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What Is Chromium? Health Benefits, Risks, and More

Chromium supplements aren’t necessary unless you’ve been instructed by your physician to take one. “A healthy, balanced, and varied diet will provide you with all you need,” says Torey Armul, RD, who is based in Lewis Center, Ohio. In addition, if you take a daily multivitamin, chromium is included in most preparations.
Here are some conditions for which chromium may provide some benefit.
May Help Manage Diabetes
“It should be noted that studies that have shown chromium to be beneficial have recommended that it be used in conjunction with traditional diabetes management practices,” says Kristi King, RD, who works at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The studies mentioned have not looked at chromium as a replacement for other diabetes treatments.
May Improve Some Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Symptoms
Even though a few studies show chromium may help some symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, researchers note that more high-quality studies are needed.