Supplements Vitamins & Minerals What Is Chromium Picolinate? By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong Facebook Twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 18, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Meredith Bull, ND Medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND Facebook LinkedIn Meredith Bull, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a private practice in Los Angeles, California. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Side Effects Dosage and Preparation What to Look For Frequently Asked Questions Chromium is a mineral that humans require in trace amounts. It's found in small quantities in meat, whole grains, some fruits and vegetables, and spices. In 1959, chromium was first identified as an element that enables the hormone insulin to function properly. Since then, chromium has been studied for diabetes and has become a popular dietary supplement. It is widely available in health food stores, drug stores and online. What Is Chromium Picolinate Used For? Chromium is believed to help the body process carbohydrates and fats. It is marketed as a weight loss aid for dieters and an ergogenic (muscle-building) aid for bodybuilders and athletes. One form, chromium picolinate, is popular because it is one of the more easily absorbed forms. Research on the benefits of chromium to enhance fat loss and increase performance in bodybuilders and athletes has provided mixed results. The best designed studies have not found benefit of chromium supplementation on body composition or loss of weight and fat. Chromium picolinate is also used in the treatment of diabetes and depression. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the relationship between chromium and these conditions. Research is ongoing. Randomized controlled trials have failed to demonstrate a link between chromium supplementation and the prevention or treatment of type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Other uses for chromium picolinate include the prevention or treatment of: Age-related mental declineHigh blood sugar in HIV patientsLow blood sugarHigh blood cholesterol caused by medicationMetabolic syndromeHeart attacksPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)Bipolar disorderTurner's syndromeHigh blood sugar related to steroid use Currently, there is not enough evidence to support the use of chromium supplements for these uses. Possible Side Effects In 1995, a study headed by Diane Stearns, Ph.D., at Dartmouth College, generated controversy about the safety of chromium picolinate. The researchers added high concentrations of chromium picolinate, chromium chloride or chromium nicotinate to hamster cells in culture and found that only chromium picolinate could damage the genetic material of the hamster cells. Other laboratory studies using cell cultures have suggested chromium picolinate causes oxidative stress and DNA damage. However, there is no evidence of DNA damage from trivalent chromium in living organisms. Critics say that the scientists used unrealistically high doses and that administering chromium to cells in test tubes is not the same as taking chromium supplements orally. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has acknowledged the possibility of negative impact from high oral intakes of trivalent chromium, but in the absence of evidence to suggest otherwise, has not set a maximum limit for ingestion. There is very little information, however, about the safety of long-term use of chromium. There have been rare clinical case reports of adverse side effects after taking chromium picolinate supplements. For example, a report published in the journal The Annals of Pharmacotherapy described the case of a 33-year-old woman who developed kidney failure, liver damage, and anemia after taking 1,200 to 2,400 micrograms of chromium picolinate (approximately six to 12 times the recommended daily allowance) for five months for weight loss. The woman was being actively treated with antipsychotic medication, so it’s difficult to say whether it was the chromium, the combination of chromium with the medication, or another medical problem that was responsible for the reaction. In a separate case report, a 24-year-old man who had been taking a supplement containing chromium picolinate for two weeks during his workout sessions developed acute kidney failure. Although chromium picolinate was the suspected cause, it's important to note that there were other ingredients in the supplement which may have been responsible. Possible side effects of chromium picolinate include: Decreased action of insulinStomach irritationItchingFlushingRarely, a fast or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)Rarely, liver problemsRarely, kidney damage There are some concerns that chromium picolinate may affect levels of neurotransmitters (substances in the body that transmit nerve impulses). This may potentially be a concern for people with conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Chromium picolinate, in high amounts, may have an additive effect if combined with diabetes medication and cause blood glucose levels to dip too low. It's important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any form of chromium if you are also taking diabetes medication. Chromium supplements taken with medications that block the formation of prostaglandins (hormone-like substances), such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, and aspirin, may increase the absorption of chromium in the body. Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Dosage and Preparation The Adequate Intake (AI) for chromium has been defined as 35 mcg/day for females between the ages of 14 and 50, decreasing to 30 mcg/day over the age of 50. Males between the ages of 19 and 50 require 25 mcg/day and 20 mcg/day over the age of 50. However, according to medical sources, adequate amounts are usually obtained in the diet from foods such as meat, fish, fruits, and whole grains. There is not enough scientific information to establish safe and tolerable upper intake levels of chromium. What to Look For Chromium picolinate is one of the most popular supplements sold in vitamin shops and natural food stores. You may also find this supplement in your local grocery store. However, not all supplements have been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. To ensure quality and safety, opt for supplements that have have been independently tested by a certifying body like the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International, or ConsumerLab. The certification confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients and ingredient amounts listed on the product label. Always read to the label to check of added ingredients you may be allergic or sensitive to, including gluten and animal-based gelatins. Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. If you're considering the use of chromium or any other form of alternative medicine, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. What Vitamins And Minerals Are Missing In People Who Have IBD? Frequently Asked Questions Can chromium picolinate help you lose weight? There's some evidence that the supplement could help you lose weight and reduce body fat, but the loss is very small. It doesn't seem to change waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio, which are how many people judge whether they look and feel like they’ve lost weight. Learn More: How to Lose Weight When You're Obese Is it safe to take chromium picolinate? For most people, yes. But chromium picolinate should not be used by people with kidney or liver disease. If you're on insulin, anti-diabetes medications, or levothyroxine, talk to your doctor before taking a chromium picolinate supplement. Learn More: What You Should Know About Diabetes Medications Can I get chromium from food? Yes. Beef, liver, eggs, chicken, oysters, and broccoli contain chromium. Some other meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and spices are also good sources of chromium. Learn More: Brewer's Yeast: Source of Chromium and Other Nutrients Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Chromium dietary supplement fact sheet. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Chromium. Dietary reference intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2001:197-223. Mount Sinai. Chromium. Komorowski JR, Tuzcu M, Sahin N, et al. Chromium picolinate modulates serotonergic properties and carbohydrate metabolism in a rat model of diabetes. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2012;149(1):50-6. doi:10.1007/s12011-012-9393-x MedlinePlus. Chromium in diet. Additional Reading Chromium. Professional Monograph. Natural Medicines. Bailey MM, Boohaker JG, Sawyer RD, Behling JE, Rasco JF, Jernigan JJ, Hood RD, Vincent JB. "Exposure of pregnant mice to chromium picolinate results in skeletal defects in their offspring." Birth Defects Research, Part B, Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology. 77.3: 244-249. Cerulli J, Grabe DW, Gauthier I, Malone M, McGoldrick MD. "Chromium picolinate toxicity." The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 32.4: 428-431. Coryell VH, Stearns DM. "Molecular analysis of hprt mutations induced by chromium picolinate in CHO AA8 cells." Mutation Research. 610.1-2: 114-123. Vincent JB. The potential value and toxicity of chromium picolinate as a nutritional supplement, weight loss agent, and muscle development agent. Sports Medicine. 33.3: 213-230. Wani S, Weskamp C, Marple J, Spry L. "Acute tubular necrosis associated with chromium picolinate-containing dietary supplement." The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 40.3: 563-566. Young PC, Turiansky GW, Bonner MW, Benson PM. "Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis induced by chromium picolinate." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 41.5: 820-823.