Henriksen & Bügel 2023 — Chromium scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023
This scoping review synthesizes the evidence on dietary chromium (CrIII and CrVI) as the basis for setting dietary reference values in the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023. Trivalent chromium (CrIII) is the principal form in foods and supplements; the review finds that food sources include fish, whole grain products, nuts, pulses, spices, and processed meats, with most foods containing less than 10 µg/100 g. Estimated adult dietary intakes in Europe are 57–84 µg/day (EFSA). The review concludes that no strong evidence justifies a dietary recommendation for chromium, given disputed essentiality and absence of documented deficiency in healthy humans. Hexavalent chromium (CrVI) is a carcinogen by inhalation (occupational exposure) and raises concern via contaminated drinking water, though human oral-exposure data are limited.
Key numbers
- CrIII in foods: most foods < 10 µg/100 g; good sources include fish, whole grain, nuts, pulses, spices, processed meats
- Estimated adult dietary intake (EFSA): 57–84 µg/day
- Swedish women (1998): 20–160 µg/day
- FDA Reference Daily Intake: 120 µg/day
- CrIII absorption: approximately 0.5% of dietary intake via passive diffusion
- Organic chromium compounds absorbed 2–16 times better than inorganic forms
- Chromium picolinate has higher bioavailability than chromium nicotinate
- Chromium in parenteral nutrition: concern about toxic levels in infants (renal effects)
- Parenteral nutrition CrIII supplements: 200 µg/day resolved apparent deficiency symptoms in historical case reports
EFSA did not set reference values for chromium; NNR 2012 had no chromium recommendation; NNR 2023 likewise found no basis for a recommendation.
Methods (brief)
Scoping review following NNR2023 protocol. PubMed literature search (MEDLINE): chromium[MeSH Terms] AND (“2011”[Date-Publication]:“3000”[Date-Publication]) AND review[Publication Type] AND Humans[Filter]; 14 March 2021. 146 publications screened; 58 further scrutinised; 28 judged relevant. Additional NNR2012 references included where relevant. Peer reviewed by independent experts; subject to public consultation.
Implications
Certification: CrVI is not the same as total Cr (tCr); this review is about CrIII dietary intake and essentiality. Food-matrix total Cr measurements should not be equated with CrVI toxicological risk. Relevant to the wiki’s Cr conventions: total Cr on ingredient pages, with CrVI evidence on the dedicated hexavalent chromium page.
Courses: Good framing piece on the CrIII vs CrVI distinction for quality and regulatory audiences; the review’s “essentiality disputed” conclusion is important context for chromium dietary recommendations.
App: CrIII in typical foods is not a primary contamination concern at ordinary dietary intakes; CrVI contamination via industrial sources and drinking water is the toxicologically relevant pathway.
Microbiome: Not addressed in this review.