Chromium is an essential mineral that the body needs for good health. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, chromium deficiency can cause high blood sugar, high cholesterol and increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. For people who don't get enough chromium in their diet or who have an increased need for chromium, chromium supplements may be necessary. However, chromium deficiency is rare, and taking chromium supplements may cause side effects and drug interactions.
Side Effects with Excessive Chromium
While chromium supplements rarely cause side effects when taken in proper dosages, excessively high doses of this mineral can cause stomach irritation, itching and flushing, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Excessive chromium intake may also inhibit the effectiveness of insulin. Rarely, too much chromium can cause rapid, irregular heart rhythms and liver dysfunction, and there are two reported cases of kidney damage associated with taking chromium supplements, according to UMMC.
Drug Interaction Side Effects
Chromium supplements may also cause side effects when taken in conjunction with certain medications. According to UMMC, animal studies indicate that antacids containing calcium carbonate may reduce the body's ability to absorb chromium, and it may be inadvisable to take chromium with antacids. However, due to their effects on blood sugar, chromium supplements may produce beneficial side effects when taken with certain medications for the treatment of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. According to UMMC, clinical research demonstrates that people with diabetes who take chromium supplements may be able to lower their dosage of insulin, metformin or sulfonylureas.
Chromium Dosage
To avoid side effects with chromium supplements, make sure you don't take excessive doses. The amount of chromium you need to avoid chromium deficiency is 50 to 200 mcg per day for adults, according to MayoClinic.com. According to UMMC, for disease prevention and treatment, a normal chromium supplement dosage for adults is 200 mcg taken up to three times a day. People with type 2 diabetes may benefit from doses of up to 1,000 mcg daily. However, the long-term safety of such high doses is unknown.
Considerations
Because of the potential for side effects and drug interactions, you should only take dietary supplements such as chromium under the supervision of a health-care provider. For most people, sufficient dietary chromium can be obtained by eating various foods, including whole-grain breads and cereals, lean meats, cheeses, nuts, green beans and broccoli. While chromium deficiency is rare, the elderly, people who regularly engage in exhaustive exercise, people who consume too much sugar, and pregnant women are more likely than the general population to be chromium-deficient.
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