Chromium supplementation does not improve weight loss or metabolic and hormonal variables in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#blood-glucose #body-mass-index #chromium #dietary-supplements #female

Chromium supplementation does not improve weight loss or metabolic and hormonal variables in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review

Maleki et al., 2018 | Nutr Res | Systematic Review

Citation

Maleki Vahid, Izadi Azimeh, ... Alizadeh Mohammad. Chromium supplementation does not improve weight loss or metabolic and hormonal variables in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review. Nutr Res. 2018-Aug;56:1-10. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.04.003

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age, and recently, chromium was discussed as an adjuvant way to manage it. Herein, a systematic review was conducted which centered on the effects of chromium on ovarian physiology with a focus on body mass index, as well as hormonal and metabolic dysfunctions in women suffering from PCOS. This review was performed using the guidelines from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews. Clinical trials investigating chromium in women with PCOS with outcome measures related to metabolic and hormonal status were included. The search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for clinical trials in the English language from the inception of the resources until May 2017 with the terms: chromium, chromium picolinate, CrP, polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS, and sclerocystic ovary syndrome. The search resulted in 89 articles, and after inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 6 articles were selected for analysis. Two studies that evaluated the effect of chromium on body weight or body mass index reported no effect. Another study reported the beneficial effect of chromium on weight reduction. It seems that the effect of chromium in the reduction of blood glucose is insignificant, and results are inconsistent in relation to dyslipidemia. With regard to the effects of chromium on concentrations of sex hormones, a longer duration of treatment is needed to produce significant changes. The articles reviewed demonstrated that chromium supplementation has limited effects on weight reduction, glucose control, lipid profile, and hormonal disturbance of women with PCOS; however, more studies are needed due to the clinical changes observed in patients with PCOS after chromium supplementation.

Key Findings

The articles reviewed demonstrated that chromium supplementation has limited effects on weight reduction, glucose control, lipid profile, and hormonal disturbance of women with PCOS; however, more studies are needed due to the clinical changes observed in patients with PCOS after chromium supplementation.

Outcomes Measured

  • C-reactive protein

Population

Field Value
Population pcos after chromium supplementation
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Body Mass Index
  • Chromium
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Humans
  • Lipids
  • Ovary
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Trace Elements
  • Weight Loss

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: chromium-weight

Provenance

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