⛔
Regulatory ban. This ingredient is banned or restricted in one or more countries. See Regulatory Status below.
SAFE
Chromium polynicotinate
Niacin-bound chromium (ChromeMate)
Possibly Safe
V2 Verified
Minerals & Trace Elements
PubMed Studies
3
About
Nicotinic acid-bound trivalent chromium. Used for glucose metabolism. Less genotoxicity concern than picolinate. Some brands use biologically active GTF-chromium form.
How it works (mechanism of action)
Acts on cellular signalling pathways relevant to the documented clinical indications. Contains bioactive compounds with enzyme-modulating, receptor-binding, or antioxidant properties studied in peer-reviewed literature.
⚖️ Regulatory Status
⛔
CH — Banned
Swissmedic banned kava in Switzerland due to hepatotoxicity.
⛔
DE — Banned
BfArM banned kava-containing products in Germany in 2002 due to hepatotoxicity risk. Cases of liver failure and death reported.
⚠️
CN — Restricted
NMPA China — berberine (berberine hydrochloride) registered as pharmaceutical (OTC drug) for specific indications. Not permitted as general health food ingredient at pharmaceutical doses.
⚠️
EU — Restricted
EFSA (2010) — genotoxicity concerns. Maximum dose levels apply. Several EU member states have restricted high-dose products.
⚠️
FR — Restricted
ANSES (2013) — maximum dose restrictions following EFSA genotoxicity concerns.
⚠️
IT — Restricted
Italian Ministry of Health — berberine supplements restricted to max 10mg/day without medical supervision.
⚠️
JP — Restricted
MHLW Japan — NMN in regulatory review. Products sold but under scrutiny. Companies required to notify MHLW. Functional claims require approval.
⚠️
US — Restricted
FDA guidance (2022) — NMN excluded from dietary supplement definition under 21 USC 321(ff)(3)(B) as it was investigated as a new drug (Metro International Biotech) before being marketed as a supplement.
💊
AU — Prescription only
DHEA is scheduled as a prescription-only medicine in Australia (Schedule 4).
💊
CA — Prescription only
DHEA is a controlled substance in Canada, available by prescription only.
👥 Safety by Population
🚫 Contraindications & Warnings
Better tolerability and potentially lower genotoxicity than chromium picolinate. Same blood glucose monitoring with diabetes medications. Generally safe at typical doses (200-400mcg/day Cr).
🏷️ Other Names
Niacin-bound chromium (ChromeMate)