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MINERALS OVERVIEW
Vanadium is an essential trace mineral. It is present in varying amounts in the soil and in many foods. It can also be inhaled from the air as a result of burning petroleum or petroleum products. At the end of the last century, vanadium was thought to be a cure for various diseases, but it turned out to be toxic at the high doses prescribed.
Vanadium is needed for cellular metabolism and for the formation of bones and teeth. It plays a role in growth and reproduction, and inhibits cholesterol synthesis. Vanadium has been shown to have the ability to improve insulin utilization, resulting in improved glucose tolerance.
A vanadium deficiency may result in high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, poor blood sugar control (for example, diabetes or hypoglycemia) and may be linked to cardiovascular and kidney disease, impaired reproductive ability, and increased infant mortality. Vanadium is not easily absorbed. Athletes may require more of this trace mineral than non-athletes. However, the effects of vanadium deficiency in humans have not been studied.
SOURCES
Vanadium is found in dill, fish (seafood), olives, meat, radishes, snap beans, vegetable oils (sunflower, safflower, corn, and olive oils), and whole grains (buckwheat, oats). Other sources are some cereals, mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, pepper, and parsley. Only about 5 percent of vanadium is absorbed by the body; most of it is eliminated in the feces. Vanadium supplementation is rarely, if ever, necessary. Eating any of the above foods, particularly vegetable oils, will provide a sufficient amount of vanadium. Some experts do not recommend taking vanadium supplements until more is known about how this mineral affects the human body.
SUPPLEMENT DOSAGE
There is no current recommended daily allowance for vanadium, but a normal typical diet usually provides about 10-30 mcg of vanadium per day. This appears to be adequate for most healthy adults.
Vanadium exists in several forms, including vanadyl and vanadate. Vanadyl sulfate is most commonly found in nutritional supplements. Vanadyl sulfate is thought to mimic the physiological effects of insulin by a mechanism which remains unclear. Through this insulin-mimetic effect, vanadium is thought to promote glycogen synthesis, maintain blood glucose levels and stimulate muscle anabolism. Because of its toxicity, some experts believe that vanadium should be considered a drug and not a nutritional supplement.
COMMENTS
There may be an interaction between vanadium and chromium. If you take supplemental chromium and vanadium, take them at different times. Tobacco use decreases the uptake of vanadium.
VANADIUM MAY BE USEFUL FOR THESE CONDITIONS
Blood Sugar Control: Claims are made that vanadium lowers blood sugar by mimic-insulin action and increases glycogen synthesis and storage. Vanadyl sulfate supplements have been shown to normalize blood glucose levels and reduce glycosylated hemoglobin levels in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Also in NIDDM patients, vanadium sulfate (100 mg per day - a HUGE dose) can reduce fasting glucose levels by about 20% and decrease hepatic insulin resistance. Normal (non-diabetic) subjects typically do not exhibit a significant change in glucose uptake or lipolysis. Vanadium improves blood sugar control in experimental animals with Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus; however, no human studies have been conducted to support these findings.
Bone & Teeth Health: High doses of vanadium improve the strength of bones and teeth in experimental animals.
Muscle Mass: Claims are made that vanadium increases muscle mass and increases muscle vascularity and blood flow (the pumped up feeling body builders have). Vanadyl sulfate may acutely stimulate amino acid transport into skeletal muscle. Studies of vanadyl sulfate for weight loss and exercise performance have been variable, with most showing only modest (if any) effects on body composition. Although vanadium has become a popular dietary supplement among bodybuilders, there is limited data to support claims of increased muscle mass and strength. Studies have not been able to determine definitively any performance-enhancing effects of vanadium (for example, in body building).
Reducing Cholesterol: Vanadium may reduce cholesterol in experimental animals.
Heart Disease: Heart disease rates are low in areas of the world (for example, South America) where soils contain high levels of vanadium. No cause and effect relationship has been demonstrated, however.
DOSAGE INFORMATION
PEDIATRIC
There are no reports to date about use of vanadium supplements in children. Therefore, use in children is not recommended at this time.
ADULT
Taking 50 to 100 mcg/day of vanadium is enough to meet or exceed nutritional requirements, without risking toxicity. Some manufacturers promote high dosages (15 to 100 mg) of vanadyl sulfate per day, but clinical data do not warrant such dosages at this time. Because deficiency states have not been described and nontoxic therapeutic dosages have not been determined, caution should be exercised when using vanadium as a nutritional supplement.
CAUTIONS
Vanadium is an essential trace mineral that is NOT contained in many multi-vitamin/mineral supplements. It is thought, however, that we obtain enough vanadium from our diets. For those individuals concerned with maintaining blood glucose levels - such as diabetics or people with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), a vanadium supplement may be beneficial. Some bodybuilding and diabetic dietary supplements contain vanadium at milligram levels - when dietary needs are likely to be only in microgram amounts (1000 times lower). Prolonged consumption of high dose vanadium supplements is not recommended.
Animal studies have not proven the efficacy or safety of vanadium in humans. Limited information is available about vanadium toxicity. Traditionally, vanadium is considered quite safe in humans (because of its poor absorption).
Extremely high doses of inhaled vanadium (for example, in workers who clean petroleum storage tanks) irritate the lungs and turn the tongue green, but neither symptom causes any long-term or serious problems.
High levels of vanadium may cause manic-depression. Some studies have suggested that patients with manic depression have elevated blood and tissue levels of vanadium.
High levels of vanadium may contribute to some bone and kidney diseases.
In one safety study, 100 mg of vanadyl sulfate (a HUGE dose) was given to NIDDM subjects for 4 weeks (50 mg twice per day). Gastrointestinal side effects were experienced by 75% of the subjects during the first week, but the supplements were well tolerated after that. The authors of the study concluded that vanadyl sulfate was "well tolerated" and resulted in modest reductions of fasting plasma glucose - but they cautioned that the safety of larger doses and use of vanadium supplements for longer periods remained uncertain. It is thought that prolonged exposure to excessive vanadium could cause muscle cramps, emotional depression, and damage to the nervous system and other organs. Some animal studies have suggested the possibility of hematological and biochemical changes, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and pro-oxidative effects on glutathione, ascorbic acid, lipids and NADPH following prolonged vanadium feeding.
POSSIBLE INTERACTIONS
In experiments, vanadium increased the effects of heparin, a medication used to prevent blood clotting. Therefore, it would be wise to refrain from taking vanadium supplements while on heparin therapy.
SUPPORTING RESEARCH
Balch JF, Balch PA. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing; 1997:29.
Bender DA, Bender AE. Nutrition: A Reference Handbook. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997:424.
Funakoshi T, Shimada H, Kojima S, et al. Anticoagulant action of vanadate. Chem Pharm Bull. 1992;40(1):174-176.
Murray MT. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, Calif: Prima Publishing; 1996:232-234.
Murray MT, Pizzorno JE. Enclyclopedia of Natural Medicine. 2nd ed. Rocklin, Calif: Prima Publishing; 1998:283-284.
Shealy CN. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies. Boston, Mass: Element Books; 1998:268.
Role of vanadium as a mimic of insulin. Nutri Res Newslett. 1998;17:11.
Werbach MR. Nutritional Influences on Illness. New Canaan, Conn: Keats Publishing; 1987:87-88, 159.
Yale J-F, Lachance D, Bevan AP. Hypoglycemic effects of peroxovanadium compounds in Sprague-Dawley and diabetic BB rats. Diabetes. 1995;44:1274-1276.
VANADIUM SUPPLEMENTS & PRODUCTS
Vanadium Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 100 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.
WaterOz Ionic Vanadium is a pure liquid Vanadium supplement. Vanadium regulates the circulatory system, helps reduce cholesterol levels and buildup in the central nervous system, lowers elevated blood sugar and is believed to help reduce the incidence of heart attack.
True Balance, NOW Foods, 120 Caps
True Balance provides a full compliment of essential nutrients like Chromium and Vanadium, important minerals that support energy production and cellular metabolism, and a full array of key B-complex vitamins that support a healthy mood state.
Trace Minerals With ConcenTrace, NOW Foods, 800 mg, 120 Caps
NOW® Trace Minerals with ConcenTrace® is concentrated from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. This product is dehydrated with alfalfa to produce a full spectrum, balanced trace mineral supplement.
Multi-Vitamin & Multi-Mineral For Diabetes, Iron Free, All Natural, Nature's Way, Vegetarian, Completia Diabetic Vitamin Formula, 90 Tabs
Twice daily multivitamin formula for diabetics, with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Fenugreek and GTF Chromium for daily support.
Full Spectrum Mineral, Vegetarian, NOW Foods, 250 Tabs
NOW Full Spectrum Mineral Supplement is a comprehensive combinations of the most important dietary minerals used by your body.
Multi-Vitamin Without Iron, Nature's Way, 100 Capsules
The vitamins and minerals in this Multi Vitamin without Iron play many important roles in the body: antioxidants to protect fats, cells and DNA, coenzyme precursors for energy production and metabolism, and cofactors for hormones and enzymes which regulate body processes.
Multi-Vitamin With Iron, Nature's Way, 100 Caps
This multivitamin with Iron contains vitamins and minerals important for proper body function in quality forms and safe doses.
Multi-Mineral Optimum Complex, Nature's Way, 100 Caps
Nature's Way Multi Mineral Optimum Complex offers a complete carefully dosed blend of minerals vital to the body. This multi Mineral Optimum Complex provides nutritional support for normal bone development, muscle function, reproduction and metabolism.
FOR MORE PRODUCTS & INFORMATION CLICK ON THESE LINKS:
HerbalRemedies: Vanadium Supplements & Products
HerbalRemedies: Vanadium Information
MoonDragon's Health Information: Nutrition Basics - Minerals Index
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Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition
Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders
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The Complete Guide to Natural Healing
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