Chromium Picolinate
Also known as: chromium tripicolinate, Cr picolinate, Chromax
Trivalent chromium chelated with three picolinate ligands, the form used in most human trials and the best seller in blood-sugar and weight-management formulas. It is 12.4% chromium by weight and is absorbed at roughly 1%, still several-fold better than chromium chloride. Meta-analyses of randomized trials in type 2 diabetes report modest reductions in fasting glucose and HbA1c, with little effect in people who have normal glucose regulation. No UL has been set.
Research summary
Trivalent chromium is proposed to enhance insulin receptor signaling through chromodulin, supporting glucose uptake into cells.
Dosage
Daily amounts, elemental (12% of the compound is the element).
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 mcg | 200–500 mcg | 1,000 mcg | — |
Doses are micrograms of elemental chromium. Chromium picolinate is 12.4% Cr per ODS; the ingredient is usually supplied as a dilution (for example 1% or 10% chromium on a carrier), and raw_material_mg_per_dose_unit = 0.1 mg per mcg assumes a 1% premix — adjust to the supplier's grade. ODS reports chromium-only products at 200–500 mcg with some at 1,000 mcg; the trials pooled by Asbaghi 2020 and Suksomboon 2014 used about 200–1,000 mcg/day. The FNB set no UL, citing a lack of adverse effects at intakes from food and supplements.
Source material: synthetic chelate (chromium(III) with picolinic acid), usually diluted on a carrier
As supplied: Pure ≈ 12.4% Cr; commonly supplied as a 1–10% chromium premix
Forms of Chromium
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium Picolinate | 200–500 mcg | 12% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Chromium Polynicotinate | 200–400 mcg | 12% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | mid |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Micro-dose; carrier dilution sets the fill weight. Reddish-pink color of the pure chelate is diluted away in premixes.
Formulation notes
Vitamin C and niacin taken together may increase chromium absorption; antacids and calcium carbonate may reduce it. Can add to the glucose-lowering effect of diabetes medications, so flag it in blood-sugar stacks.
- Notable drug interactions
Sources
- Chromium — Health Professional Fact SheetNIH ODS
- Effects of chromium supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (Asbaghi 2020)PubMed
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of chromium supplementation in diabetes (Suksomboon 2014)PubMed
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