How does chromium work?

Chromium’s mechanisms of action are not well-understood, although it’s generally accepted that it enhances the effect of insulin and promotes glucose transport into insulin-sensitive tissues.^[1][2] It is currently thought that these actions occur via a biological complex (an oligopeptide called chromodulin, also known as low-molecular weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr)) with which chromium binds. In vitro research has found that insulin has a greater capacity to facilitate glucose metabolism in the presence of chromodulin,^[3] and that the ability of chromodulin to stimulate glucose metabolism is proportional to the chromium content of the complex.^[4] Chromodulin is thought to bind intracellularly to activated insulin receptors, essentially amplifying insulin signaling.^[5] In terms of chromium’s weight loss effects, chromium seems to reduce appetite and food cravings. Preliminary research suggests that chromium may act directly on the brain to induce these effects, possibly by impacting neurotransmission,^[6][7] but more research is needed to confirm this.