What causes chromium deficiency?

October 24, 2025 •

4 min read

Despite being a vital trace mineral, only a small percentage (less than 5%) of dietary chromium is absorbed by the body, making a significant chromium deficiency a possibility under specific conditions. This deficiency can impair insulin function and glucose metabolism.

Quick Summary

Chromium deficiency results from poor intake, reduced absorption, or increased excretion due to diets high in refined sugars, aging, physical stress, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions.

Key Points

Refined Foods: Diets high in refined sugars and white flour are a primary cause of low chromium intake and increased excretion.
Metabolic Stress: Periods of high stress, such as pregnancy, lactation, strenuous exercise, and trauma, can increase the body's loss of chromium.
Aging: The natural aging process can reduce the body's ability to absorb chromium efficiently, increasing risk for the elderly.
Underlying Conditions: Diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome can contribute to impaired chromium metabolism and insulin function.
Poor Absorption: In general, chromium is poorly absorbed by the body, making it susceptible to deficiency if intake is inadequate or excretion is high.
TPN Risk: Individuals on long-term Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) without chromium supplementation can develop a deficiency.

Dietary Factors

One of the most common causes of low chromium levels is a diet lacking in chromium-rich foods. Modern food processing techniques, such as refining grains and sugars, strip away a significant portion of this essential trace mineral. A diet heavily reliant on processed and refined carbohydrates, especially simple sugars, can lead to a dual problem: both a low intake of chromium and increased excretion of the mineral from the body. Conversely, whole, unprocessed foods retain higher mineral content and are better sources of chromium.

Impact of Food Processing

Foods that undergo extensive processing often lose a substantial amount of their nutritional value, including chromium. Whole-grain products, brewer's yeast, and some vegetables are naturally good sources, but when grains are milled to produce white flour, the chromium-rich outer layer is removed. Similarly, refining sugar cane to produce refined sugar eliminates the chromium content. This leads to a higher consumption of low-chromium foods, creating a nutritional imbalance.

Physiological Stress and Increased Excretion

Beyond simple dietary intake, certain physiological conditions can increase the body's need for chromium or cause it to excrete more of the mineral. These stressors put individuals at a higher risk of developing a deficiency, especially if their dietary intake is already low.

Pregnancy and Lactation: The body's demands for nutrients increase significantly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Studies show that these periods of high metabolic activity can lead to increased chromium loss.
Intense Exercise: Strenuous and prolonged physical activity can induce chromium loss. Athletes, in particular, may have a higher turnover rate of chromium and therefore a greater need for it.
Physical Trauma and Infection: The body's stress response to physical trauma, burns, and infections can lead to higher chromium excretion. The intense metabolic demand and inflammatory response can deplete the body's chromium stores.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Several health conditions are associated with either impaired chromium metabolism or an increased risk of deficiency. In many cases, these conditions exacerbate an already marginal chromium status.

Diabetes and Insulin Resistance: A key function of chromium is to assist insulin in its role of regulating blood sugar. When chromium levels are low, insulin's effectiveness can be reduced, leading to impaired glucose tolerance and a higher risk of developing or exacerbating conditions like type 2 diabetes. In turn, the high blood insulin and elevated glucose associated with diabetes can increase chromium excretion, creating a vicious cycle.
Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: These conditions are linked to insulin resistance, making individuals with obesity and metabolic syndrome more susceptible to the effects of low chromium. The inflammatory status common in these conditions may also play a role.
Aging: As people get older, their body's ability to absorb nutrients can decline. This can put elderly populations at an increased risk of marginal chromium deficiency, especially if their dietary intake is also insufficient.
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN): Severe, clinically significant chromium deficiency was first observed in patients receiving TPN (intravenous feeding) that did not contain adequate chromium. This highlights the importance of consistent intake, particularly in those unable to get nutrients through their diet.

Comparing Sources: Whole Foods vs. Refined Foods

To illustrate the impact of dietary choices on chromium intake, consider the difference between whole and refined food options.


Feature	Whole Foods (e.g., Whole Grains, Legumes)	Refined Foods (e.g., White Bread, Sugar)
Chromium Content	High	Low or insignificant
Processing Level	Minimal	Extensive
Effect on Excretion	Does not increase excretion	High sugar content increases urinary excretion
Nutrient Density	High in vitamins and minerals	Low nutrient density; often "empty calories"
Metabolic Impact	Supports stable blood sugar	Can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Problem

What causes chromium deficiency is not a single factor but a combination of dietary habits, metabolic stress, and pre-existing medical conditions. While a severe, clinical deficiency is rare, suboptimal chromium levels are more common and can contribute to insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism. Addressing this requires a holistic approach that focuses on a balanced diet rich in whole foods while being mindful of other factors that may increase the body's need for this vital mineral. For anyone concerned about their chromium status, consulting a healthcare provider is the best course of action.

For more information on dietary minerals, refer to the NIH Fact Sheet on Chromium.

List of Chromium-Rich Food Sources

Whole-grain products
Meats and poultry
Brewer's yeast
Broccoli and green beans
Egg yolks
Nuts
Some spices, like black pepper

Steps to Address Low Chromium Levels

Review Your Diet: Analyze your current food intake for over-reliance on refined carbohydrates and sugars.
Increase Whole Foods: Incorporate more whole grains, nuts, and vegetables to naturally boost your chromium intake.
Manage Stress: For those in high-stress situations, like intense training or chronic illness, dietary considerations are especially important.
Medical Consultation: If you have a pre-existing condition like diabetes, talk to a doctor about managing your mineral levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary dietary cause is a high consumption of refined foods, such as white flour and simple sugars. The refining process removes chromium from these foods, and high sugar intake further increases the mineral's excretion.

Yes, strenuous exercise can lead to increased chromium loss through urine. Athletes who train intensely may be at a higher risk of deficiency, especially if their diet is not adequately balanced.

Yes, older adults are at an increased risk. With age, the body's ability to absorb chromium from food becomes less efficient, making it harder to maintain adequate levels.

Medical conditions like diabetes and insulin resistance can both be exacerbated by and contribute to low chromium levels. Chromium assists insulin, so low levels impair glucose metabolism, and high insulin/glucose can increase chromium excretion.

Symptoms of a severe deficiency can include impaired glucose tolerance, weight loss, confusion, and impaired coordination. Many people with suboptimal levels may experience more subtle symptoms like sugar cravings or persistent fatigue.

Severe, overt chromium deficiency is rare in developed countries. However, marginal or suboptimal chromium intake is more common, particularly in those with poor dietary habits or specific risk factors.

Diagnosing chromium deficiency can be difficult due to a lack of precise testing methods for body stores. Diagnosis often relies on clinical symptoms, identifying risk factors, and observing a patient's response to chromium supplementation.