- Overview of Minerals
- Chromium Deficiency
- Chromium Toxicity
- Copper Deficiency
- Copper Toxicity
- Wilson Disease
- Fluorine Deficiency
- Fluorine Toxicity
- Iodine Deficiency
- Iodine Toxicity
- Iron Deficiency
- Iron Toxicity
- Manganese Deficiency
- Manganese Toxicity
- Molybdenum Deficiency
- Molybdenum Toxicity
- Selenium Deficiency
- Selenium Toxicity
- Zinc Deficiency
- Zinc Toxicity
Only 1 to 3% of biologically active trivalent chromium (Cr) is absorbed. Normal plasma levels are 0.05 to 0.50 mcg/L (1.0 to 9.6 nmol/L). However, it is not clear whether chromium should be considered an essential (required) trace element (1).
Chromium potentiates insulin activity; however, it is not known whether chromium picolinate supplementation is beneficial in diabetes mellitus. Patients with diabetes should not take chromium supplements unless use is supervised by a diabetes specialist. Chromium supplements do not enhance muscle size or strength.
Patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition rarely develop chromium deficiency.
Symptoms of chromium deficiency may include weight loss, confusion, impaired coordination, and impaired glucose tolerance, increasing the risk of diabetes.
Treatment of chromium deficiency is with trivalent chromium. deficiency is with trivalent chromium.
(See also Overview of Mineral Deficiency and Toxicity.)
Reference
1. Vincent JB: New evidence against chromium as an essential trace element. J Nutr 147 (12):2212–2219, 2017. doi:10.3945/jn.117.255901
