Last update Jan. 17, 2026

Хром

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

A heavy metal that, in its trivalent oxidative states (3+, III: see list of synonyms), has great nutritional value as it acts as a trace element (oligoelement) that enhances the action of insulin and is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Meat, seafood, brewer's yeast, whole grains, nuts (especially walnuts), weight loss supplements and tobacco, among others, are very rich in chromium. (MedlinePlus 2019 WHO-OMS 2012, ATSDR 2012, IM-US panel 2001)

The recommended intake for breastfeeding mothers is 45 micrograms per day. (Ares Segura 2015, IM-US panel 2001)

The average concentration of chromium in breast milk varies greatly according to the different studies consulted: from 0.2 to 2 micrograms/L. (Olowoyo 2021, Samiee 2019, Sun 2013, Cinar 2011, Abdulrazzaq 2008, Yoshida 2008, IM-US panel 2001, Mohamedshah 1998, Anderson 1993, Kumpulainen 1992 and 1980, Casey 1985 and 1984). Even with very high levels in breast milk, the recommended daily dose of chromium in infants (10-40 micrograms) is not exceeded. (WHO 1989)

According to some authors, the chromium content in breast milk is independent of chromium intake in the diet and chromium levels in serum or urine. (Anderson 1993, Kumpulainen 1980)

With a varied and balanced diet, mineral supplements are not necessary. Excessive chromium intake can cause skin problems in infants. (Adachi 2007)

There is no increase in chromium concentrations in milk or problems in infants breastfed by mothers with hip prostheses containing chromium in their composition. (Oppermann 2015, Nelis 2013)

Not to be confused with hexavalent (6+) states such as chromic acid or chromium trioxide, which are used industrially and have irritating, toxic and carcinogenic effects.


See below the information of this related product:

  • Hexavalent Chromium( Cr 6, Cr VI) compounds (Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Group

Хром belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Хром in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. < 1 %
Molecular weight 52 - 418 daltons

References

  1. Olowoyo JO, Macheka LR, Mametja PM. Health Risk Assessments of Selected Trace Elements and Factors Associated with Their Levels in Human Breast Milk from Pretoria, South Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Sep 16;18(18). Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Samiee F, Vahidinia A, Taravati Javad M, Leili M. Exposure to heavy metals released to the environment through breastfeeding: A probabilistic risk estimation. Sci Total Environ. 2019 Feb 10;650(Pt 2):3075-3083. Abstract
  3. MedlinePlus. Fitoterapia y suplementos para bajar de peso. Información de salud para usted. 2019 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. MedlinePlus. Herbal remedies and supplements for weight loss. Trusted Health information for you 2019 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Ares Segura S, Arena Ansótegui J, Díaz-Gómez NM; en representación del Comité de Lactancia Materna de la Asociación Española de Pediatría. La importancia de la nutrición materna durante la lactancia, ¿necesitan las madres lactantes suplementos nutricionales? [The importance of maternal nutrition during breastfeeding: Do breastfeeding mothers need nutritional supplements?] An Pediatr (Barc). 2015 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Oppermann M, Borisch C, Schaefer C. Hip arthroplasty with high chromium and cobalt blood levels--Case report of a patient followed during pregnancy and lactation period. Reprod Toxicol. 2015 Abstract
  7. Sun Z, Yue B, Yang Z, Li X, Wu Y, Yin S. [Determination of 24 minerals in human milk by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with microwave digestion]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2013 Abstract
  8. Nelis R, de Waal Malefijt J, Gosens T. Breast milk metal ion levels in a young and active patient with a metal-on-metal hip prosthesis. J Arthroplasty. 2013 Abstract
  9. ATSDR. Chromium. Public Health Statement. 2012 Full text (in our servers)
  10. OMS. Grupo de estudio de la OMS sobre reglamentación de los productos de tabaco: informe sobre la base científica de la reglamentación de los productos de tabaco: cuarto informe de un grupo de estudio de la OMS. Informe técnico. 2012 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. WHO. WHO study group on tobacco product regulation : report on the scientifi c basis of tobacco product regulation: fourth report of a WHO study group. Technical report. 2012 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  12. ATSDR. Cromo. Resumen de Salud Pública. 2012 Full text (in our servers)
  13. Cinar N, Ozdemir S, Yucel O, Ucar F. In which regions is breast-feeding safer from the impact of toxic elements from the environment? Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2011 Nov;11(4):234-9. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  14. Yoshida M, Takada A, Hirose J, Endô M, Fukuwatari T, Shibata K. Molybdenum and chromium concentrations in breast milk from Japanese women. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2008 Abstract
  15. Abdulrazzaq YM, Osman N, Nagelkerke N, Kosanovic M, Adem A. Trace element composition of plasma and breast milk of well-nourished women. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2008 Abstract
  16. Adachi A, Horikawa T. [Pompholyx of the infant possibly induced by systemic metal allergy to chromium in mother's milk]. Arerugi. 2007 Abstract
  17. Wappelhorst O, Kühn I, Heidenreich H, Markert B. Transfer of selected elements from food into human milk. Nutrition. 2002 Abstract
  18. Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  19. Mohamedshah FY, Moser-Veillon PB, Yamini S, Douglass LW, Anderson RA, Veillon C. Distribution of a stable isotope of chromium (53Cr) in serum, urine, and breast milk in lactating women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998 Abstract
  20. Anderson RA, Bryden NA, Patterson KY, Veillon C, Andon MB, Moser-Veillon PB. Breast milk chromium and its association with chromium intake, chromium excretion, and serum chromium. Am J Clin Nutr. 1993 Abstract
  21. Kumpulainen JT. Chromium content of foods and diets. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1992 Abstract
  22. IARC - WHO. International Agency for research on Cancer. Chromium, Nickel and Welding. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Volume 49. 1990 Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  23. Anderson RA. Essentiality of chromium in humans. Sci Total Environ. 1989 Abstract
  24. World Health Organization & International Atomic Energy Agency. Minor and trace elements in breast milk : report of a joint WHO/IAEA collaborative study. - 1989 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  25. Casey CE, Hambidge KM, Neville MC. Studies in human lactation: zinc, copper, manganese and chromium in human milk in the first month of lactation. Am J Clin Nutr. 1985 Abstract
  26. Casey CE, Hambidge KM. Chromium in human milk from American mothers. Br J Nutr. 1984 Abstract
  27. Kumpulainen J, Vuori E. Longitudinal study of chromium in human milk. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 Abstract
  28. Kumpulainen J, Vuori E, Mäkinen S, Kara R. Dietary chromium intake of lactating Finnish mothers: effect on the Cr content of their breast milk. Br J Nutr. 1980 Abstract

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