Chromium supplementation and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adolescent #adult #body-mass-index #chromium #dietary-supplements

Chromium supplementation and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Fazelian et al., 2017 | J Trace Elem Med Biol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Fazelian Siavash, Rouhani Mohamad H, ... Amani Reza. Chromium supplementation and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2017-Jul;42:92-96. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2017.04.008

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women. Some vitamins and mineral can play role in improvement of PCOS. Chromium (Cr) is an essential element in glucose and insulin homeostasis. However, findings are not consistent regarding PCOS improvement. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to assess the effect of Cr supplementation in PCOS that have not yet fully been elucidated. METHODS: We searched ISI Web of Science, MEDLINE (1966 to June 2016), Google Scholar databases and Proquest and identified eligible papers and extracted the following terms: total testosterone, DHEAS, insulin sensitivity, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, OGTT 1h glucose, OGTT 2h glucose (mg/dL), LH (mIU/mL), FSH, DHEAS, ferriman-Galwey score (FG score). We calculated overall effect size with random effects model, between-study heterogeneity with I square (I2) statistic. Publication bias was assessed using Begg's test regression. RESULT: Totally, 7 RCTs were selected. Results indicated that Cr supplementation had a beneficial effect on BMI with effect size: -2.37 (kg/m2), 95% CI: -2.99, -1.76, p=0.001 and free testosterone concentration with effect size=-0.52 (pg/mL), 95% CI: -0.83, -0.23, p=0.001. Cr reduced fasting insulin in subgroup of studies with >10 participants with effect size: -0.86mIU/ml, 95% CI: -0.67, -0.17; p=0.001. Cr supplementation had no beneficial effects on reducing total testosterone, FG score, DHEA, FSH and LH. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis shows that using Cr picolinate supplementation has beneficial effects on decreasing BMI, fasting insulin and free testosterone in PCOS patients.

Key Findings

This systematic review and meta-analysis shows that using Cr picolinate supplementation has beneficial effects on decreasing BMI, fasting insulin and free testosterone in PCOS patients.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 10
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Chromium
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Testosterone
  • Young Adult

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: chromium-pcos

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09