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Cr4.5
Chromium Research
Likely helps
103 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Chromium appears to help in 9 of 12 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1980–2026 with a typical study size of 637 participants.
Based on 103 studies · 43 meta-analyses · 51 RCTs · 37,346 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
9helped3unclear· 91 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Glucose & metabolicModest, low-certainty fasting-glucose and HbA1c gains, mainly in type 2 diabetes · 6-12 weeks · Supports insulin signalling; benefit small and uncertain without diabetes · 4-12 weeks
38 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
198020032026
1PCOS symptoms improvementMeta-AnalysisCited 2×n=5,501 · very large study2025
Chromium, inositol, and Omega-3 were found to be beneficial for improving lipid profile.
Zhao G et al. · Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E (2025)
Inositol significantly decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while curcumin was most effective in improving low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
Chromium, inositol, and Omega-3 were found to be beneficial for improving lipid profile.
For improving obesity, sex hormone levels, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators of PCOS patients, carnitine, chromium, and soy isoflavones are effective options, respectively.
2Fasting blood glucose reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 31×n=14,223 · very large study2023
Low to very low certainty evidence established chromium supplements as the most effective in reducing fasting blood glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (SUCRAs: 90...
Xia J et al. · Pharmacological research (2023)
Low to very low certainty evidence established chromium supplements as the most effective in reducing fasting blood glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (SUCRAs: 90.4% and 78.3%, respectively).
Vitamin K supplements ranked best in reducing glycated hemoglobin A1c and fasting insulin levels (SUCRAs: 97.0% and 82.3%, respectively), with moderate to very low certainty evidence.
Vanadium supplements ranked best in lowering total cholesterol levels with very low evidence certainty (SUCRAs:100%).
3Body weight reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 10×n=2,362 · very large study2023
Carnitine was relatively effective in reducing body mass, while chromium, Omega-3, and selenium were beneficial for improving glucose metabolism.
Hu X et al. · PeerJ (2023)
The network meta-analysis showed that carnitine, inositol, and probiotics reduced body weight and body mass index (BMI) compared to placebo, and carnitine outperformed the other supplements (SUCRAs: 96.04%, 97.73%, respectively).
Omega-3 lowered fasting blood glucose (FBG) (SUCRAs: 93.53%), and chromium reduced fasting insulin (FINS) (SUCRAs: 72.90%); both were superior to placebo in improving insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and chromium was more effective than Omega-3 (SUCRAs: 79.99%).
Selenium was potent in raising the quantitative insulin sensitivity index (QUICKI) (SUCRAs: 87.92%).
4Total cholesterol reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 17×n=7,605 · very large study2021
Our meta-analysis reveals that there was only an overall significant association between chromium supplementation with decreases in the concentration of TC.
Tarrahi MJ et al. · Pharmacological research (2021)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Our results of overall analysis show only a significant reduction in serum TC level in response to chromium supplementation (WMD: -0.17 mmol/l, 95 % CI: -0.27, -0.07, P = 0.001).
Our meta-analysis reveals that there was only an overall significant association between chromium supplementation with decreases in the concentration of TC.
Additionally, we found considerable evidence of subgroup analysis that support a significant lowering effect of chromium supplementation on TC, TG and VLDL.
6Total antioxidant capacityMeta-AnalysisCited 29×n=550 · large study2022
Chromium supplementation may improve OS parameters, however, due to high heterogeneity observed in the included studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution.
Morvaridzadeh M et al. · Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) (2022)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The obtained results indicate that chromium supplementation significantly increases TAC (SMD: 0.46; 95 % CI: 0.08, 0.84; I2 = 00.0 % n = 2) and significantly decreases MDA levels (SMD: -0.46; 95 % CI: -0.86, -0.07; I2 = 52.4 % n = 5).
Chromium supplementation may improve OS parameters, however, due to high heterogeneity observed in the included studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution.
Large RCTs on various patient groups evaluating the impact of chromium supplementation are needed to allow an adequate generalization of the benefits of chromium on human health.
7Systolic blood pressure reductionSystematic ReviewCited 7×n=637 · large study2021
The current meta-analysis, indicated that supplementation with chromium significantly decrease SBP and DBP.
Lari A et al. · High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention : the official journal of the Italian Society of Hypertension (2021)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The random-effects meta-analysis of 11 eligible RCTs with 637 participants demonstrated the significant decline in both SBP (WMD - 2.51 mmHg; 95% CI - 4.97 to - 0.05, p = 0.04) and DBP (WMD - 1.04 mmHg; 95% CI - 1.96 to - 0.12, p = 0.026) following supplementation with chromium.
Also, in stratification based on participants' health status, significant reduction in SBP only was seen in diabetic patients with chronic heart disease (CHD).
The current meta-analysis, indicated that supplementation with chromium significantly decrease SBP and DBP.
The results of the current meta-analysis study might support the use of chromium supplementation for the improvement of glycemic control indices in T2DM patients.
Asbaghi O et al. · Pharmacological Research (2020)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Results revealed significant reduction in FPG (weighted mean difference (WMD): -19.00 mg/dl, 95% CI: -36.15, -1.85, P = 0.030).
Significant reductions were also seen in insulin level (WMD: -12.35 pmol/l), HbA1C (WMD: -0.71 %, 95% CI: -1.19, -0.23, P = 0.004) and HOMA-IR (WMD: -1.53).
Twenty-eight studies reported fasting plasma glucose, insulin, HbA1C and HOMA-IR as an outcome measure.
9Body weight reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 20×n=1,316 · large study2019
Chromium supplementation was associated with some improvements in body composition in subjects with obesity/overweight.
Tsang C et al. · Clinical Obesity (2019)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Pooled analysis showed significant reductions in anthropometric indices associated with body composition; for weight loss (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -0.75 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.04, -0.45, P < 0.001).
Body fat percentage was reduced (WMD: -0.68%, 95% CI, -1.32, -0.03, P = 0.04) in individuals with overweight/obesity.
The effect size was medium and the clinical relevance of chromium as a weight loss aid remains uncertain.