More about Chromium and PCOS

On this page, we reviewed the multiple ways in which chromium supplementation could help you with your health issues, such as PCOS, diabetes, acne, appetite control, blood sugar, hirsutism, polycystic ovaries, and insulin problems.  Here, let's review some basic information about this important nutrient.

Dietary Sources of Chromium

Brewer's yeast is the richest source. (However, nutritional yeast and torula yeast don't contain significant amounts). It can also be found in liver, mushrooms, wheat germ, oyster, some cheeses, whole wheat bread, beets, fresh fruit and chicken breasts.

It is notably low or absent is highly refined carbohydrates and processed foods.

Do We Get Enough in Our Diet?

Most people eat less than the U.S. National Academy of Science’s recommended range of 50-200 mcg per day. The majority of Americans get less than 50 mcg per day. The frequency of actual chromium deficiency in the general population is unknown and difficult to assess. Blood chromium levels are not in equilibrium with chromium stores and therefore do not provide a good indicator of adequacy in your body.

Are You Losing Chromium?

A compromised ability to retain chromium by individuals with type 2 diabetes might contribute to the insulin resistance found in this population.  Compared with healthy controls, researchers have found 33% lower plasma levels of this mineral and 100% higher urine values, suggesting a disruption in the ability to sustain appropriate levels. 

The researchers discovered that a reduction in plasma chromium levels and an increase in urinary elimination followed an infusion of glucose and the resultant insulin surge in healthy individuals.  Based on their experiments, it appeared the elevated insulin levels were adversely impacting chromium status.

Since PCOS has metabolic attributes similar to diabetes, it's possible that PCOS women lose more of this essential mineral than healthy women as a result of excessive insulin levels and eating foods with a high glycemic index.

Drug Interactions

D-Pinitol Has Chromium

Nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might increase chromium levels by increasing chromium absorption and retention. Some of these drugs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), aspirin, and others.

Antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may decrease absorption of this essential mineral and thus reduce its level. Reducing stomach acid seems to decrease its absorption due to formation of less soluble chromium salts. The H2 blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid). PPIs include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix, Pantoloc), and esomeprazole (Nexium).

Use of corticosteroids can increase urinary excretion of this mineral, which might lead to its deficiency and/or corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia.

Safety and Toxicity

It is safe in amounts found in foods or supplemental amounts not exceeding adequate intake (AI) levels. The AI for chromium depends on gender and age. For women aged 19 to 50 years, the AI is 25 mcg per day. For women aged 51 and older, the AI is 20 mcg.

Short-term amounts greater than adequate intake (AI) levels appear safe. Short-term, chromium picolinate has been safely used in doses up to 1000 mcg per day. However, there is insufficient information to establish the safe upper limit of intake. There is also some concern that long-term supplemental use may not be safe due to potential mutagenic effects.

During pregnancy, this mineral is safe in amounts not exceeding adequate intake (AI) levels. The AI for pregnant women aged 19 to 50 years is 30 mcg per day. There is some evidence that pregnant women with gestational diabetes can safely use chromium in doses of 4-8 mcg per kilogram.

Supplementation might exacerbate renal (kidney) insufficiency.

If you are taking insulin or an insulin sensitizer such as metformin, chromium supplementation could reduce your blood sugar below the desired level.

Consult with your doctor before taking this supplement if you plan to take long-term high doses, have kidney trouble, are pregnant, or take drugs related to diabetes or glucose/insulin control.

Different Forms of this Supplement

There are a number of different forms in supplements. Controversy exists as to which form is preferable.

• Chromium polynicotinate appears to have a beneficial effect on glucose metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes.
• Chromium picolinate is another generally recommended form of chromium, although there is some suggestion that high doses could be mildly mutagenic (cause changes in DNA).
• Chromium chloride is another common form, but it appears to be less effective than the other forms.

Dosage

A typical recommended dose is 200 mcg per day.

However, if you are looking for a therapeutic effect, higher doses might be more effective and work more quickly. Studies show that taking 500 mcg twice daily significantly decreases HbA1c after 2 months of treatment. (HbA1c is a blood test that reveals the average blood sugar level for the past 3 months.) Taking 100 mcg twice daily can take up to 4 months to decrease HbA1c levels.

Higher doses of 200 mcg three times daily or 500 mcg twice daily also seem to reduce triglyceride and total serum cholesterol levels after 2 to 4 months of treatment. This suggests that it might be beneficial for people with metabolic syndrome. PCOS and metabolic syndrome have a lot in common.

There is speculation that supplementation is most helpful for individuals with low chromium levels, but not as helpful if your levels are optimal. Supplementation only seems to have a blood glucose-lowering effect in 40% to 80% of people with elevated blood glucose.

Where Can You Get It?

The d-Pinitol formula contains 250 mcg of chromium per capsule (combined with vitamin D and d-pinitol) is available from our online PCOS Supplements Store. This combination is designed to support ovarian health.

You can also get 200 mcg in this high quality multi-vitamin/mineral.

Return to PCOS Supplements Page

ShareFacebookTwitter

E-Books to Help You Manage PCOS