Chromium may have some benefit for improving cholesterol profilelipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides). It does appear appears to help offset the negative effect that beta blockers can have on HDL ("good cholesterol").
Studies on whether the chromium can improve cholesterol levels have returned mixed results.113-121 One study suggests that chromium combined with grape seed extract might have a beneficial effect.121
Chromium may offer benefit for people taking drugs in the beta-blocker family. These medications, used for hypertension (high blood pressure) and other conditions, sometimes reduce HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Chromium supplements may offset this side effect.122
In people with type 2 diabetes, use of chromium may reduce triglyceride levels, according to some but not all preliminary trials.17-21 Chromium does not appear to be effective for reducing triglyceride levels in people without diabetes.20,22-25
The mineral chromium may improve cholesterol levels. Research evidence for this is mixed. However, it is important to consider that chromium may benefit It may reduce triglyceride levels in people with diabetes.
Chromium may be especially beneficial for people taking drugs in the beta-blocker family. These medications, used for high blood pressure and other conditions, can reduce levels of "good cholesterol" (HDL). Chromium supplements may offset this side effect.
The dosage of chromium used in studies ranges from 200 mcg to 1,000 mcg daily, mostly in the form of chromium picolinate. However, there may be potential risks in the higher dosages of chromium (see Safety Issues, below).
Note: These and all other dosages of chromium regard the amount of the actual chromium ion in the supplement (“elemental chromium”), discounting the weight of the substances, such as picolinate, attached to it.
Some products state that they contain “GTF chromium.” Some of these products are manufactured from brewer’s yeast, which was once thought to contain GTF. Others contain chromium as chromium nicotinate, which bears a faint resemblance to the proposed GTF molecule. However, since GTF is no longer believed to exist, this claim should be disregarded.
Although the precise upper limit of safe chromium intake is not known, it is believed that chromium is safe when taken at a dosage of 50 mcg to 200 mcg daily. 1 Side effects appear to be rare.
However, chromium is a heavy metal and might conceivably build up and cause problems if taken to excess. There is one report of kidney, liver, and bone marrow damage in a person who took 1,200 mcg to 2,400 mcg of chromium for several months; in another report, as little as 600 mcg for 6 weeks was enough to cause damage. 2 Such problems appear to be quite rare, and it is possible that these individuals already had health problems that predisposed them to such a reaction. The risk of chromium toxicity is believed to be higher in individuals who already have liver or kidney disease. 3 Nonetheless, based on these reports, it’s possible that the dosage of chromium found most effective for individuals with type 2 diabetes—1,000 mcg daily—might present some health risks. For example, there is some evidence that if chromium is taken in high enough amounts, it may be converted from its original safe form (chromium 3) into a known carcinogen, chromium 6. 4 We advise seeking medical supervision before taking more than 200 mcg of chromium daily.
Also, keep in mind that if you have diabetes and chromium is effective, you may need to cut down your dosage of any medication you take for diabetes. 5 Medical supervision is advised.
There are also several concerns about the picolinate form of chromium in particular. Picolinate can alter levels of neurotransmitters. 6 This has led to concern among some experts that chromium picolinate might be harmful for individuals with depression , bipolar disease , or schizophrenia . 7 There has also been one report of a severe skin reaction caused by chromium picolinate. 8 Finally, there are also concerns, still fairly theoretical and uncertain, that chromium picolinate could cause adverse effects on DNA. 9 The maximum safe dosage of chromium for women who are pregnant or nursing and for individuals with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
If you are taking
Studies on whether the mineral chromium can improve cholesterol levels have returned mixed results.113-121 However, chromium One study suggests that chromium combined with grape seed extract might have a beneficial effect.121
Chromium may offer benefit for people taking drugs in the beta-blocker family. These medications, used for [hypertension (high blood pressure) and other conditions, sometimes reduce HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Chromium supplements may offset this side effect.122
one study suggests that chromium combined with grape seed extract might have a beneficial effect.41
In people with type 2 diabetes, use of chromium may reduce triglyceride levels, according to some but not all preliminary trials.17-21 Chromium does not appear to be effective for reducing triglyceride levels in people without diabetes.20,22-25
Studies on whether the chromium can improve cholesterol levels have returned mixed results.113-121 One study suggests that chromium combined with grape seed extract might have a beneficial effect.121
Chromium may offer benefit for people taking drugs in the beta-blocker family. These medications, used for hypertension (high blood pressure) and other conditions, sometimes reduce HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Chromium supplements may offset this side effect.122
In people with type 2 diabetes, use of chromium may reduce triglyceride levels, according to some but not all preliminary trials.17-21 Chromium does not appear to be effective for reducing triglyceride levels in people without diabetes.20,22-25
The mineral chromium may improve cholesterol levels. It may reduce triglyceride levels in people with diabetes.
Chromium may be especially beneficial for people taking drugs in the beta-blocker family. These medications, used for high blood pressure and other conditions, can reduce levels of "good cholesterol" (HDL). Chromium supplements may offset this side effect.
Chromium may have some benefit for improving lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides). It appears to help offset the negative effect that beta blockers can have on HDL ("good cholesterol").
Studies on whether the chromium can improve cholesterol levels have returned mixed results.113-121 One study suggests that chromium combined with grape seed extract might have a beneficial effect.121
Chromium may offer benefit for people taking drugs in the beta-blocker family. These medications, used for hypertension (high blood pressure) and other conditions, sometimes reduce HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Chromium supplements may offset this side effect.122
In people with type 2 diabetes, use of chromium may reduce triglyceride levels, according to some but not all preliminary trials.17-21 Chromium does not appear to be effective for reducing triglyceride levels in people without diabetes.20,22-25
Enter section content... Chromium may have some benefit for improving lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides). It appears to help offset the negative effect that beta blockers can have on HDL ("good cholesterol").
Chromium may have some benefit for improving lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides). It appears to help offset the negative effect that beta blockers can have on HDL ("good cholesterol").