January 02, 2023 Written by Dr. Thomas Wnorowski

Chromium for Weight Loss: Does It Work?

Key Points:

  • Chromium is a trace mineral that has been connected to weight loss. While studies are still out on whether or not chromium helps you shed unwanted fat, we do know this mineral is used for blood sugar balancing and keeping a healthy metabolism. Usually, healthy blood sugar promotes a healthy weight.

  • Typically, you can get enough chromium through a healthy diet. However, chronic stress, chronic illness, digestive issues, and soil depletion can all contribute to chromium deficiency.

  • If you need a breakthrough with insulin resistance, PCOS, or high cholesterol, chromium can be instrumental. We recommend getting a chromium supplement through a liquid mineral blend for best absorption, hydration, and results.

If you’ve never heard of chromium, you’re not alone. Chromium is a trace mineral that’s responsible for blood sugar balancing and lipid metabolism (aka, breaking down fats in the body). 

Chromium isn’t as famously studied as other essential minerals for the body (zinc or magnesium, for example). But for many people struggling with weight or blood sugar issues, chromium is key to managing and improving symptoms. 

Let’s explore the connection between chromium, weight loss, blood sugar, and metabolism.

Table of Contents:

Does Chromium Help With Weight Loss?

The answer is: yes and no. (Figures, right?)

Chromium is still being studied for its impact on weight. Although we don’t know its direct correlation with weight loss, we do know that chromium has promising effects for blood sugar balancing. In general, balanced blood sugar equals balanced weight.

Chromium may be beneficial specifically for people who are struggling to lose weight despite a healthy diet, lifestyle, and fitness routine. If all the physical pieces are in place, but you aren’t seeing results, it’s time to look deeper. Blood sugar imbalance is a common root cause of weight retention.

The ideal approach when using chromium for weight loss is pairing it with other weight loss and blood sugar-balancing methods. Chromium isn’t a magic pill that will force your body to drop an extra twenty pounds, but it will work alongside your efforts for better results as you set out to improve your diet, exercise routine, and sleep.

You may notice other benefits to your overall health, too, since blood sugar balancing can help combat anxiety and depression, protect against heart disease, and minimize cravings.

Here are some benefits you may experience when taking chromium as a supplement:

  • Weight loss* (alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle)
  • PCOS management*
  • Metabolism regulation*

How Much Chromium Do You Need Daily?

The FDA recommends that you get between 25 and 35 micrograms of chromium per day (depending on age and weight), but this number can differ depending on your own personal needs and medical conditions. Not all chromium supplements are made equal, either, so make sure you’re getting a high-quality supplement created for optimal absorption. 

Chromium Food Sources

Usually, a healthy diet contains enough chromium food sources so that a supplement isn’t needed. However, patients experiencing chronic stress, chronic illness, malabsorption, IBS, or other signs of an unhealthy gut should consider adding a chromium supplement to their daily regime. Of course, in areas where soil minerals are depleted, chromium deficiency is much more common.

Try these chromium food sources to boost your daily intake:

  • Grape juice and orange juice. If you think you’re low on chromium, try consuming a little juice every day. Opt for a fresh squeezed, not from concentrate, and no-sugar-added variety. If weight loss is your goal, drink the juice on a full stomach (preferably, after a meal) to reduce blood sugar spikes.
  • High-quality meats. Beef, ham, and turkey are all great sources of chromium. We’re also big fans of liver as a chromium source — plus it includes a lot of other nutritious vitamins and minerals, too.
  • Fresh vegetables. Broccoli, potatoes, green beans, and lettuce all contain an impressive amount of chromium. Since chromium is rich in many food sources, it’s easy to maintain healthy levels especially if you’re eating a produce-rich diet.

BodyBio Tip: Chromium can interact with other medications and supplements. If you’re using prescription drugs, it might be best to focus on chromium food sources rather than supplementation. 

Chromium as a Supplement

Too much chromium could actually make insulin sensitivity worse — which is why it’s important to stay on top of liquid mineral testing and dosing.

We recommend mineral testing by taste. This method allows your body to guide you toward minerals you may be deficient in and will clue you in when you have had enough of the supplement. Simply put a few drops of chromium in a glass of water and evaluate the taste. If the mineral tastes sweet or has no taste at all, you’re probably deficient.

Learn More About Mineral Testing

Can You Take Chromium with Medication?

Chromium is one of the few minerals that can interact with over-the-counter and prescription medications, so it’s important to keep your doctor and pharmacist informed about all the supplements you’re taking. The higher dose of chromium you’re on, the more likely it could bind to other prescriptions. These medications especially are known to interact with chromium: 

  • Metformin
  • Insulin
  • Levothyroxine
  • Prednisone 
  • Ibuprofen and aspirin
  • Antacids 

Taking Chromium in a Trace Mineral Complex

Like we mentioned earlier, chromium supplementation should be used alongside other lifestyle changes if you want to use chromium for weight loss. This trace mineral is just a small piece of a much bigger puzzle. 

Most of our customers prefer to take chromium through our Liquid Trace Mineral drops — since this supplement provides a well-rounded supply of minerals, plus hydration support to help nourish and energize the body. 

With a healthy diet, chromium deficiency isn’t very common. So, if you suspect you may be low on chromium, you’re probably low on other minerals too. The Liquid Trace Mineral set comes pre-mixed and ready to help bring your body back to its happy place.

Explore BodyBio’s Trace Mineral Drops

Chromium Can Be Used for Weight Loss Alongside Other Lifestyle Changes

As much as we wish there was a miracle supplement for weight loss, there isn’t.
But for people struggling with blood sugar balance and high cholesterol, the battle to lose weight is very real — and often much harder.

Combined with cellular support and lifestyle changes, chromium is a powerful tool you can use to supercharge your healing journey.

Try our Liquid Chromium Supplement today!

References

McIver, D. J., Grizales, A. M., Brownstein, J. S., & Goldfine, A. B. (2015). Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Is Lower in US Adults Taking Chromium-Containing Supplements. The Journal of nutrition, 145(12), 2675–2682. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.214569

Fazelian, S., Rouhani, M. H., Bank, S. S., & Amani, R. (2017). Chromium supplementation and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS), 42, 92–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2017.04.008

Havel P. J. (2004). A scientific review: the role of chromium in insulin resistance. The Diabetes educator, Suppl, 2–14.

Nussbaumerova, B., Rosolova, H., Krizek, M., Sefrna, F., Racek, J., Müller, L., & Sindberg, C. (2018). Chromium Supplementation Reduces Resting Heart Rate in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Impaired Glucose Tolerance. Biological trace element research, 183(2), 192–199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-017-1128-6

Sylvia, L. G., Peters, A. T., Deckersbach, T., & Nierenberg, A. A. (2013). Nutrient-based therapies for bipolar disorder: a systematic review. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 82(1), 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1159/000341309