Ingredient Repository · Ingredient

🌿
Ingredient

Chromium

Essential trace mineral that enhances insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and macronutrient metabolism.

What it is

Chromium (as highly absorbable chromium picolinate or polynicotinate) is an essential trace element required for carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. In Velobiotics formulations like Her-Biotics Ageless 50+, His-Biotics Ageless 50+, and Her-Biotics PMS Support, highly bioavailable chromium picolinate is delivered alongside microencapsulated probiotics to enhance cellular glucose uptake and metabolic stability.

Also known as: Chromium Picolinate, Chromium Polynicotinate

What it does

  • Potentiates insulin signaling by increasing insulin receptor auto-phosphorylation.
  • Facilitates glucose transport into muscle and adipose cells via GLUT4 receptor translocation.
  • Helps regulate blood glucose fluctuations and supports healthy glycemic control.
  • Assists in lipid metabolism and reduction of systemic inflammatory markers.

Amplified by probiotics

Chromium absorption in the upper small intestine is typically low (<2%). Probiotic fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids (acetate and lactate) that lower luminal pH and keep trivalent chromium ions (Cr3+) in a soluble, unprecipitated state. Furthermore, probiotics promote tight junction protein expression, improving enterocyte health and passive paracellular flux. Reduced gut mucosal inflammation prevents damage to brush-border active nutrient transporters, boosting systemic bioavailability of chromium picolinate.

Typical dose

100–400 µg/day

The evidence

Evidence: strong

Multiple clinical trials and meta-analyses show that trivalent chromium supplementation (especially chromium picolinate) significantly reduces fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and insulin resistance in adults with metabolic dysregulation. (Suksomboon et al. 2014, J Clin Pharm Ther; Asbaghi et al. 2020, Biol Trace Elem Res; Vincent JB. 2017, J Nutr).

  1. Suksomboon N, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of chromium supplementation in diabetes. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2014;39(3):292-306 PubMed ↗
  2. Asbaghi O, et al. The effects of chromium supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2020;196(1):30-40 PubMed ↗
  3. Vincent JB. New evidence against chromium as an essential trace element. J Nutr. 2017;147(12):2212-2219 PubMed ↗

Safety & who should check first

Trivalent chromium is safe and well tolerated up to 1000 µg/day. Diabetic patients taking blood-glucose-lowering medications should monitor blood sugar levels, as chromium may increase insulin sensitivity.