In research, chromium is generally supplemented at dosages ranging from 200–1000 µg daily. However, consistent dose-dependent responses haven’t been observed, and it’s unclear what an optimal dose of chromium might be.^[1]

Supplemental chromium is available in a variety of forms, with chromium picolinate, chromium nicotinate, chromium chloride, and chromium-enriched yeast being the most commonly studied forms. There isn’t clear evidence suggesting one form is the best. When taken orally, chromium in both food and supplements is poorly absorbed by the body, with absorption rates ranging from just 0.4% to 2.5%.^[2] While it has been circulated in the literature that chromium picolinate has superior absorption, the study this is based on used unreliable methods to measure chromium levels and was funded by a manufacturer of chromium picolinate.^[3] Other research suggests that chromium picolinate does not have superior bioavailability compared to other forms of supplemental chromium.^[4][5][1]

In terms of dietary requirements, in 2001 the Institute of Medicine proposed an adequate intake of chromium to be 30–35 and 20–25 µg daily for men and women, respectively. However, due to a lack of clinical research, this was based on estimated average intakes in the United States.^[6] In 2014, the European Food Safety Authority claimed that it was inappropriate to suggest an adequate intake level of chromium due to a lack of evidence for the beneficial role of chromium on human health.^[7]