Chromium's status as an essential nutrient is debated, and dietary deficiency has not been shown in healthy people. The few reported cases were patients on long-term TPN whose glucose intolerance, weight loss and nerve symptoms improved with chromium, though experts now doubt these cases show true deficiency. Chromium is sold heavily as a 'blood sugar' supplement, but evidence for benefit in non-deficient people is weak.
Common symptoms
No definitive chromium deficiency symptoms have been established; the effects below were reported in three case studies of patients on long-term TPN, which experts now doubt reflect true deficiency
Insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance
Unexplained weight loss
Confusion or impaired cognition
Peripheral neuropathy
Note: blood sugar issues in the general population almost always have causes other than chromium status
At-risk groups
People on long-term parenteral nutrition without added chromium (the only reported cases, now doubted as true deficiency)
Note: insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes are not chromium deficiency states
There are no validated lab tests reliably indicating chromium deficiency in the general population
When to see a doctorIf you have blood sugar concerns, insulin resistance, or diabetes, the evidence-based interventions are diet, exercise, weight management, and (when needed) metformin or other prescribed medications, not chromium supplements. The 2020 meta-analysis cited on this page did find modest improvements in blood sugar markers in people with type 2 diabetes, and its authors said the results might support chromium use. Even so, chromium is at most an addition to medical care, never a replacement for it. If you have actual symptoms of insulin resistance, see a doctor for proper evaluation.