Thorne Chromium Picolinate Review

Product Focus: Blood SugarAlso covers:HormonesMetabolismHeart
Tier ⓘ
Tier 4 · Rank 5
Tier 4 · Emerging. A promising mechanism or animal data, with thin human evidence so far. Rank 5 within Tier 4 for Blood Sugar; 43 of 47 overall. Tiers run from 1, the strongest evidence, to 5. How we grade →
Evidence ⓘ
15 /100
How strongly the evidence says this product works: human studies count most, then real reviews, then our biohacker panel.
Biohacker Mentions
0 of 10

Study, Trial or Testing Result Summary

Members Only55 human studies · 28 improved
55 human studies28 improved11 no effect36,408 people studied

Chromium is taken here at 1000 micrograms a day, a full dose that matches the amount used in several trials. In people with type 2 diabetes, a large pooled comparison of 170 trials ranked chromium best among vitamins and minerals for lowering fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance, though the certainty of that evidence was low [1]. A pooling of 28 trials found fasting sugar fell by about 19 points, with lower long-term blood sugar and insulin resistance [2]. Another pooling of 13 trials found fasting sugar fell by about 29 points and total cholesterol dropped slightly [3]. In 180 adults with diabetes, 1000 micrograms of chromium picolinate daily for 4 months lowered long-term and fasting blood sugar compared with placebo [4]. In a 6-month trial of 73 adults with diabetes, 63 percent improved insulin sensitivity compared with 30 percent on placebo [5]. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, pooled trials showed lower insulin resistance and lower blood fats [6]. However, an older pooled analysis found no effect in people without diabetes, and some trials in metabolic syndrome found no benefit. No customer reviews could be counted for this product. Animal and cell studies are never counted.

See all 55 studies →Hide the studies

Review Totals and Summary

Members OnlyWhat buyers say

No written reviews read yet.

Biohacker Summary

Members Only0 of 10 recommend it
0 of 10 biohackers on our panel recommend it

Seven of the ten panelists spoke about chromium, and most of them recommend or use it, mainly for blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity. Four recommend it outright, including for insulin resistance and better body composition, while three stay neutral and call its effect on blood glucose mild or mention it only in passing. Chromium picolinate is the form named most often, and the doses given are a couple hundred micrograms for insulin sensitivity and 1000 micrograms as damage control after too many carbohydrates. Panelists take it when they plan to eat extra carbs or sugar, and one pairs it with vanadium and bitter melon extract for blood sugar. One warns against taking it for weight loss, calling the effect weak and debatable, and the same person stopped taking it after using it years ago.

See all 7 biohackers →Hide the biohackers
  • Ben Greenfield · Chromium · neutral
    • 15 Oct 2026 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Mentions chromium as a secondary ingredient in blood sugar control products, along with vanadium and bittermelon extract.
    • 19 Sep 2024 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Ben Greenfield asks if the Chromax tablet, which contains chromium picolinate, is designed to help with insulin sensitivity.
    • 25 May 2024 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Ben mentions chromium as a primary ingredient in his supplements company's blood sugar control product, along with vanadium and bitter melon extract.
    • 13 Mar 2024 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Uses chromium picolinate, found in the ChromaX component of Active H2, for improved insulin sensitivity, blood glucose control, and a metabolism spark.
    • 20 Mar 2021 · neutral · Podcast ↗
      Mentions that chromium is used to stabilize blood sugar.
    • 8 Jun 2019 · neutral · Podcast ↗
      Lists Chromium as a micro-nutrient that, if deficient, can hinder fat loss.
    • 8 Jun 2019 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Mentions chromium as one of the most significant micronutrients whose deficiency can prevent fat loss.
    • 13 May 2017 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Mentions chromium as beneficial for not just blood sugar but also postprandial triglycerides, based on studies in Japan.
    • 1 May 2013 · neutral · Podcast ↗
      He notes that Chromium only helps with sugar cravings for a listener experiencing constant food cravings.
    • Date not recorded · recommends · Website ↗
      Mentions chromium as a supplement that can be used for carbohydrate cravings.
  • Thomas DeLauer · Chromium · recommends
    • 7 Aug 2026 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Suggests chromium as a bonus add-on for insulin resistance, noting that it directly activates GLUT4 transporters, increasing their production independently of insulin, which is valuable for insulin-resistant tissue.
    • 10 Jun 2026 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends chromium picolinate as a runner-up for blood sugar regulation, explaining it helps insulin receptor sensitivity, making the receptor receive signals from insulin better, even at doses of a couple hundred micrograms.
    • 8 Sep 2025 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns against taking chromium picolinate specifically for weight loss, stating that while it's an essential mineral and can help with glucose control, its impact on weight loss is weak and clinically debatable, with better effects achievable from other compounds like caffeine.
    • 27 Aug 2024 · stopped · YouTube ↗
      Used to take chromium picolinate back in the 1980s but no longer does.
    • 20 Jul 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends 1000 micrograms of chromium for damage control after consuming too many carbohydrates, as it improves the activation and number of glute Fork transporters, which suck up glucose from the bloodstream.
    • 27 Nov 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends chromium picolinate at 400 micrograms for high blood sugar, citing a study that showed a decrease in glucose and hba1c, particularly in men.
    • 16 Oct 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Suggests adding a little bit of chromium on carbohydrate days to help utilize carbohydrates better and prevent glucose intolerance.
    • 27 Jan 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends taking chromium to help with carbohydrate utilization.
    • 8 Jan 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Mentions that chromium supplementation could potentially be helpful for mitigating glucose spikes.
    • 7 Jan 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends using 500 to 1000 micrograms of chromium to help with carbohydrate metabolism.
  • Siim Land · Chromium · recommends
    • 26 Jul 2026 · recommends · X ↗
      Recommends chromium as a mineral that can lead to better body composition.
    • 27 Jun 2026 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Would take chromium for pre-diabetes.
    • 12 Jun 2026 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      States that chromium, a mineral, helps with blood sugar.
    • 28 Dec 2025 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Considers Chromium a 'pretty good' supplement due to evidence supporting its role in blood sugar regulation, cholesterol metabolism, and body composition through enhanced insulin sensitivity, and has personally used it as a bodybuilding supplement.
    • 11 Dec 2025 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends chromium picolinate for metabolic health, stating it is most beneficial for insulin sensitivity.
    • 3 Sep 2025 · stopped · YouTube ↗
      Used to take chromium in the past but no longer does, as he has already tested most supplements.
    • 16 Aug 2025 · uses · YouTube ↗
      States that Chromium has significant evidence for blood sugar regulation, cholesterol metabolism, and body composition through increased insulin sensitivity. He has taken it in the past as a bodybuilding supplement for muscle growth and considers it a good supplement.
    • 29 Jun 2025 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends supplementing chromium if sweating a lot from daily sauna use and not getting enough from the diet, as it is one of the biggest minerals lost in sweat.
    • 17 May 2024 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that chromium picolinate helps with cholesterol.
    • 15 Mar 2024 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Observes that the guest's chromium levels are pretty elevated, and they considered if it was from stainless steel cooking, but he wouldn't worry too much about it, suggesting it could be from food.
  • Dave Asprey · Chromium · recommends
    • 22 Oct 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Mentions chromium as something one might take after getting off an airplane, in a hypothetical future scenario where devices are proactive.
    • 11 Apr 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Suggests trying chromium for controlling blood sugar.
    • 11 Dec 2020 · uses · YouTube ↗
      States that when he is going to eat more carbs than advisable, he will take chromium to blunt his blood sugar spike.
    • 25 Sep 2020 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Says he takes chromium when he eats sugar to block glycation.
    • Date not recorded · uses · Website ↗
      States he uses chromium.
  • Dr. Mark Hyman · Chromium · recommends
    • 26 Jul 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Mentions that chromium may be helpful for people with insulin resistance and that he uses it in his practice.
    • 7 Jun 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      States that chromium, usually found in a multivitamin, is important for blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, and detoxification.
    • 3 May 2024 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Mentions using chromium for blood sugar.
    • 18 Mar 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Mentions chromium as one of many nutrients that can be helpful for insulin resistance.
    • 13 Oct 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends chromium as helpful for insulin resistance and regulating blood sugar.
    • 5 Oct 2022 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      States that chromium is critical for regulating blood sugar.
    • 30 Jun 2021 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Mentions chromium as a micronutrient that plays a role in modulating the integrity of bone marrow cells.
    • Date not recorded · neutral · Website ↗
      Lists Chromium (picolinate) 500 mcg by Pure Encapsulations as a product available.
  • Dr. Eric Berg · Chromium · neutral
    • 14 Dec 2023 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that a med depletes chromium.
    • 5 Dec 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Notes that high glucose and insulin resistance cause a loss of chromium, and recommends taking this mineral as a supplement to help protect against developing these conditions.
    • 13 Oct 2023 · recommends · Podcast ↗
      Recommends chromium as one of the best natural remedies for insulin resistance.
    • 25 Feb 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      States that chromium is really good for insulin resistance.
    • 12 Oct 2022 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends chromium picolinate as a supplement to support the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin, thereby helping with insulin resistance.
    • 21 Jun 2022 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends chromium, a trace mineral, to help with blood sugars.
    • 13 Jan 2022 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends chromium for enhancing insulin and its role as a cofactor in insulin production, making it important for blood sugar regulation and preventing cholesterol buildup in arteries.
    • 18 Dec 2021 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that nutritional yeast has chromium, which is really good for blood sugars.
    • 25 Oct 2021 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends taking chromium for blood sugar regulation, noting that it supports insulin resistance and makes insulin more sensitive, thereby reducing insulin levels.
    • 22 Oct 2021 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends chromium to improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Andrew Huberman · Chromium · neutral
    • 11 Oct 2021 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Mentions chromium as having a mild effect on blood glucose.
    • 19 Apr 2021 · neutral · Podcast ↗
      Lists Chromium as a supplement.
    • 19 Apr 2021 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that chromium has been shown in 29 studies to have a minor effect on reducing blood glucose.
    • Date not recorded · neutral · Website ↗
      Mentions Chromium in a list of ingredients.

RAL Summary

Members OnlyTier 4 for Blood Sugar

Human studies, mainly in type 2 diabetes, support chromium for lowering blood sugar and insulin resistance, but there are no counted reviews, so it stays at the emerging tier.

  • Emerging: not enough evidence to rank higher yet.

Where the evidence disagrees: 11 of the 55 human studies found no effect.

More Details

Members OnlyBody systems · Combine with · Possible side effects

Body systems: Endocrine system, Metabolic system, Cardiovascular system

Possible side effects: No major side effects reported.

Supplement Facts

Chromium 500 mcg
Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1 Capsule(s)
Servings Per Container 60
Amount Per Serving% Daily Value
Chromium500 mcg

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose, Leucine, Silicon Dioxide.

Directions: Suggested use: Take 1 capsule one to two times daily or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner.

Barcode (UPC) 693749255024 · Label source: NIH label database · Report a label change

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Graded November 5, 2026 by the Reverse Age Lab evidence engine, from human studies, real reviews and our biohacker panel. How we grade. Is this medical advice? No. Rala organizes the published evidence; go over any change with your doctor, especially if you take meds.