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Supplements/Mineral

Chromium Picolinate

Trivalent chromium for glucose handling.

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Overview

Trivalent chromium for glucose handling.

Natural sources
  • Whole foods (leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds, seafood, animal proteins)
  • Fortified foods such as cereals, breads, plant milks, and table salt
  • Mineral supplements as chelates, citrates, glycinates, or inorganic salts
Common forms
  • Chelated form (glycinate, bisglycinate, citrate, malate)
  • Inorganic salt (oxide, sulfate, chloride)
  • Liquid ionic solution
  • Topical or transdermal preparation

Mechanism of action

Potentiates insulin via chromodulin.

Pathways
  • · Potentiates insulin via chromodulin

Effects on the body

Supports
Modest HbA1c reduction

Organ system effects

Liver

Chromium Picolinate affects hepatic insulin sensitivity, lipid handling, or glucose disposal.

Evidence-based benefits

Modest HbA1c reduction

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · GI upset
Rare
    Serious

      Drug interactions

      Prescription medications (general)
      Always disclose Chromium Picolinate use to your prescriber — additive, antagonistic, or pharmacokinetic interactions are possible.
      minor

      Supplement interactions

      Pairs well with
      • A high-quality multivitamin
        Covers micronutrient cofactors that support most supplement pathways.
      • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
        Foundational anti-inflammatory support that complements most regimens.
      Avoid combining with

      No specific avoidances listed.

      Dosing & bioavailability

      Typical dose
      200–1000 mcg
      Best form
      Most evidence is based on the chelated form (glycinate, bisglycinate, citrate, malate) form.
      Timing
      Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
      With food?
      Either with or without food.

      Where to buy

      Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

      Scientific evidence8Show studies
      Meta-analysisJ Clin Pharm Ther · 2014

      Chromium meta-analysis

      Suksomboon N, et al.

      25 RCTs

      Key findings

      Reduced fasting glucose and HbA1c.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Chromium Picolinate — Modest HbA1c reduction

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Chromium Picolinate Modest HbA1c reduction" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Chromium Picolinate and "Modest HbA1c reduction". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Chromium Picolinate — randomized controlled trial

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Chromium Picolinate randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Chromium Picolinate and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Chromium Picolinate — meta-analysis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Chromium Picolinate meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Chromium Picolinate and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Chromium Picolinate — pharmacokinetics

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Chromium Picolinate pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Chromium Picolinate and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Chromium Picolinate — safety adverse events

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Chromium Picolinate safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Chromium Picolinate and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Chromium Picolinate — dose response

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Chromium Picolinate dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Chromium Picolinate and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

      Google Scholar: Chromium Picolinate — clinical evidence

      Live Scholar search

      Cross-database citation index for Chromium Picolinate as it relates to "clinical evidence".

      Key findings

      Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

      Open study
      Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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