Chromium is a mineral that appears to be involved in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. It is thought to support insulin production, and may also help stabilize blood sugar levels. Chromium can be found in foods such as meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and spices, but its concentration in these foods is significantly affected by manufacturing and processing. Chromium is also available in supplement form, as chromium chloride, chromium picolinate and chromium polynicotinate. According to World's Healthiest Foods, some researchers believe that chromium polynicotinate is the best absorbed chromium supplement.
Cholesterol Metabolism
World's Healthiest Foods reports that all forms of chromium are thought to play an important role in metabolizing dietary cholesterol, which indicates that this mineral might be useful in stabilizing cholesterol levels in the blood. Chromium also acts to metabolize nucleic acid, which is the genetic material found in the body's cells. Because nucleic acids are considered the "building blocks" of DNA, chromium may be useful at a genetic level. Further studies are needed to substantiate these findings, and chromium isn't considered a medical treatment for cholesterol management.
Blood Sugar
According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, chromium deficiency inhibits the body's ability to effectively use glucose, and therefore creates a greater need for insulin. The World's Healthiest Foods reports that chromium appears to have the ability to enhance the action of insulin, and may lower blood sugar. Unlike other forms of this mineral, chromium polynicotinate is bound to several molecules of vitamin B3. Because vitamin B3 also plays a role in normalizing blood sugar, chromium polynicotinate may be the preferable form of chromium for those wishing to address blood sugar. Further studies are warranted on the use of chromium for blood sugar control, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements notes.
Absorption and Bioavailability
There has been some dispute as to which form of chromium is best absorbed by the body, World's Healthiest Foods notes. Some findings suggest that forms of chromium that are chelated, or attached to another nutrient, are best absorbed. Both chromium picolinate and chromium polynicotinate are chelated, but chromium picolinate is attached to picolinic acid, which binds so closely to the chromium that it causes more chromium to be excreted as urine. For this reason, some believe that chromium polynicotinate, which binds to vitamin B3, might have superior absorption and bioavailability.
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