The effect of chromium supplementation on cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #blood-glucose #blood-pressure #cardiovascular-diseases #chromium

The effect of chromium supplementation on cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial

Monfared et al., 2025 | J Trace Elem Med Biol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Monfared Vahid, Rashin Hadiseh, ... Hasani Motahareh. The effect of chromium supplementation on cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2025-Jun;89:127645. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2025.127645

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of chromium supplementation on cardiovascular-metabolic risk factors including lipid profile, glycemic index, anthropometric factors, blood pressure and liver function. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified through electronic database searches (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) up to March 2024. The overall effect size was calculated using the mean changes and standard deviations for the intervention and control groups. The I2 statistic and Cochran's Q-test were used to determine the existence of heterogeneity. A non-linear modeling explored heterogeneity, dose-response relationships, and the overall impact of Chromium supplementation. RESULTS: Twenty trials, with interventions ranging from 1 to 137 participant were included. Chromium supplementation significantly reduced Fasting blood glucose (FBG) ([WMD]: -1.60 mg/dl; 95 % [CI]: -3.28, 0.07; p = 0.06) and A1C ([WMD]: -0.05 %; 95 % [CI]: -0.19, 0.07; p = 0.38) HOMO-IR ([WMD]: -0.26; 95 % [CI]: 0.48, -0.03; p = 0.02) and insulin ([WMD]: -12.55 pmol/l; 95 % [CI]: -23.62, -1.47; p = 0.02) and a slight decrease in lipid profiles and anthropometric measures. However, there were some factors that Chromium was slightly increased compared to other groups, including: HDL, ALT, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP). Chromium has no significant effect on AST. CONCLUSION: The results of this experiment show that chromium supplementation had a positive effect on blood sugar control and various factors including weight, BMI, SBP, DBP, triglycerides, and waist circumference, and had an effective role in improving the level of liver enzymes.

Key Findings

Twenty trials, with interventions ranging from 1 to 137 participant were included. Chromium supplementation significantly reduced Fasting blood glucose (FBG) ([WMD]: -1.60 mg/dl; 95 % [CI]: -3.28, 0.07; p = 0.06) and A1C ([WMD]: -0.05 %; 95 % [CI]: -0.19, 0.07; p = 0.38) HOMO-IR ([WMD]: -0.26; 95 % [CI]: 0.48, -0.03; p = 0.02) and insulin ([WMD]: -12.55 pmol/l; 95 % [CI]: -23.62, -1.47; p = 0.02) and a slight decrease in lipid profiles and anthropometric measures. However, there were some factor

Outcomes Measured

  • blood pressure
  • systolic blood pressure
  • diastolic blood pressure

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition blood pressure

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Blood Glucose
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Chromium
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Obesity
  • Overweight
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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