What is the potential importance of taking chromium?

Chromium nutrition has been difficult to study because of technical problems in analyzing foods and human body fluids for chromium content. Partly for this reason, there is disagreement about the extent of chromium deficiency in Western societies. Many studies have found sub-optimal levels of chromium in the diet, compared to published recommendations. However, some authorities question the validity of the recommended minimum requirements. Chromium deficiency has been associated with blood sugar and cholesterol abnormalities. Also, chromium levels in the body decline as people get older, which is when these problems often appear. Therefore, while chromium supplements have not been tested for their ability to prevent diabetes or heart disease, many healthcare practitioners recommend chromium supplements as a reasonable precaution. A few single case reports have described possible serious side effects in people taking large amounts of chromium, from 600 to 2400 mcg per day, although it is not clear whether chromium was responsible for these reactions.