This necessary mineral supports the role of insulin, a hormone that’s critical for the absorption and storage of glucose, or blood sugar, according to the NIH.

“Basically, you need chromium to properly convert the food you eat into energy,” says Kristi King, RD, who works at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The former plays a key role in metabolism.

The kind we find in food is known as trivalent or chromium 3+, while the form emitted by industrial pollution is called hexavalent or chromium 6+, according to the NIH. Chromium: What It Does and Why We Need ItĪlthough we need to ingest chromium in small amounts, the mineral has two forms, and one can be toxic. Here’s more about chromium, including how much you need, whether you might be deficient, how chromium may impact weight loss and diabetes, and the best foods for obtaining this vital nutrient. Like other minerals, chromium doesn’t naturally occur in the body, so it must be obtained through diet or supplements. This mineral plays a role in metabolizing protein, carbohydrates, and fats and providing energy to your muscles and brain, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), but it may be best known for its ability to increase insulin sensitivity. Chromium isn't a micronutrient you tend to hear a lot about, but it’s an essential one nevertheless.

Chromium benefits risks