Does Chromium Picolinate Promote Weight Loss?

Chromium picolinate is sold as a standalone supplement or also included in diet pill compounds promoting weight loss. Proponents of chromium picolinate claim that it reduces insulin resistance, which increases weight loss. While it's well known that the chromium mineral is needed for glucose to be utilized by insulin, supplementation with chromium would really only be necessary if the subject were deficient in that mineral. As it stands, it is extremely rare for a person to be chromium deficient in a first-world country.


Chromium picolinate is the combination of chromium and picolinic acid. Purportedly, supplementation with chromium aids the body in burning fat over muscle when there is an energy deficit and fuel is needed.


Pouring over the research done in regards to chromium picolinate is no small task. While one study (Althuis MD, Jordan NE, Ludington EA, Wittes JT (2002). "Glucose and insulin responses to dietary chromium supplements: a meta-analysis". AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION 76 (1): 148-155.) claimed there was no significant difference in insulin resistance, another study cited that the first study was flawed.


I counted 10 more studies, found mainly through PubMed, that confirmed Chromium Picolinate's ability to decrease insulin resistance.


I then narrowed my search and looked only for Chromium Picolinate studies that researched weight loss specifically. There was one in particular that supported a change in body composition (it was not body weight or body mass index, but rather fat composition of the body). Just as quickly, I found another study stating that absolutely no change in body composition was found when supplementing with chromium picolinate.


At the end of the day, it'll be up to you to decide if you'd like to try supplementation. It is key to monitor your changes, measure carefully, and keep an open mind. Don't conclude that it will work (or won't) before you try it, or that's likely the result you'll get. Chromium picolinate remains a small unknown, though the tides are starting to turn in its favor apparently.

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