Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#blood-glucose #chromium #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #dietary-supplements #glycated-hemoglobin

Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Zhao et al., 2022 | Biol Trace Elem Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Zhao Fengyi, Pan Da, ... Sun Guiju. Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2022-Feb;200(2):516-525. doi:10.1007/s12011-021-02693-3

Abstract

In recent years, the prevalence and incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) have increased sharply worldwide. In order to evaluate the effect of chromium supplementation on patients with type 2 diabetes, a meta-analysis was conducted by searching the relevant literature. Randomized controlled trials on the effects of chromium supplements on glucose metabolism or lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes were retrieved from multiple databases. Literature screening, quality evaluation, and data extraction were conducted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and Review Manager 5.4.0 was used for data analysis. A total of 10 randomized controlled trials involving 509 patients were included, including 269 cases in the experimental group and 240 cases in the placebo control group. Statistical analysis was conducted on the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to evaluate the blood glucose and lipid levels. Meta-analysis results showed that the differences between the experimental group and the control group in only one indicator of HbA1c were statistically significant, while there were no statistically significant differences in other indicators. The use of chromium supplements can reduce the glycosylated hemoglobin of type 2 diabetic patients to a certain extent, but it cannot effectively improve the fasting blood glucose and blood lipid levels of type 2 diabetic patients.

Key Findings

The use of chromium supplements can reduce the glycosylated hemoglobin of type 2 diabetic patients to a certain extent, but it cannot effectively improve the fasting blood glucose and blood lipid levels of type 2 diabetic patients.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population type 2 diabetes
Sample Size 509
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Chromium
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Lipids
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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