No effect on glucose or insulin in people without diabetes; results in diabetes were inconclusive and driven by one trial in China.Chromium · Meta-analysis · n=618 · 2002 · PMID 12081828
- CGrade CBody weight in overweight or obese adultsImproved Weight fell 1.1 kg more than with placebo (95% CI −1.7 to −0.4), which the Cochrane authors called of debatable clinical relevance; low-quality evidence and no dose gradient.Chromium · Systematic review · n=392 · 2013 · PMID 24293292
Where these trials agree: Chromium and blood sugar, counted row by row in the Consensus finder.
The trial that started it
In 1997, researchers randomized 180 men and women with type 2 diabetes, already under medical care, to placebo, 100 mcg of chromium as chromium picolinate twice a day, or 500 mcg twice a day1. Participants kept their usual medicines, diet and habits1.
After 4 months, HbA1c averaged 8.5% on placebo, 7.5% on 200 mcg a day and 6.6% on 1,000 mcg a day1. Fasting glucose was lower on the high dose (7.1 vs 8.8 mmol/L), and fasting and post-load insulin fell in both chromium groups1. The benefits appeared at intakes above the top of the then-recommended safe and adequate daily range, as the authors noted1.
The paper says the work was funded in part by the Diabetes Action Foundation; the chromium picolinate was furnished by Nutrition 21, a chromium picolinate supplier, and the authors acknowledged Nutrition 21's support for the analyses done in China1.
What happened when others looked again
A 2002 meta-analysis, prepared under contract to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, pooled 15 trials with 618 people2. It found no association between chromium and glucose or insulin in people without diabetes2. In diabetes, the 155-person trial in China showed benefit, while the combined data from the 38 people with diabetes in the other trials did not2.
A 2014 meta-analysis of 25 trials in diabetes reported average drops of 0.55 percentage points in HbA1c (95% CI 0.22 to 0.88) and 1.15 mmol/L in fasting glucose, with no more adverse events than placebo3. Its PubMed record does not state funding3.
A 2016 review of 20 randomized trials in type 2 diabetes took a stricter view4. Fasting glucose reached the authors' treatment goal in only 5 of 20 trials and HbA1c fell by at least 0.5 points in 5 of 14, so they saw little rationale for chromium for glycemic control4.
In a 24-week trial of 137 adults with type 2 diabetes, 1,000 mcg a day of chromium picolinate did not change insulin sensitivity, fasting glucose or HbA1c versus placebo, although the people who did respond had worse baseline control5.
What regulators and diabetes groups say
FDA allows only one qualified health claim for chromium picolinate: one small study suggests it may reduce the risk of insulin resistance and possibly type 2 diabetes, but FDA concludes the relationship is highly uncertain5.
The American Diabetes Association said in 2010 that it could not recommend chromium for people with diabetes or obesity, and in 2015 that evidence was insufficient to support routine micronutrient supplements for glycemic control5.
Chromium is also sold for weight loss. A Cochrane review found chromium picolinate lowered weight by 1.1 kg more than placebo over 12 to 16 weeks, an effect the authors called of debatable clinical relevance7.
What is in a chromium supplement
Single-ingredient chromium supplements commonly provide 200 to 500 mcg and some up to 1,000 mcg, while multivitamins typically contain 35 to 120 mcg5. Absorption is low whatever the form: about 1.2% from chromium picolinate and about 0.4% from chromium chloride5. Labels list elemental chromium, not the weight of the whole compound5.
No upper limit has been set because no adverse effects were linked to high intakes, but the Food and Nutrition Board noted that data are limited and caution may be warranted5. The chromium page grades each finding.
For other options, see our blood sugar supplements review and the berberine and cinnamon explainers.
Who should be careful
Check with a prescriber or pharmacist before adding chromium if any of these apply:
- Insulin, metformin or other diabetes drugs: chromium might add to their glucose-lowering effect and raise the risk of low blood sugar5.
- Levothyroxine: in a study of 7 volunteers, chromium picolinate taken at the same time lowered levothyroxine absorption, and the authors advised separating the two by several hours6.
- Kidney or liver disease: the Food and Nutrition Board noted these groups may be more susceptible to adverse effects of high chromium intakes5.
- Unusual symptoms: isolated case reports link chromium supplements to weight loss, anaemia, low platelets, liver dysfunction, kidney failure, muscle breakdown, dermatitis and low blood sugar5.
Quick answers
Common questions
4 answersDoes chromium lower A1C?
Does chromium help people without diabetes?
A meta-analysis of randomized trials found no effect on glucose or insulin in people without diabetes2.
Does chromium reduce sugar cravings?
Which form of chromium is best?
Absorption is low for all forms, about 1.2% for chromium picolinate and 0.4% for chromium chloride, and most diabetes trials used picolinate5.
Keep reading
Full evidence profiles
Every graded study, studied doses, interactions and safetyRelated articles
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Where to buy Chromium
Products from brands we partner with that contain Chromium. Check the amount per serving against the doses studied, and the label for other ingredients.
Chromium products from partner brands
2 products Paid links · we earn a commission- Quick pickHerbsProNOW Foods GTF Chromium, 200 mcg, 100 Tabs
1 tablet: 200 mcg elemental chromium (from 8,000 mcg chromium nicotinate glycinate, Albion)
$5.61one-timeChecked Oct 14, 2026 - SupersmartCrominex 3+5% off with the Supersmart newsletterGet 5% off with the newsletter (paid link, opens in new tab)
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2 capsules: 400 mcg chromium (Crominex 3+, chromium stabilised with amla extract and shilajit), within the 200–1,000 mcg/day range studied and about 11–20 times the Adequate Intake; 60 servings
$20.00one-time$17.00subscribeChecked Oct 11, 2026
References
7 sources. Numbers in the text link here.
Sources cited in this article
7 sources- 1Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetesDiabetes, 1997 · PMID 9356027
- 2Glucose and insulin responses to dietary chromium supplements: a meta-analysisAm J Clin Nutr, 2002 · PMID 12081828
- 3Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of chromium supplementation in diabetesJ Clin Pharm Ther, 2014 · PMID 24635480
- 4Chromium supplements for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: limited evidence of effectivenessNutr Rev, 2016 · PMID 27261273
- 5Chromium: Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsNIH Office of Dietary Supplements, 2022
- 6New medications which decrease levothyroxine absorptionThyroid, 2007 · PMID 17725434
- 7Chromium picolinate supplementation for overweight or obese adultsCochrane Database Syst Rev, 2013 · PMID 24293292
Chromium and other dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Talk to your clinician or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines. Product links on this page are paid partner links.