Daily Chromium Requirements for Adults
According to the most recent ESPEN micronutrient guidelines (2022), the adequate daily chromium intake for adults is 35 μg/day for men and 25 μg/day for women. 1
Chromium: Essential Functions and Metabolism
Chromium is an essential trace element that plays a crucial role in:
- Enhancing insulin action in peripheral tissues
- Regulating carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism
- Improving insulin sensitivity by increasing insulin receptor numbers
- Activating glucose transporters (Glut1 and Glut4)
Chromium absorption in the small intestine is relatively poor (0.4-2.5%) and depends on total body chromium concentration. After absorption, it is:
- Transported in blood bound to transferrin and albumin
- Stored primarily in liver, spleen, soft tissue, and bone
- Excreted mainly through urine (3-50 μg/day)
Recommended Daily Intake
The ESPEN guidelines provide clear recommendations for chromium intake:
Oral/Enteral Route:
- Men: 35 μg/day
- Women: 25 μg/day
- Enteral nutrition should provide at least 35 μg/day with 1500 kcal/day 1
Parenteral Route:
- At least 10 μg per day for adults receiving parenteral nutrition 1
Clinical Implications of Chromium Status
Deficiency Risk Factors
- Insufficient dietary intake (common in industrialized countries)
- Acute illness with metabolic stress (burns, trauma, infections)
- Decreased absorption (short bowel syndrome)
- Parenteral nutrition without chromium supplementation
Clinical Manifestations of Deficiency
- Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance
- Weight loss
- Elevated plasma free fatty acids
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Increased cardiovascular risk
Monitoring Considerations
- Regular monitoring of chromium status is not routinely recommended
- Serum chromium can be determined when there is clinical suspicion of deficiency or toxicity 1
Important Caveats and Pitfalls
Supplementation for Metabolic Conditions:
- Despite theoretical benefits, chromium supplementation should not be used to improve glycemia and dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or non-diabetic patients 1
- Clinical trials have shown inconsistent benefits, with meta-analyses revealing large heterogeneity and poor quality across studies
Toxicity Concerns:
- Parenteral chromium may have higher potential toxicity
- Chromium contaminants in parenteral nutrition solutions can increase delivery by 10-100%
- Dose reduction should occur in renal failure
Special Populations:
- Elderly individuals may be more vulnerable to chromium depletion
- Chromium accumulates in bones of patients with end-stage renal disease
Measurement Challenges:
- Chromium assessment is difficult due to low amounts in biological materials
- No reliable indicator of chromium status exists 2
The evidence supports maintaining adequate chromium intake within the recommended ranges, while avoiding excessive supplementation unless there is clear evidence of deficiency.