Chromium Interactions Overview

Additional Details

Is Chromium Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Chromium is generally considered safe when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts, both in the short-term and long-term. For children, it is safe when used in amounts not exceeding the recommended daily intake levels by age. Pregnant and lactating individuals can also use it safely within the recommended intake levels, but pregnant individuals should consult with a healthcare provider before taking chromium supplements. Overall, chromium is well-tolerated, but like any supplement, it should be used according to recommended dosages and under medical supervision when necessary.

How Does Chromium Work? What Is the Mechanism of Action?

Chromium is an essential trace element that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions. The active form of chromium, known as chromium III, is found in foods and supplements. It is sometimes referred to as "glucose tolerance factor" (GTF). Chromium is believed to enhance insulin sensitivity by increasing the number and affinity of insulin receptors and improving insulin binding to cells. It also appears to aid in the transport of glucose into cells, particularly muscle cells, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. Chromium may reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and some complications associated with diabetes. Additionally, it has potential effects on lipid metabolism and body composition, making it of interest in weight management and metabolic syndrome treatment.

Pharmacokinetics

When ingested, most chromium is excreted unabsorbed in feces, with only a small percentage (0.4% to 2.5%) being absorbed and quickly excreted in urine. Chromium absorption is influenced by its salt form, with picolinate and nicotinate salts showing better absorption than inorganic salts. After absorption, chromium binds to transferrin and distributes throughout various tissues in the body. Chromium retention decreases with age, and its excretion may increase during stressors like elevated blood sugar or physical activity.

Interaction Overview (See Full List Below)

Chromium may interact with various drugs, supplements, and conditions. It can have moderate interactions with antidiabetic drugs and insulin, potentially increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Chromium might also interact with aspirin, levothyroxine, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). When it comes to supplements, it can interact with chromium-containing herbs and supplements, hypoglycemic supplements, iron, vitamin C, and zinc. There are specific interactions related to behavioral and psychiatric disorders, chromate/leather contact allergy, kidney disease, and liver disease.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Orally, chromium is generally well-tolerated. The most common adverse effects include gastrointestinal irritation, headaches, insomnia, irritability, and mood changes. Rare cases of kidney and liver damage, rhabdomyolysis, and thrombocytopenia have been reported but are rare. Dermatologic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematologic, hepatic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, psychiatric, renal, and other side effects are also possible but infrequent.

Are Supplements Standardized?

Chromium supplements come in various forms, with the most common being synthetic chromium picolinate. Other forms include chromium chloride and chromium polynicotinate. Chromium may also be found in brewer's yeast or chromium yeast. Chromium picolinate contains 12.4% elemental trivalent chromium. The choice of chromium form in supplements may affect its absorption and bioavailability.

What Is Chromium Typically Used For?

Chromium is used for several purposes:

• Likely Effective: It is effective for treating and preventing chromium deficiency.
• Possibly Effective: Chromium may modestly improve glycemic control in diabetes, particularly at doses exceeding 200 mcg daily and in poorly controlled diabetes. Its potential to prevent diabetes development is uncertain. For hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, schizophrenia, and several other conditions, the evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited or inconclusive.
• Insufficient Reliable Evidence: Chromium's benefits for antiretroviral-induced insulin resistance, athletic performance, atypical depression, beta blocker-induced dyslipidemia, binge eating disorder, bipolar disorder, cognitive impairment, hyperlipidemia, hypoglycemia, metabolic syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and Turner syndrome require further research to establish.

Chromium's role in these conditions depends on its effects on insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, oxidative stress reduction, and other mechanisms, but additional research is needed to confirm its efficacy in many cases.

Drugs that interact with Chromium