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Chromium Picolinate

Thorne
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(6057 ratings)
Chromium 500 mcg
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Score82
A clean 500 mcg chromium picolinate capsule provides strong form and dose transparency. It is comparatively expensive and should not be expected to produce major weight changes alone.
How scoring works
Quantity:60 Capsule(s) • (60 servings)
Goals:
Metabolism Boost
Weight Loss

Score 82

A clean 500 mcg chromium picolinate capsule provides strong form and dose transparency. It is comparatively expensive and should not be expected to produce major weight changes alone.
How scoring works
$20.00($0.33 per serving)
Amazon
$ 20.00
Vitacost
$ 20.00
iHerb
$ 20.00
Pure Formulas
$ 20.00
Vitacost
$ 20.00
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Analysis

One capsule supplies 500 mcg chromium as picolinate without other listed actives. The amount reaches the upper end of the preferred supplemental range and the simple label supports precise use.

Chromium supports normal macronutrient metabolism, but its contribution to weight loss is likely modest. A single ingredient cannot address appetite, diet quality, activity, or other major factors that shape metabolic outcomes.

Sixty servings are convenient, though the serving cost is considerably higher than another 500 mcg option in the supplied set. It fits buyers who want a basic capsule and accept the price premium.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking a single-mineral capsule
  • Users whose needs match the disclosed doses
  • People who can review ingredient-specific interactions
Best for
  • Clearly disclosed daily supplementation
  • Comparing form, dose, and practical value
  • Users who prefer a single-mineral capsule

Pros

  • Uses chromium picolinate
  • Clearly states 500 mcg chromium
  • One capsule per serving
  • Focused single-active formula

Cons

  • Costs more than comparable chromium products
  • Only 60 servings
  • No companion actives
  • Weight-loss evidence is limited

Warnings

  • The 500 mcg amount may increase glucose-lowering effects from insulin or diabetes medicines
  • Kidney or liver disease warrants review before high-dose chromium use
  • Do not stack with other chromium supplements because the serving is already at the high end of the supplied range

Nutrient quality

82 Highest impact

A well-regarded form and substantial dose create a strong focused formula. The high dose and limited weight-loss relevance warrant caution.

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Ingredient transparency

86 Highest impact

The active form and dose are highly transparent. Only non-active ingredients and complete usage directions remain missing.

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Customer satisfaction

71 High impact

The supplied average rating is very strong. No specific review comments were supplied, so repeated negative experiences cannot be assessed.

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Value for money

84 Highest impact

A useful form and focused formula provide good value. Less expensive equivalents limit category leadership.

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Report analysis

Goals

Metabolism Boost
Impact
High effect
C+ Goal FitA Strength of SupportD CoverageA+ Formula Quality

Chromium picolinate may support insulin action and carbohydrate handling, particularly when chromium status is low. The 500 mcg amount is substantial and clearly disclosed in a focused capsule.

Human results for weight, energy expenditure, and insulin sensitivity remain inconsistent across broader populations. The formula gives depth to glycemic support but does not cover mitochondrial energy, thermogenesis, or thyroid function.

Study evidence
Chromium Supportive 47 studies
Weight Loss
Impact
High effect
F Goal FitA Strength of SupportD CoverageA Formula Quality

Chromium picolinate may support glucose handling and cravings, especially when chromium status or insulin sensitivity is a concern. It does not directly raise metabolic rate, increase fullness, or preserve muscle, so its weight-management role is narrow.

The 500 mcg amount and picolinate form are fully disclosed in a focused formula. The evidence for weight change in generally healthy adults is modest and inconsistent despite the strong label transparency.

Study evidence
Chromium No effect 24 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Chromium (Chromium Picolinate)
500 mcg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50
Report overview
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

Chromium picolinate provides a highly bioavailable form at the top of the preferred elemental range. The label shows only one mineral value and does not identify a branded source. Low normalized cost makes the focused capsule highly efficient for chromium delivery.

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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Improved meta-analytic methods show no effect of chromium supplements on fasting glucose.
    Bailey CH · Biological trace element research · 2014
    Meta-analysis809 participants16 studies pooledMetabolism Boost forChromium
  2. A pilot study of chromium picolinate for weight loss.
    Yazaki Y; Faridi Z; Ma Y; Ali A; Northrup V; Njike VY; Liberti L; Katz DL · Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) · 2010
    Randomized trial80 participantsWeight Loss forChromium
  3. Chromium supplementation in non-obese non-diabetic subjects is associated with a decline in insulin sensitivity.
    Masharani U; Gjerde C; McCoy S; Maddux BA; Hessler D; Goldfine ID; Youngren JF · BMC endocrine disorders · 2013
    Randomized trial31 participantsMetabolism Boost forChromium
  4. Chromium picolinate balances the metabolic and clinical markers in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Kooshki F; Moradi F; Karimi A; Niazkar HR; Khoshbaten M; Maleki V; Pourghassem Gargari B · European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology · 2021
    Randomized trial46 participantsWeight Loss forChromium
  5. The Effects of Supplementation with Chromium on Insulin Resistance Indices in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
    Heshmati J; Omani-Samani R; Vesali S; Maroufizadeh S; Rezaeinejad M; Razavi M; Sepidarkish M · Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme · 2018
    Meta-analysis268 participants5 studies pooledMetabolism Boost forChromium
  6. Association Between Essential and Non-essential Metals, Body Composition, and Metabolic Syndrome in Adults.
    Ngu YJ; Skalny AV; Tinkov AA; Tsai CS; Chang CC; Chuang YK; Nikolenko VN; Zotkin DA; Chiu CF; Chang JS · Biological trace element research · 2022
    Cross-sectional study150 participantsWeight Loss forChromium
  7. Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
    Anderson RA; Cheng N; Bryden NA; Polansky MM; Cheng N; Chi J; Feng J · Diabetes · 1997
    Randomized trial180 participantsMetabolism Boost forChromium
  8. The Influences of Chromium Supplementation on Metabolic Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Heart Disease.
    Farrokhian A; Mahmoodian M; Bahmani F; Amirani E; Shafabakhsh R; Asemi Z · Biological trace element research · 2021
    Randomized trial64 participantsWeight Loss forChromium
  9. Chromium effects on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in persons at risk for diabetes mellitus.
    Ali A; Ma Y; Reynolds J; Wise JP; Inzucchi SE; Katz DL · Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists · 2011
    Randomized trial59 participantsMetabolism Boost forChromium
  10. Chromium picolinate supplementation in women: effects on body weight, composition, and iron status.
    Lukaski HC; Siders WA; Penland JG · Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) · 2007
    Randomized trial83 participantsWeight Loss forChromium
  11. Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
    Martin J; Wang ZQ; Zhang XH; Wachtel D; Volaufova J; Matthews DE; Cefalu WT · Diabetes care · 2006
    Randomized trial37 participantsMetabolism Boost Weight Loss forChromium
  12. Comparison of nutritional supplements in improving glycolipid metabolism and endocrine function in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
    Hu X; Wang W; Su X; Peng H; Tan Z; Li Y; Huang Y · PeerJ · 2023
    Meta-analysis2,362 participants41 studies pooledMetabolism Boost forChromium
  13. Chromium picolinate reduces insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome: Randomized controlled trial.
    Ashoush S; Abou-Gamrah A; Bayoumy H; Othman N · The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research · 2017
    Randomized trial100 participantsWeight Loss forChromium
  14. [Chromium supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes and high risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials].
    San Mauro-Martin I; Ruiz-León AM; Camina-Martín MA; Garicano-Vilar E; Collado-Yurrita L; Mateo-Silleras Bd; Redondo Del Río Mde P · Nutricion hospitalaria · 2017
    Meta-analysis13 studies pooledMetabolism Boost forChromium
  15. Chromium picolinate does not improve key features of metabolic syndrome in obese nondiabetic adults.
    Iqbal N; Cardillo S; Volger S; Bloedon LT; Anderson RA; Boston R; Szapary PO · Metabolic syndrome and related disorders · 2009
    Randomized trial63 participantsMetabolism Boost Weight Loss forChromium
  16. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of chromium supplementation in diabetes.
    Suksomboon N; Poolsup N; Yuwanakorn A · Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics · 2015
    Meta-analysis25 studies pooledMetabolism Boost forChromium
  17. Effect of chromium supplementation on the glucose homeostasis and anthropometry of type 2 diabetic patients: Double blind, randomized clinical trial: Chromium, glucose homeostasis and anthropometry.
    Guimarães MM; Carvalho AC; Silva MS · Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) · 2017
    Randomized trial56 participantsWeight Loss forChromium
  18. Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with poorly controlled, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in an obese Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Kleefstra N; Houweling ST; Jansman FG; Groenier KH; Gans RO; Meyboom-de Jong B; Bakker SJ; Bilo HJ · Diabetes care · 2006
    Randomized trial46 participantsWeight Loss forChromium
  19. Chromium Supplementation and the Effects on Metabolic Status in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
    Jamilian M; Asemi Z · Annals of nutrition & metabolism · 2016
    Randomized trial64 participantsMetabolism Boost forChromium
  20. A Comprehensive insight into the effect of chromium supplementation on oxidative stress indices in diabetes mellitus: A systematic review.
    Kooshki F; Tutunchi H; Vajdi M; Karimi A; Niazkar HR; Shoorei H; Pourghassem Gargari B · Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology · 2024
    Systematic review33 studies pooledMetabolism Boost forChromium
  21. Chromium supplementation and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Fazelian S; Rouhani MH; Bank SS; Amani R · Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) · 2018
    Meta-analysis351 participants7 studies pooledWeight Loss forChromium