Best Chromium Supplements Reviewed and Compared
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With all the latest trends that are increasingly available on the market in the world of healthy living, it can be incredibly difficult to keep up with the essential supplements that we should be taking on a consistent basis. One of the latest supplements that many are seeking to incorporate into their daily health regime is that of chromium.
Chromium is a substance needed by our bodies in small doses. It is, in fact, a highly essential aspect of processes related to metabolism; these processes regulate the sugar levels in our blood as well as assisting the transport of glucose straight to cells, utilized for energy.
The two most common forms found are chromium picolinate and glucose tolerance factor (GTF) chromium. If you are looking to start incorporating chromium into your supplement routine, look no further! Here, we will be exploring all the best brands that are currently available to help you reach your health needs.
Our Top 3 Picks
- NOW Foods
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Our rating - Insulin Co-Factor
- Price: See Here
- Solgar
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Our rating - Essential Chromium
- Price: See Here
- Nature’s Bounty
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Our rating - 800 Micrograms
- Price: See Here
Chromium Deficiency
According to stats, around 25% to almost half of the population of the United States is to some level deficient when it comes to chromium. It should be added that dietary chromium has a super low rate of absorption, and it lowers as we age, which puts the elderly particularly at a greater risk for a deficiency.
Due to the fact that a good amount of dietary chromium assists in maintaining good levels of insulin, a deficiency can even play a part in suffering from diabetes or the metabolic syndrome.
10 Best Chromium Supplements
1. NOW Foods
This Chromium Picolinate supplement boasted rave reviews in terms of its remarkable benefits, specifically with regards to its reliable insulin co-factor and healthy glucose metabolism healing and support attributes.
Features and Specifications
Product Dimensions: 6 x 5 x 4 inches ; 6.9 ounces
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
250 Capsules
Price/Value
These supplements are a steal for the price. And the value has been noted to boast some pretty remarkable and reliable healing benefits.
Decision Time
If you are in the market for a trusted and reliable chromium supplement, you truly can’t go wrong with a NOW brand supplement. They are a tried and true company who always backs their products. And for the price of 250 of these capsules, you really will not be out much financially if you are not completely satisfied with the product for whatever reason.
Contains no sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives.
Super affordable
Easy to swallow
Gelatin-based capsule
Non-vegan or vegetarian
If you are a diabetic, you must only use these supplements under the the care of your healthcare provider’s supervision
2. Solgar
Chromium is a notable component of a wide variety of essential enzymes that are known to release energy from your body’s cells and is actually required to ensure proper receptor function as it is necessary for nutrient metabolism.
Features and Specifications
Product Dimensions: 2.4 x 2.4 x 4.3 inches
Product Weight: 8 ounces
120 Vegetable Capsules
Price/Value
The Solgar Chromium Picolinate Vegetable Capsules are priced quite reasonably and are boasted to promote all of the highly effective benefits of taking a chromium supplement.
Decision Time
As is the case of beginning any brand new health care regime, you should always speak with your heath care physician prior to taking any new health supplement. And, as these chromium supplements have been noted to be quite a higher dose in comparison to other brands (which may lead to liver damage) you should be double sure that if you are interested in taking chromium supplements that you are in fact taking the proper dose for your personalized needs.
- Great Price
- Vegetarian Vegetable Capsules
- 120 Count
- 500 MCG
- May assist in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels that are already within a normal range
- Noted to help reduce cravings and speed up metabolism
- Trivalent, biologically active chromium
- Noted to be quite large
- Hard to swallow
- A pretty high dose which may cause liver damage
3. Nature’s Bounty
The daily recommended requirement (on average) is a mere 200 Mcg, which assists in protecting against cardiovascular disease and diabetes (among other health related issues). Being that this option is a whopping 800 Mcg. you are getting out a loaded amount of chromium that is all your body needs.
Features and Specifications
Product Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.8 x 3.5 inches
Product Weight: 1.6 ounces
Available in 3 sizes of count: 50, 100 or 150 tablets
Price/Value
The positive reviews of this brand most certainly outweighed the negative reviews. For the price, you really can’t go wrong to at least give them a try and see if they work for you!
Decision Time
The only “con” that could be noted in terms of the overall reviews of this particular product is that fact that it did not work for some people. However, there was an overwhelming amount of people who, to the contrary, boasted that this product in particular worked wonders for them. For the price, it most certainly can’t hurt you to try!
It supports your metabolism
Aids in maintaining the blood sugar level in a normal range
One tablet a day needed only
Vegetarian friendly
Affordable pricing in any size
Noted to simply not work after use
4. Solaray
Not only do they provide you with the simplicity to be able to easy take your chromium supplement each day without having to swallow them in discomfort, these also taste incredible in their delicious raspberry lemonade flavor!
Features and Specifications
Product Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 3.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 0.3 ounces
100 Lozenges
Price/Value
For the most part, you will find that chewable vitamins or lozenges come at a bit of a higher price as they are far more convenient for the person who will be taking them. However, that is a far cry from the case when it comes to this brand. The price is just a comparable as purchasing a chromium tablet or capsule.
Decision Time
When it comes to these lozenges, you really can’t go wrong. They taste great, are easy to take, and boast a bit of much needed chromium (100 Mcg). And, best of all, you can obtain all of this at an incredibly affordable price!
Recommended for nutritive support for anyone who needs to regulate their blood sugar
Taste great
Easy to take
Super affordable price
Helps trigger the correct insulin action to prevent any spikes or crashes in blood sugar levels
Made with the highest quality chromium in production: trivalent
May raise blood sugar
5. MegaFood
MegaFood has received the Non-GMO Project Verified seal, which is is a third party certification program that ensures a particular product has in fact been produced in accordance to consensus-based best practices for GMO (genetically modified organism) avoidance.
Features and Specifications
Shipping weight: 8 ounces
60 count tablets
Price/Value
While these may be just a touch higher in price than the others that are listed in this buyer’s guide, they are of impeccable quality and are most certainly worth the price tag.
Decision Time
If you are specifically in the market for the top rated, healthiest and most pure chromium supplement, this is the best selection for you. They are entirely vegan, made up of only natural ingredients and best of all, are GMO-free. You simply can’t put a price tag on that amount of value.
NON-GMO
Whole food tablet
Vegan/Vegetarian
Can be taken on an empty stomach
Pricier than the other options
6. Life Extension
If you personally struggle with achy joints, arthritis or simply just have difficulties opening those annoying supplement bottles, then take heed in knowing that those issues are a thing of the past! Thanks in large part to the invention of frustration-free packaging, that is precisely what you will get when you purchase this option!
Features and Specifications
500 mcg
60 vegetarian capsules
Price/Value
The price for these is unmatched. While they only come in a 60 count, you truly can’t match the value for the price.
Decision Time
Perhaps one of the finest attributes about these supplements, with the exception of the incredible price, is the fact that there was not one negative review about them. Which is of course a remarkable feature. There were a ton of notable remarks about how well the product works, particularly in the way of eliminating sugar cravings!
Noted to ease sugar cravings
Vegetarian capsules
Easy to swallow
Can be taken with or without food
Great price
Does not ship internationally
7. Best Naturals
Insulin issues are the link between cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which is the common factor of the development of atherosclerosis (the leading cause of death amongst diabetics). And with adding in the help of Best Naturals Chromium Picolinate, you will find a significant drop in sugar levels within your body as chromium makes insulin far more effective at the of removing glucose from your blood.
Features and Specifications
Product Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 3.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
120 Tablets
Price/Value
Depending whether you experience any results with this product personally, the value for the price may truly be unbeatable!
Decision Time
There were a few noted complaints that this product really did nothing (harmful or helpful) to those who gave it a shot. For the price, you really will not be out much if the do not work. However, if they do work for you, then you will find them a steal!
Supports healthy blood sugar levels
Insulin co-factor
High quality and purity
Easy to swallow
Great price
Noted to not have any effects in lowering blood sugar levels, curbing sugar cravings or weight loss
8. Pure Encapsulations
Each vegetarian capsule contains: chromium (as chromium picolinate) 500 mcg, hypoallergenic plant fiber (cellulose), vegetarian capsule (cellulose, water). The product itself if super easy on the stomach, and a great option for vegans and vegetarians!
Features and Specifications
Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 1 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
60 Capsules
Price/Value
Pure Encapsulations are noted to work wonders for an unbeatable price.
Decision Time
All in all these are a safe bet. They are noted to work very well, are completely vegetarian and easy on the stomach (though it is recommended that they be taken with food). These are a safe choice for sure.
Easy to swallow
Entirely vegan/vegetarian
Gluten-free
Great price
Must be taken with meals
9. Natural Factors
Natural Factors Farms are certified organic, and they boast the fact that the creation of their supplements does not pollute the earth with pesticides and chemical fertilizers. All of their supplements are grown from true species non-hybridized, non-GMO seeds, of which also include many open-pollinated varieties.
Features and Specifications
500 mcg
90 Tablets
2.4 ounces
Price/Value
These have been noted to work quite well, and are at a reasonable price.
Decision Time
There are a lot of different options available if you have difficulties swallowing tablets, these ones have been noted on a few occasions to be pretty thick and chalky, making them a bit harder to swallow. If you have issues with that, you should probably look elsewhere.
Non-GMO
Great price
Supports a healthy glucose metabolism
Only 1 tablet needed per day
Tablet noted to be thick and chalky
10. BlueBonnet
If you have any issues swallowing pills, then these BlueBonnet capsules are going to be a great fit for your needs. Not to mention with the help of their easy to swallow design, you will note that they absorb and assimilate into your body much faster.
Features and Specifications
200 mcg
90 count vegetarian capsule
Price/Value
These are a screaming deal for their value.
Decision Time
With the only flaw in these being the fact that they do not ship internationally, these are on our list for a reason.
Easy to swallow
Vegan and Vegetarian Friendly
Faster absorption
Yeast-free
Does not ship internationally
Benefits
More and more people are beginning to take advantage of all of the unique and essential benefits that taking a daily chromium has to offer their body’s. While so many people are seeking to take advantage of all of these benefits, there are still some people who are a little hesitant to begin incorporating chromium into their daily supplement routine, mainly due to the fact that they are simply not familiar with the supplement as a whole and what benefits they can be receiving by taking it! Here, we will be discussing a few of the rewards that you can start receiving by incorporating a chromium supplement into your life!
To start, it is, of course, essential to understanding what precisely chromium is. Chromium is a mineral that our bodies must utilize in minor amounts in order for our body to function normally. It has to do with virtually every part of how our body functions, including participating in assisting your body to digest the food that you consume. Chromium can be found in a number of natural food items of which include, but are certainly not limited to: meats, brewer’s yeast, potatoes (particularly the skin of the potato), various cheeses, molasses, a number of spices, whole-grain breads, whole grain cereals, and of course, fresh fruits and veggies. Interestingly, by drinking hard tap water you can also supply chromium to your body, and additionally cook your meals in stainless-steel cookware can also increase the amount of chromium content in the foods that you prepare.
Chromium supplements can also be purchased alone in the way of tablet or capsule form or as a part of a multivitamin if you prefer. However, due to the fact that the human body actually requires very little amounts of chromium, the vast majority of people receive plenty of chromium in their standard diet and simply do not require any additional dietary chromium supplements. There are certainly people who may find themselves at risk for developing a chromium deficiency and those people tend to include those who suffer from diabetes and also elderly adults.
Chromium and Weight Loss
If you’re trying to lose weight then you’ve most likely seen the wide array of unnatural, dangerous diet supplements that are available on the market. These various diet pills and weight-loss formulas do more damage than good, and you can seriously hurt your body by taking these supplements. Instead of using a diet aid that is unnatural and harmful, try using an all-natural mineral that is needed by the body.
Chromium is a mineral that is used in trace amounts by the body for various physiological functions. The next time you’re looking for extra help with your weight loss goals, look to chromium.
How does chromium help you lose weight?
The body’s insulin pathway is an important mechanism that controls both our energy reserves and the level of our blood glucose, and is affected by our body’s chromium levels. Known for its ability to metabolize fats, chromium also plays an important role in metabolizing carbohydrates, nutrients and proteins. Insulin is the chemical compound in your body that converts your food into fat stores. Chromium helps to enhance insulin’s mechanism of action, which means that your body doesn’t have to make as much of it to get the same result. This synergy between chromium and insulin allows the body to create less fat stores, while still maintaining proper blood glucose levels.
Foods and recipes that contain chromium
There are many healthy food options at the grocery store that contain chromium. If you’re looking for a vegetable, try broccoli, as it contains around 88% of your chromium suggested daily intake, or green beans (8% daily value.) These veggies can be a delicious side dish, or you can make them into an entre using recipes like broccoli cheese soup, or a healthy green bean casserole. If you enjoy potatoes, then you’re in luck, as one cup of potatoes contains 12% of your suggested chromium daily intake, and one teaspoon of garlic, which can be added to your potatoes, contains 12%. Protein that can be used for a main dish to increase your chromium levels include beef (8% daily value) and turkey (also 8% daily value.) Beef burgundy and mini turkey meatloaves are two great healthy recipes that you can make with these two proteins. Fruits are also a great source of chromium, as one cup of grapes has 32% of the suggested daily chromium intake, one cup of oranges has 8%, one apple has 4% and one banana has 4%. Mix all of these fruits together to make a fruit salad and make getting your daily amount of chromium a delicious experience.
How much chromium should you be ingesting in a day?
Those looking to supplement their diet with chromium should ingest a very specific amount of chromium each day. Women should ingest between 23-29 micrograms, and men should take in between 39-54 micrograms. However, if your body is chromium deficient, then you may need to ingest larger amounts of this important mineral (see our FAQs). There are many people across the globe who may be deficient in chromium levels, and might not even know it. Chromium deficiency symptoms include abrupt changes in weight and appetite, feelings of tiredness and lethargy, accelerated bone loss, blood glucose levels that are uncontrollable, growth that is stunted, wound healing time that is longer than usual, abrupt changes in mood, feelings of anxiety, concentration and memory that is poor, and finally eye sight that is diminishing more rapidly than normal. If you are experiencing any of these aforementioned signs or symptoms of chromium deficiency, schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine if you need to supplement your diet with higher amounts of chromium.
Enhance your weight loss with chromium
Chromium is a natural mineral that our body needs to function at its maximum capacity. By enhancing the effects of our body’s insulin, it allows the body to make less fat stores while maintaining a proper blood glucose level. Chromium can be found in many foods that you probably eat already, so by increasing the amount of these foods in your diet, you can naturally increase your chromium intake. Supplements are also offered that contain chromium in them, if you wish to get your daily suggested chromium intake in this manner. Useful not only for weight loss and appetite suppression, chromium also boasts a wide range of other useful health benefits. If you are trying to lose weight, it’s time to give chromium a second look.
Criteria for Evaluation
As is the case with each and every single one of our top ten lists, each of the chromium supplements of which have made the cut on this list, in particular, have of course undergone a rigorous criterion for evaluation. Here is a list of the very specific criteria that each of these chromium supplements must have met in order to be sure that we are providing our readers with only the very best:
Free of Additives
Additives are often found in health supplements available on the market, and this can concern chromium supplements as well. Be sure to check the label of any chromium supplement that you are are about to buy so that you can make sure you are getting the highest quality. All of the aforementioned supplements that are listed on our top ten list, have as few additives as possibly found in order to ensure that you are receiving the finest quality of a product.
Brand Name
While many people feel that brand names are of no great significance when it comes to finding a great chromium supplement choosing a brand name that is reputable and trusted is very important. All of the chromium supplements we included on our list are produced by trusted brand names that have long-standing records of providing their customers with only the finest quality products available on the market today.
Price
When it comes to selecting a chromium supplement, often many people select the cheapest option that is available. While it may seem like a good idea to save money when making your purchase, the vast majority of these forms of supplements are loaded with fillers and do not provide you with the benefits chromium is most known for. The chromium supplements that made our top ten list are not only of the highest quality ingredients, they do come at affordable prices and we made sure the price did not affect the quality of the product.
The Best Reviews
Word of mouth should most certainly always be taken of the utmost consideration. And the chromium supplements included on our list have all received a vast number of positive user reviews. The supplements that featured customer complaints were not considered for this list of ours. Which is precisely why all of the chromium supplements that made it here on this list, you can be sure that you will find only the best of the best, as have been rated by people who have actually taken the supplements firsthand and have noted to have received all of the incredible benefits from a firsthand experience!
It should most certainly be noted however that prior to beginning any new healthcare routine, partially in the way of adding new supplements to your lifestyle, you should be sure to speak to your healthcare provider or physician as they can specifically inform you of any risks or side effects that may possibly occur. This is of course certainly the case if you have any underlying or existing health condition that may be poorly affected by way of consuming chromium supplements on a regular basis.
FAQs
What is Chromium Used For?
Chromium assists your body to transfer blood sugar (commonly referred to as glucose) from within your bloodstream to within the cells of your body to be utilized for energy and to also convert fats, carbohydrates, and proteins all into energy that your body greatly needs.
What are The Main Benefits?
There are a ton of incredibly beneficial benefits that chromium has in terms of supporting your body. There are of course the features that are listed above, but in addition to that, chromium supplements also may assist certain people who struggle with issues associated with diabetes, (type 2) by way of helping them to better control their blood sugar levels while also playing a role in terms of the management of diabetes ‘type 2). Chromium supplements are also widely being promoted as being significantly helpful in building lean muscle and burn more fat, while also assisting your body in using carbohydrates. It has also been noted that chromium may even be super beneficial to your eye health as recent research has suggested that there is, in fact, a direct link between decreased chromium levels and an overall increased risk of the development of glaucoma. And finally, chromium has even been noted to slow down the loss of calcium in your body so that it can actually assist in the prevention bone loss in women as they are experiencing symptoms of menopause.
Is It Safe?
This is a bit of a tricky question. To sum it up, the chromium found in the foods that you consume will most certainly not harm you. However, if you go about taking too much of a chromium supplement, you may find that it can, in fact, lead to certain issues such as stomach issues and even low blood sugar (also known as hypoglycemia). Not to mention the fact that an overabundance of chromium via supplements can even damage to your liver, kidneys, nerves, and it may even lead to irregular heart rhythm. The good news is that the side effects from taking too many chromium supplements are quite rare.
It should most certainly be noted that exposure to incredibly high levels of chromium on the job (metallurgy or electroplating, for instance) has also been directly linked to not only kidney damage but to lung and other cancers, and even skin conditions like eczema and other inflammations of your skin.
Be sure to always inform your doctor or healthcare physician if you are taking a chromium dietary supplement or if you are considering combining a chromium dietary supplement with your existing standard medical treatment due to the fact that taking these types of supplements may not necessarily be safe. This is particularly important for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or are planning on becoming pregnant.
Why is It Necessary?
Plain and simply, chromium can enhance insulin and is also required for keep metabolism going and maintain the storage of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates within your body. In fact, if the intake levels of chromium are inadequate a number of issues have been directly linked to glucose intolerance connected to diabetes (type 2). Chromium has also been shown to assist in raising HDL (the good kind) cholesterol levels, and can prevent heart disease.
How Much Chromium Does an Adult Need? And, of What Kind?
It is highly recommended that one should consume 200 mcg each day on its own or in combination with a multivitamin and it is additionally recommended that one should consume 1000 mcg via GTF chromium each day for anyone who suffers from metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
How Much a Child Needs?
When it comes to providing your child with the adequate amount of chromium that is going to be the best for what your child needs, in particular, it is always advisable to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider with regards to the options of healthy chromium levels of which will be suitable for the needs.
How Can I Get it from Food?
There are a large number of various foods of which can help you to reach your daily chromium goals. Some of these types of foods include, but are most certainly not limited to the following:
- Brewer’s yeast
- Meat
- Broccoli
- Whole-grain options
- Fruits
- Vegetables (such as ripe tomatoes, lettuce, onion)
- Spices
Is there Anyone who Should Not Take Chromium Supplements?
Most notable are diabetics. If you suffer from diabetes, you should only take chromium supplements under your healthcare physician’s supervision and direct guidance, as well as anyone who is currently having to take prescriptions for controlling one’s blood sugar.
Additionally, when taken along with chromium supplements, the following can be metabolized either more slow or far faster, they may even alter the overall absorption rate within your body:
- Vitamin C
- Insulin
- Niacin
- Inhibitors of prostaglandin (for example ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, piroxicam)
- Atenolol or propranolol
- Corticosteroids
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
Conclusion
There are so many chromium supplements available on the market today. If you are searching for the best options to incorporate into your daily vitamin regime, be sure to always speak with your healthcare physician to be able to better narrow down which may be the safest option to fit your particular needs, as well as what precisely you are seeking to obtain from the supplement itself.
In this guide, we have listed the best chromium options according to our team and we are sure that any of the options you choose will provide you with the benefits that chromium is known for.
