Effects of chromium supplementation on lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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Effects of chromium supplementation on lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Asbaghi et al., 2021 | J Trace Elem Med Biol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Asbaghi Omid, Naeini Fatemeh, ... Naeini Amirmansour Alavi. Effects of chromium supplementation on lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2021-Jul;66:126741. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126741

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of chromium supplementation on lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A systematic search was performed in Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane library and PubMed databases to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the effect of chromium supplementation on lipid profile in patients with T2DM, up to June 2020. Meta-analyses were performed using the random-effects model, and I2 index was used to evaluate heterogeneity. RESULTS: The primary search yielded 725 publications. 24 RCTs (with 28 effect size) were eligible. Our meta-analysis indicated that chromium supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in serum levels of triglyceride (TG) (MD: -6.54 mg/dl, 95 % CI: -13.08 to -0.00, P = 0.050) and total cholesterol (TC) (WMD: -7.77 mg/dl, 95 % CI: -11.35 to -4.18, P < 0.001). Furthermore, chromium significantly increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (WMD: 2.23 mg/dl, 95 % CI: 0.07-4.40, P = 0.043) level. However, chromium supplementation did not have significant effects on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (WMD: -8.54 mg/dl, 95 % CI: -19.58 to 2.49, P = 0.129) level. CONCLUSION: Chromium supplementation may significantly improve lipid profile in patients with T2DM by decreasing TG and TC and increasing HDL. However, based on our analysis, chromium failed to affect LDL. It should be noted that the lipid-lowering properties of chromium supplementation were small and may not reach clinical importance.

Key Findings

The primary search yielded 725 publications. 24 RCTs (with 28 effect size) were eligible. Our meta-analysis indicated that chromium supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in serum levels of triglyceride (TG) (MD: -6.54 mg/dl, 95 % CI: -13.08 to -0.00, P = 0.050) and total cholesterol (TC) (WMD: -7.77 mg/dl, 95 % CI: -11.35 to -4.18, P < 0.001). Furthermore, chromium significantly increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (WMD: 2.23 mg/dl, 95 % CI: 0.07-4.40, P = 0.043) level. However,

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population type 2 diabetes mellitus
Sample Size 24
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Chromium
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Lipids
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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