Chromium

Previously classified as an essential enhancer of insulin action; a clearly required human function is not established.

Swiss reference value

No Swiss reference value in the current BLV table; essentiality in humans is scientifically debated.

Good food sources

Whole grains, meat, vegetables and spices in small, variable amounts.

When intake or status is low

No established dietary deficiency in free-living healthy people; historical cases involved special parenteral nutrition.

Long-term health connections

Chromium supplements do not reliably produce meaningful weight loss or diabetes control.

Skin, hair and nails

No specific visible deficiency signs established.

Who is more at risk

Only special artificial-nutrition settings are discussed.

How to assess it

Routine laboratory tests and self-diagnosis are not useful.

Supplements: when to consider

Do not recommend routinely; glucose and weight-loss marketing exceeds the evidence.

Too much and safety

High-dose products can harm kidney/liver and interact with medicines.

International reference systems