PCOS is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia, which has made chromium a supplement of interest for PCOS. While chromium does seem to reduce markers of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in people with PCOS, there is no obvious effect on BMI, fasting blood sugar or insulin, or lipid profiles. Additionally, there is some evidence that chromium supplementation may actually increase levels of testosterone (a negative effect in PCOS),[1] but this has not consistently been found.[2] Overall, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of chromium for PCOS.
References
- ^Tang XL, Sun Z, Gong LChromium supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysisJ Obstet Gynaecol Res.(2018 Jan)
- ^Fazelian S, Rouhani MH, Bank SS, Amani RChromium supplementation and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysisJ Trace Elem Med Biol.(2017 Jul)