Enhanced insulin sensitivity
Improves insulin function and glucose uptake by cells
Chromium Picolinate
Highly bioavailable chromium form essential for glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity
Scientific nameChromium Picolinate
FormulaC18H12CrN3O6
Molecular weight418.31 g/mol
CAS14639-25-9
85
absorption score
7
safety / 10
15
USD per month
12
elemental chromium %
5
documented interactions
Check it against something
Chromium Picolinate with:
- Amylase
- Ashwagandha
- Avocado Oil
- BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
- Beetroot Powder
- Beta-Alanine
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bovine Collagen
- Caffeine
- Calcium
- Calcium Bone Formula
- Calcium Carbonate
- Casein Protein
- Chicken Collagen
- Choline (Bitartrate)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Coconut Oil
- Collagen Peptides
- Comprehensive Immune Support Complex
- Comprehensive Multivitamin-Mineral Complex
- Creatine HCL
- Creatine Monohydrate
- D-Mannose
- DHA
- Electrolyte Blend
- EPA
- Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
- Folate (5-MTHF)
- Ginger
- Iron Fumarate
- Iron Sulfate
- Joint Mobility Formula
- Keratin
- Krill Oil
- L-Carnitine
- L-Citrulline
- Lactase
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lipase
- Magnesium Citrate
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Marine Collagen
- Melatonin
- Modafinil
- Olive Oil Extract
- Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
- Papain
- Protease
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Turmeric
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
- Vitamin D3
- Whey Protein
- Zinc Gluconate
Nothing found
78
out of 100
Works better together
Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.
What it does
mechanism and evidence for each claimImproved glucose tolerance
Better blood sugar control and glucose metabolism
Weight management support
May help with weight loss and body composition
Reduced sugar cravings
May help control appetite and sugar cravings
Cardiovascular health support
May improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Others take these for the same thing
Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one
Ashwagandha
Stress management & energy
300-600mg
A
75%
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Energy & nerve support
250-1000 mcg
A
70%
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Heart health & cellular energy
100-200mg
A
10%
Phosphorus
Bone health & energy metabolism
700-1250mg
A
80%
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Energy & skin health (no flush)
100-1000 mg
A
88%
Berberine for Advanced Glucose Control and Metabolic Support
Blood sugar control & metabolic support
1500mg daily (500mg x3)
A
60%
Every pair we checked
12 combinations scored by the engine
Chromium Picolinate + Caffeine
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Chromium Picolinate + Creatine Monohydrate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Chromium Picolinate + Calcium Carbonate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Chromium Picolinate + Whey Protein
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Chromium Picolinate + Lactase
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Chromium Picolinate + Bovine Collagen
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Chromium Picolinate + DHA
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Chromium Picolinate + Turmeric
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Chromium Picolinate + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Chromium Picolinate + Vitamin D3
Enhances chromium absorption
Works better together
78
Chromium Picolinate + Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Enhances chromium absorption
Works better together
86
Chromium Picolinate + Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Both enhance insulin sensitivity
Works better together
86
Dosage
Daily200-400 mcg
Maintenance50-200 mcg
Therapeutic200-600 mcg
Upper limit1000 mcg daily
Elemental chromiumContains ~12% elemental chromium
Before you take it
VeganYes
When to expect it
First Effects4-6 weeks for glucose metabolism improvements
Peak Benefits12-16 weeks for metabolic and weight benefits
Deficiency DevelopmentMonths to years with inadequate intake
Toxicity OnsetRare, months with very high doses
How to measure it
MarkerFasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, or HOMA-IR
OptimalFasting glucose: <100 mg/dL, HbA1c: <5.7%
FrequencyEvery 3-6 months when using for glucose control
What people actually reported to the FDA
CAERS, 30 reports naming it as the suspectMost reported effects
Named as the suspect
30 reports
of 58 that mention it at all
Serious outcome
82%
hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event20
Visited a Health Care Provider10
Hospitalization9
Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →
What actually reaches you
The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Elemental chromium
12.4%
of 418.31 g/mol
Absorption
Very high 85 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily
0 mg
Cost per 100 mcg delivered
$1.58 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage
A 500 mg capsule of Chromium Picolinate contains 62 mg of chromium. How much of that crosses into your blood is not measured for this form — the absorption score ranks it against other forms, it is not a share of the dose. How this is calculated →
Works better with
+
Vitamin C
Enhances chromium absorption
Vitamin C improves chromium uptake · level B
+
Niacin B3
Both support glucose metabolism
Complementary roles in glucose tolerance factor · level B
+
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Both enhance insulin sensitivity
Complementary effects on glucose metabolism · level BWhat not to take with Chromium Picolinate
!
Simple Sugars
High sugar intake increases chromium excretion
Sugar consumption depletes chromium stores · moderate significance
!
Zinc Iron High
High doses of other minerals may compete with chromium
Potential mineral competition for absorption · mild significanceMedication interactions
Discuss these with a pharmacist before combiningMay enhance blood sugar lowering effects
What to do: Monitor blood glucose closely, may need dose adjustments
May reduce thyroid hormone absorption
What to do: Space doses apart
Steroids may increase chromium requirements
What to do: Consider higher chromium doses
Available forms
Chromium Picolinate: Superior absorption, Well-studied, Stable form, Effective for glucose
Food sources
Chromium picolinate not found naturally in foods
Only available as supplement · 85
Brewer's yeast
15-25 mcg per tablespoon · 25
Whole grains
1-3 mcg per serving · 15
Broccoli
11-22 mcg per cup · 20
Too little
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- Insulin resistance
- Elevated blood sugar levels
- Increased sugar cravings
- Poor weight control
- Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
- Fatigue and energy fluctuations
Too much
- Very rare with oral supplements:
- Kidney damage (theoretical)
- Liver problems (very rare)
- Skin irritation (rare)
- Generally excellent safety profile
- No established toxic dose
Who benefits most
prediabetes-diabetes
May improve insulin sensitivity and glucose control
200-400 mcg daily
metabolic-syndrome
Supports overall metabolic health and glucose metabolism
200-400 mcg daily
weight-management
May support healthy weight loss and body composition
200-400 mcg daily
sugar-cravings
May help control appetite and reduce cravings
200-400 mcg daily
athletes-muscle-building
May improve body composition and muscle development
200-600 mcg dailyWhere to buy it
Look for Chromium Picolinate at 200-400 mcg per serving. The form that matters here is Chromium Picolinate.
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What else affects it
Beyond other supplements
!
Simple sugars
High sugar intake increases chromium excretion
Sugar consumption depletes chromium storesHow it works
- Essential cofactor for insulin receptor function
- Enhances glucose transporter (GLUT4) activity
- Improves insulin signaling pathways
- May influence carbohydrate and lipid metabolism
- Supports proper glucose uptake by muscle cells
- Involved in macronutrient metabolism
Key findings
what the evidence supports- May improve glucose tolerance in some individuals (mixed research)
- Superior bioavailability compared to other chromium forms
- Potential benefits for insulin sensitivity and metabolic syndrome
- Limited but promising research on weight management
Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02
Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →
Common questions
What are the benefits of Chromium Picolinate?
Documented effects: Enhanced insulin sensitivity; Improved glucose tolerance; Weight management support; Reduced sugar cravings. Improves insulin function and glucose uptake by cells
How much Chromium Picolinate should you take per day?
The common daily range is 200-400 mcg. By goal — maintenance: 50-200 mcg; therapeutic: 200-600 mcg; upper limit: 1000 mcg daily; elemental chromium: Contains ~12% elemental chromium.
When is the best time to take Chromium Picolinate?
With meals. First effects are typically reported within 4-6 weeks for glucose metabolism improvements.
What are the side effects of Chromium Picolinate?
At excessive doses: Very rare with oral supplements:, Kidney damage (theoretical), Liver problems (very rare), Skin irritation (rare), Generally excellent safety profile. Safety rating at normal doses is 7 out of 10.
What should you not take with Chromium Picolinate?
Separate it from Simple Sugars, Zinc Iron High by two to four hours. High sugar intake increases chromium excretion
Does Chromium Picolinate interact with medications?
Documented interactions with diabetes-medications, levothyroxine, corticosteroids. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.
How do you know if you need Chromium Picolinate?
The marker is Fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, or HOMA-IR, optimal range Fasting glucose: <100 mg/dL, HbA1c: <5.7%. Common deficiency signs: Impaired glucose tolerance, Insulin resistance, Elevated blood sugar levels, Increased sugar cravings.