Chromium is an essential mineral for good health. Research has shown that it may be helpful for certain health conditions… and less than helpful for others.
There may be a connection between insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes and chromium. For people with type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t use insulin effectively — insulin is the stuff that helps the body store and use glucose. A chromium deficiency can also impair the body’s ability to use glucose. Could chromium supplements help diabetics manage their disease? So far, study results have been inconclusive. Only one study out of fifteen showed that chromium supplements had an effect on insulin levels and glucose function in the body.
More studies are planned to explore the issue further. If a naturally occurring mineral can help diabetics manage their disease with less medication needed, that’s great in my book!
Chromium may be able to help people with high levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol. Some studies have shown that daily chromium supplements can help lower LDL and triglyceride levels in some people. However, researchers are running into trouble with determining initial chromium levels and other factors that make it hard to have conclusive results.
Some supplement makers claim that chromium can help reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass, but many studies have shown that chromium has no significant impact on weight loss or body composition.
Chromium can also interact with medications. Medications like antacids and corticosteroids can reduce the body’s absorption of chromium because they change stomach chemistry. Other medications can actually have their effects enhanced by chromium — like beta-blockers, insulin, NSAIDs, and some other pain medications.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a chromium supplement. Most people get all the chromium they need from eating a healthy, balanced diet — a supplement isn’t necessary.