Chromium

Chromium is an essential trace mineral that can improve insulin sensitivity and enhance protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. It is a metallic element that people need in very small quantities.

Good sources of chromium include:

• meat
• nuts
• cereal grains
•  grain products
• fruits
• vegetables
•  spices
• brewer’s yeast

How much chromium do I need?

Around 25 micrograms of chromium, a day should be enough for adults. A microgram is 1,000 times smaller than a milligram (mg).

The word microgram is sometimes written with the Greek symbol μ followed by the letter g (μg).

You should be able to get all the chromium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

What happens if I take too much chromium?

There’s not enough evidence to know what the effects might be of taking high doses of chromium each day.

Important Tips

You should be able to get all the chromium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

If you take chromium supplements, do not take too much as this might be harmful.

Having 10mg or less a day of chromium from food and supplements is unlikely to cause any harm.