Chromium

Chromium is claimed by many to significantly aid in weight loss. While I don’t necessarily completely disagree with those claims, some explanation is needed as to why that may not be entirely true. Chromium’s claim to weight loss is through regulation of blood sugar levels. While it has been proven that chromium is needed to regulate your blood sugar, the jury is still out as to whether or not this correlates directly with weight loss (although there are many that do believe so).

Research

There is a large amount of research showing that chromium has a role in insulin regulation. The following are just a few:

• Cefalu WT, Bell-Farrow AD, Stegner J, et al. Effect of chromium picolinate on insulin sensitivity in vivo. J Trace Elem Exp Med 1999;12:71–83.
• Evans GW. The effect of chromium picolinate on insulin controlled parameters in humans. Int J Biosoc Res 1989;11:163–80.
• Lee NA, Reasner CA. Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on serum triglyceride levels in NIDDM. Diabetes Care 1994;17:1449–52.
• Ravina A, Slezak L, Rubal A, Mirsky N. Clinical use of the trace element chromium (III) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. J Trace Elem Exp Med 1995;8:183–90.

Conclusion

Does chromium have an important role in blood sugar regulation? Yes. Has that been proven to directly aid in weight loss? Not yet. While I wouldn’t frown upon a diet pill that contained chromium, I wouldn’t buy it if it was the only active ingredient.