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Chromium (Picolinate)

Mineraloral · inferred

Trace mineral that enhances insulin signaling and may improve glucose metabolism. Picolinate form offers better bioavailability.

Projected serum levels — 200 mcg (≈ 0.20 mg), once daily

Chromium (Picolinate)
Chromium (Picolinate) modeled serum levels, 200 mcg (≈ 0.20 mg) once daily over 121 days Population-based pharmacokinetic estimate. Steady state reached after approximately 79 days. 0 0.25 0.50 0.75 1 Day 0 Day 30 Day 61 Day 91 Day 121 Time on a regular schedule ≈ steady state · day 79
Chromium (Picolinate) modeled serum levels with a loading dose of 600 mcg, then 200 mcg (≈ 0.20 mg) once daily The first dose is larger so levels approach steady state faster. 0 0.25 0.50 0.75 1 Day 0 Day 30 Day 61 Day 91 Day 121 Time on a regular schedule

Maintenance schedule: 200 mcg (≈ 0.20 mg) once daily (oral).

Loading schedule: 600 mcg on day 1, then 200 mcg (≈ 0.20 mg) once daily — reaching therapeutic levels sooner.

Modeled steady state after ~79 days: peak ≈ 0.16 mg, trough ≈ 0.16 mg body load. Population-based estimate over 121 days for a reference dose at a 70 kg reference body mass — the interactive app scales curves to your doses, timing, and body mass.

Key facts

Category
Mineral
Route modeled
Oral
Model confidence
inferred
Half-life
30 days
Common dose
200 mcg (≈ 0.20 mg)
Suggested maximum
1k mcg/day
Reference dose range
100–1k mcg (single dose)
Suggested cadence
once daily

Documented interactions

  • caution
    Alendronate (Fosamax) + Chromium (Picolinate) Chelation

    Alendronate (Fosamax) (bisphosphonate) forms insoluble complexes with Chromium (Picolinate) in the GI tract, reducing absorption of both.

  • caution
    Armour Thyroid (Desiccated Thyroid Extract) + Chromium (Picolinate) Chelation

    Armour Thyroid (Desiccated Thyroid Extract) (thyroid hormone) forms insoluble complexes with Chromium (Picolinate) in the GI tract, reducing absorption of both.

  • caution
    Berberine + Chromium (Picolinate) Potentiation

    Both chromium and berberine enhance insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose.

  • caution
    Metformin + Chromium (Picolinate) Potentiation

    Chromium enhances insulin sensitivity. Combined with metformin, may cause hypoglycemia.

Serum checks 4 modeled interaction pairings for chromium (picolinate) across your whole stack — absorption conflicts, enzyme inhibition, and nutrient depletion included.

Research behind this entry

  1. Chromium picolinate supplementation for overweight or obese adults Tian H et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013 DOI

    Cochrane review found chromium picolinate produced a statistically significant but clinically small reduction in body weight (average 1.1 kg) compared to placebo.

  2. Beneficial effects of chromium(III) on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Anderson RA et al. · Diabetes, 1997 DOI

    RCT in 180 type 2 diabetic patients found 1000 mcg/day chromium picolinate significantly reduced HbA1c, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol over 4 months.

  3. Effect of chromium supplementation on glucose metabolism and lipids: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Balk EM et al. · Diabetes Care, 2007 DOI

    Systematic review of 22 trials found limited evidence that chromium supplementation improves glucose or lipid metabolism in non-diabetic individuals, with stronger evidence in diabetics.

  4. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate craving. Docherty JP, Sack DA, Roffman M, Finch M, Komorowski JR · Journal of psychiatric practice, 2005 DOI

    This citation reports a human clinical study involving Chromium (Picolinate). It does not by itself establish a qualified dose, safety profile, efficacy claim, or pharmacokinetic route for this record.

4 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.