Vanadium

Vanadium is a trace mineral and antioxidant about which little is known, and its essential nature for humans remains speculative. Recent research on vanadium has led to suppositions about its role in controlling blood sugar levels, preventing excess LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and its anticarcinogenic activity. In France it is recommended as a treatment for diabetes. Vanadium also aids in the formation of bones and teeth.

There is growing evidence of the importance of vanadium to plants, animals, and micro-organisms. In one study animals were fed a vanadium-deficient diet for three years. The deprived mothers produced less milk, and the general population suffered permanent bone deformities, impaired reproductive ability, and increased infant mortality. These defects were passed down to offspring, with third and fourth generation descendants showing reduced fertility. Deficiency symptoms have not yet been identified in humans.¹

Animal research has shown positive effects of optimum levels of vanadium (in the form of vanadyl sulfate). These include improved glucose tolerance, the inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, and improved mineralization of bones and teeth. Vanadyl sulfate is popular with body builders and diabetics because it may improve insulin action or mimic insulin, despite little clinical evidence to support its use for that purpose.

It is not recommended taking vanadium supplements in its vanadate form. Vanadate inhibits the sodium-potassium pump in cells. Lithium however does reduce this inhibition. Other animal studies have revealed toxic effects of excessive amounts of this mineral. These include increased blood pressure, a decrease in coenzyme A and Q10, stimulation of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors, and interference with cellular energy production. These studies were conducted with vanadate, not vanadyl, and humans appear to tolerate vanadium better than most species. Very high levels of vanadium have been discovered in hair samples of manic depressives. Researchers found when vanadium levels are normalized, these patients recover.²

1 French R, Jones P: Role of vanadium in nutrition: Metabolism, essentiality and dietary considerations. Life Sci 1993;52:339-346; and Uthus E, Nielsen: Effect of vanadium, iodine and their interaction on growth, blood variables, liver trace elements and thyroid status indices in rats. Mag Tr El 1990;9:219-226.

2 Harland BF and Harden-Williams BA, Is vanadium of human nutritional importance yet? J Am Diet Assoc 94, 891-894, 1994.

• Beets
• Black pepper
• Buckwheat
• Carrots
• Dill
• Eggs
• Fish
• Milk
• Mushrooms
• Oats
• Olive oil
• Parsley
• Safflower oil
• Soybeans
• Sunflower oil
• Whole wheat

Available as:

• Capsules: Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.
• Vanadyl, vanadate, and vanadyl sulfate (most popular nutritional supplement)¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

PROVEN BENEFITS:

• Plays role in metabolism of bones and teeth.

What this mineral does:

• Unknown in humans, but believed to be essential.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS:

• Aids in preventing heart attacks by lowering cholesterol levels.
• Thought to play a role in hormone, cholesterol, and blood sugar metabolism.

Miscellaneous information:

• Even the most nutritionally inadequate diet contains sufficient quantities to prevent deficiency.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

• No recorded deficiency states.

Miscellaneous information:

• Even the most nutritionally inadequate diet contains sufficient quantities to prevent deficiency.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

• Heart disease
• Increased triglyceride levels
• Deterioration of growth
• Deterioration of bone and teeth mineralization
• Decreased cancer resistance
• Liver deterioration¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

• May lead to increased cholesterol
• May cause impaired blood sugar balance similar to diabetes or hypoglycemia.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

 

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

• None available, except for experimental purposes.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

Optimal Levels

• Up to 200 mcg.

Minimum Dosage

• No RDA has been established. Estimated requirements for adults are 0.1 to 0.3mg/day. (Estimated daily intake in America is 10-60 mcg.)
• Doses between 15-100mg may be toxic and are not recommended.

Don't take if you:

• No known contraindications.

Consult your doctor if you have:

• No known contraindications.

Over age 55:

• No known contraindications.

Pregnancy:

• No known contraindications.
• Don't take megadoses.

Breast feeding:

• Breast-feeding:
• No known contraindications.
• Don't take megadoses.

Effect on lab tests:

• None expected.

Storage:

Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't freeze.

Store safely out of reach of children.

Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of mineral.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

Signs and symptoms:

• Anemia
• Green tongue
• Confusion Inflammation of lung
• Inflammation of eyes
• Cataract development
• Growth retardation
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Death.
• Vanadium reaches a toxic level at 10-20mg per day.

What to do:

• For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor.
• For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Call emergency services, the telephone operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

See OVERDOSE/TOXICITY¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

• Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental vanadium.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

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