Chromium & Depression (2003)
This study investigated chromium & depression. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study of 15 subjects, chromium picolinate was observed to improved the moods of 70% of those taking chromium compared with 0% on placebo. Two hypothesised mechanisms of actions with relation to the observed results include 5HT2A downregulation and increased insulin sensitivity. However, due to the small sample number further studies are warranted including a greater number of participants to explore this area further.
Davidson et al., ’Effectiveness of chromium in atypical depression: a placebo-controlled trial’, Biol Psychiatry, 53(3):261-4, 2003