Chromium is an essential trace mineral that has a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. It helps to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in the blood, and increases the efficiency of insulin.

A chromium deficiency is associated with increased risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake for chromium is 50 to 200 micrograms/day for adults. Recently, chromium has been touted as an agent for increasing lean body mass and decreasing body fat.

References

Kobla HV, Volpe SL Chromium, exercise, and body composition Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2000 Jul;40(4):291-308.; Volpe SL, Huang HW, Larpadisorn K, Lesser II.Effect of chromium supplementation and exercise on body composition, resting metabolic rate and selected biochemical parameters in moderately obese women following an exercise program.J Am Coll Nutr. 2001 Aug;20(4):293-306.; Anderson RA.Effects of chromium on body composition and weight loss.Nutr Rev. 1998 Sep;56(9):266-70.