Cr9.0

Chromium Research

57 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10

The effectiveness of nutritional supplements in improving polycystic ovary syndrome in women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Zhao G et al. • Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E (2025)

Chromium, inositol, and Omega-3 were found to be beneficial for improving lipid profile.

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.

Meta-Analysisn=5,501

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Comparative effects of vitamin and mineral supplements in the management of type 2 diabetes in primary care: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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...

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%).

Meta-Analysisn=14,223

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Comparison of nutritional supplements in improving glycolipid metabolism and endocrine function in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Hu X et al. • PeerJ (2023)

Carnitine was relatively effective in reducing body mass, while chromium, Omega-3, and selenium were beneficial for improving glucose metabolism.

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%).

Meta-Analysisn=2,362

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Contact allergy to metals in metalworkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Alinaghi F et al. • Contact dermatitis (2023)

The pooled proportion (95% confidence interval) of Co, Cr and Ni in European metalworkers with dermatitis referred to patch test clinics was 8.2% (5.3%-11.7%), 8.0% (5.1%-11.4%), and 11.0% (7.3%-15...

The pooled proportion (95% confidence interval) of Co, Cr and Ni in European metalworkers with dermatitis referred to patch test clinics was 8.2% (5.3%-11.7%), 8.0% (5.1%-11.4%), and 11.0% (7.3%-15.4%), respectively.
The corresponding estimates for unselected metalworkers from workplace studies were 4.9% (2.4%-8.1%), 5.2% (1.0%-12.6%), and 7.6% (3.8%-12.6%), respectively.
In comparison, the prevalence of metal allergy in 13 382 consecutive European males with dermatitis was 3.9% (3.6%-4.2%), 4.4% (4.1%-4.8%) and 6.7% (6.3%-7.0%) for Co, Cr and Ni, respectively.

Meta-Analysisn=5,691

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The effects of chromium supplementation on lipidprofile in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis ofrandomized controlled trials

Tarrahi MJ et al. • Pharmacological research (2021)

Our meta-analysis reveals that there was only an overall significant association between chromium supplementation with decreases in the concentration of TC.

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.

Meta-Analysisn=7,605

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The effects of chromium supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Ghanbari M et al. • European journal of clinical nutrition (2022)

The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.

A random-effects model was used to compute weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Chromium supplementation did not significantly change SBP (WMD: -0.642: 95% CI: (-2.15, 1.30) mmHg; p = 0.312; I2 = 12.7%) and DBP (WMD: -0.10; 95% CI: (-1.39, 1.18) mmHg; p = 0.070; I2 = 37.6%).
Subgroup analysis based on dose and duration of chromium supplementation also did not significantly change the mean of SBP and DBP.

Meta-Analysisn=624

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The effect of chromium intake on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Morvaridzadeh M et al. • Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) (2022)

Chromium supplementation may improve OS parameters, however, due to high heterogeneity observed in the included studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution.

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.

Meta-Analysisn=550

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The Impact of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta‑Analysis of Randomized‑Controlled Trials

Lari A et al. • High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention : the official journal of the Italian Society of Hypertension (2021)

The current meta-analysis, indicated that supplementation with chromium significantly decrease SBP and DBP.

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.

Systematic Reviewn=637

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The effect of chromium supplementation on glycemic indices in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Asbaghi O et al. • Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology (2020)

Chromium supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and insulin levels in type 2 diabetes patients.

Fasting blood glucose was reduced by -17.24 mg/dL with chromium supplementation
HbA1c was significantly reduced by -0.54%
Fasting insulin was reduced; effects were stronger at doses above 200 mcg/day

Meta-Analysisn=1,444

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Chromium supplementation in overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Tsang C et al. • Clinical Obesity (2019)

Chromium supplementation produced a modest but significant reduction in body weight and body fat percentage.

Chromium supplementation reduced body weight by -0.50 kg (95% CI: -0.96 to -0.04)
Body fat percentage was reduced by -0.46% vs placebo
Chromium picolinate was the most commonly studied and effective form

Meta-Analysisn=1,316

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The effect of chromium supplementation on cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial

Monfared V et al. • Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) (2025)

The results of this experiment show that chromium supplementation had a positive effect on blood sugar control and various factors including weight, BMI, SBP, DBP, triglycerides, and waist circumference, and had an effective role in improving the level of liver enzymes.

The results of this experiment show that chromium supplementation had a positive effect on blood sugar control and various factors including weight, BMI, SBP, DBP, triglycerides, and waist circumference, and had an effective role in improving the level of liver enzymes.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysis

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Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Serum Levels of Inflammatory Mediators: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on Randomized Clinical Trials

Gholami A et al. • Biological trace element research (2025)

The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

In contrast, chromium supplementation resulted in a non-significant decrease in serum levels of IL-6 (WMD = -0.63 pg/ml; 95% CI: -1.67, 0.4 pg/ml; P < 0.001).
Our study supports the beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on serum concentration of CRP and TNF-α, but our results showed that chromium supplementation non-significantly reduced the serum levels of IL-6.
However, it seems that chromium formulation, participants' BMI, sample size, and geographical region are strong variables that predict the effect of chromium supplementation on inflammatory mediators.

Meta-Analysis

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The comet assay as a tool in human biomonitoring of exposure to heavy metals - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Møller P et al. • Mutation research. Reviews in mutation research (2025)

Subgroup analysis indicates that all studies combined from middle-income countries have higher effect size (1.99, 95 % CI: 1.63, 2.35) than have studies from high-income countries (0.81, 95 % CI: 0...

Subgroup analysis indicates that all studies combined from middle-income countries have higher effect size (1.99, 95 % CI: 1.63, 2.35) than have studies from high-income countries (0.81, 95 % CI: 0.37, 1.26).
The lower effect size in high-income countries may be due to differences in exposure levels, related to stricter regulation of emissions or more awareness/use of personal protective equipment in the working environment.
Sensitivity analysis does not unequivocally link effect size to comet assay measurement bias, inferred by insufficient information on comet assay procedures, missing assay controls, non-blinded analysis of samples, or exposure misclassification.

Meta-Analysisn=66

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Trace elements and Alzheimer dementia in population-based studies: A bibliometric and meta-analysis

Li K et al. • Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) (2023)

In a further meta-analysis, standardized mean differences (SMDs) of 13 elements were calculated to evaluate their altered in AD patients, including copper, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese, lead, al...

In a further meta-analysis, standardized mean differences (SMDs) of 13 elements were calculated to evaluate their altered in AD patients, including copper, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese, lead, aluminum, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, mercury, cobalt, and manganese.
We identified four trace elements-copper (serum), iron (plasma), zinc (hair), and selenium (plasma)-altered in AD patients, with SMDs of 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10, 0.65), -0.68 (95% CI: -1.34, -0.02), -0.35 (95% CI: -0.62, -0.08), and -0.61 (95% CI: -0.97, -0.25), respectively.
Finally, we formed a database of various trace element levels in AD patients and healthy controls.

Meta-Analysisn=73

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Comparisons of Different Bearing Surfaces in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Analysis

Zheng C et al. • The Journal of arthroplasty (2023)

Bearings containing HXP, HXPE, and ceramic liners showed comparable survivorship and hip function at follow-up of 5 and 10 years.

Bearings containing HXP, HXPE, and ceramic liners showed comparable survivorship and hip function at follow-up of 5 and 10 years.
Hard-on-hard bearings containing metal had higher serum level of metal ions than others.
Bearings containing conventional polyethylene had worse performance in terms of implant survival, hip function, and wear rates.

Systematic Reviewn=64

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Chromium supplementation and type 2 diabetes mellitus: an extensive systematic review

Georgaki MN et al. • Environmental geochemistry and health (2024)

The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.

Glycemic control markers, including FPG, insulin, HbA1C, and HOMA-IR levels, significantly decrease following chromium supplementation, mainly in studies with a longer intervention period.
Supplementing with chromium (Cr) indicated that could significantly improve lipid profile by raising high-density lipoprotein and lowering triglyceride and total cholesterol while having little effect on low-density lipoprotein.
However, most research findings include significant limitations, such as inconsistent dosage and type of chromium, formulation of supplements, and study duration.

Systematic Review

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Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Lipid Profile: an Umbrella of Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Vajdi M et al. • Biological trace element research (2023)

The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

However, subgroup analysis by the intervention dose suggested that chromium supplementation in doses higher than 500 µg/day could significantly decrease TG.
The available evidence proposes no beneficial effects of chromium intervention on blood lipids.
As a result, it cannot be used as a single therapy to treat adults with lipid abnormalities.

Meta-Analysis

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Complications and mid to long term outcomes for hip resurfacing versus total hip replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kumar P et al. • European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie (2023)

Despite similar function and revision rates, HRA was seen to have lesser associated complications and ionic levels may not be a detrimental issue.

On meta-analysis, overall complications rates were significantly lower in HRA compared to the THA group with an Odds ratio (OR) of 2.17 (95% CI 1.21, 3.88; p = 0.009).
No difference was seen between the two groups in terms of revision rate (OR 1.06 95% CI 0.57, 1.99; p = 0.85).
Functional outcomes in both the groups were satisfactory but the Harris Hip Score was found to be significantly better in the resurfacing group (MD 2.99 95% CI - 4.01, - 1.96, p < 0.00001).

Meta-Analysis

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Systematic review and meta-analysis for the impact of rod materials and sizes in the surgical treatment of adult spine deformity

Bowden D et al. • Spine deformity (2022)

For ASD patients undergoing posterior fixation and fusion, there are no statistically significant differences in postoperative outcomes or complications among rods of varying materials and diameters.

The pooled proportion (95% CI) of pseudarthrosis was 15% (7-22%) for CoCr and 12% (- 8-32%) for stainless steel (SS) (n = 2 studies each; Chi2 = 0.07, p = 0.79).
The pooled proportion (95% CI) of broken rods was 12% (1-22%) for Ti (n = 3 studies) and 10% (2-19) for CoCr (n = 1 study).
Among 6.0-6.35 mm rods, the pooled (95% CI) postoperative Cobb angle (n = 2) was 12.01° (9.75°-14.28°), sagittal vertical axis angle (n = 4) was 35.32° (30.02°-40.62°), and pelvic tilt angle was 21.11° (18.35°-23.86°).

Meta-Analysisn=50

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Hair, serum and urine chromium levels in children with cognitive defects: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case control studies

Islam GMR et al. • Chemosphere (2022)

The pooled standard mean differences (SMD) showed that hair Cr levels were non-significantly lower among children with cognitive defects (-0.01 μg/g, 95% CI: -0.04, 00, p = 0.27).

The pooled standard mean differences (SMD) showed that hair Cr levels were non-significantly lower among children with cognitive defects (-0.01 μg/g, 95% CI: -0.04, 00, p = 0.27).
In serum and urine, the pooled SMD was higher in children with cognitive deficits compared with healthy control children (0.32 μg/g, 95% CI: -0.78, 1.42, p = 0.56 and 0.64 μg/g, CI: -0.07,1.36, p = 0.08; respectively).
In summary, this systematic review found no significant differences in hair, serum and urine Cr levels between children with cognitive deficits and healthy control children when all study data were pooled in the meta-analysis.

Meta-Analysisn=61

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