Vanadium - Benefits, Food Sources, Deficiency

Vanadium is widely found in nature in the form of minerals, as well as in living matter, such as the human body. In living matter, vanadium is found mainly as the tetravalent vanadyl cation and the pentavalent vanadate form.

Vanadium is a trace mineral that is needed by the human body in small amounts. It is commonly found in vegetables and seafood. The presence of vanadium in the brain inhibits cholesterol from forming in the blood vessels. Vanadium is active in many chemical reactions that take place in the body

Vanadium plays a role in cellular metabolism, the formation of bones and teeth, reproduction, and growth. It also inhibits cholesterol synthesis. Vanadium may help maintain healthy glucose and lipid metabolism.

Vanadium inhibits cholesterol formation in the blood vessels. It is believed to be involved in energy production, a cofactor of enzymes to accelerate chemical reactions in the body, participation in blood sugar and fat metabolism, and in helping build bones and teeth.

The absorption of dietary vanadium and supplemental vanadium (usually vanadyl sulfate) is poor, and most ingested vanadium is excreted in the feces. It is estimated that less than 5% of dietary vanadium is absorbed.

Most ingested vanadium appears to be converted to tetravalent vanadyl in the stomach. Any absorbed vanadate is converted to cationic vanadyl in the blood. The vanadyl cation complexes with transferrin and ferritin in plasma and other body fluids.

Vanadium is removed from the plasma and is found in highest amounts in the kidney, liver, testes, bone and spleen. Absorbed vanadium is mainly excreted in the urine in both high- and low-molecular weight complexes. Some absorbed vanadium may be excreted via the bile.

Both experimental and clinical trials indicate that vanadium has significant insulin-mimetic properties in pharmacological doses. In vitro, vanadium salts have most of the major effects of insulin itself on insulin-sensitive tissues. Favorable results are seen, as well, in animal models of insulin deficiency, where vanadium significantly reduces blood glucose levels, and in insulin-resistant diabetic animals, where vanadium improves glucose homeostasis.

Chromium, ferrous ion, chloride, aluminum hydroxide and EDTA may decrease absorption of vanadium.

The doses of supplemental vanadium that may affect blood glucose levels are potentially toxic, and supplemental vanadium is not recommended for the management of diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia or insulin resistance.

Sources of vanadium

Some important sources of vanadium are Black pepper, shellfish, mushrooms, dill seed, parsley, soy, corn, olives, olive oil, and gelatin.

Benefits of vanadium

It helps in preventing heart attacks due to inhibition of the formation of cholesterol.

It also assists with many other chemical reactions and processes in the body for good health.

Research on vanadium has focused on its role in improving or mimicking insulin action. Supplementation has demonstrated improvements in glucose tolerance, inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, and improved mineralisation of bones and teeth.

Deficiency symptoms of vanadium

No known deficiency symptoms. Those with diabetes or hyperglycemia are cautioned not to use supplemental vanadium to manage their diabetes or hyperglycemia. Those with hypoglycemia should avoid using vanadium supplements.

Symptoms of high intake

There is not a lot of evidence on vanadium's toxicity although it's known to be highly toxic, and symptoms may include stunted growth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, even death.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and green tongue are some other symptoms of high intake of vanadium.

Daily requirement

There is no established RDA for vanadium. General recommendations are 20-30 mcg per day.

Vanadium, usually as the tetravalent vanadyl sulfate, is available in some vitamin and mineral preparations.

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Comments

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#1 - polly - 02/14/2008 - 15:46

Dear Originator,
Thank you for the background to your research
As a Medical Intuitive I have surprised myself by finding that quite a number of Americans require the Strace-mineral, Vanadium
Has anyone else discovered the same, and what foods are available containing Vanadium. ?
Thanks for the response. Geoffrey

#2 - Geoffrey C. Morell - 04/24/2009 - 13:03

Thank you so much this was so helpful to me in my study

#3 - princess - 06/10/2009 - 07:58

dat waz da bst and summerizd information i needd
thanks author

#4 - bibo - 06/10/2009 - 17:20

I find it curious that studies show that it has a positive effect on blood sugar level reduction but yet you say not to use it. Please provide some scientific studies that show WHY it should not be used for diabetes. It doe not seem to make sense to say it works but don't use it.

#5 - judy - 11/22/2009 - 01:07

the use of vanadium can cause other more serius side effects if not taken properly. It as many other drugs hould be spoken to your doctor about before taken to know a personalized dosage level and a plan of attack if you will in case something does go wrong with taking it. Certain side effects include : upset stomach , liver failure, kidney failure, Gland malfunction, and poor eye sight. Like many other drugs the syptoms can be and might happen so just be carefull about how much you take. See a doctor first.

#6 - missy - 12/01/2009 - 00:26

thanks for helping me with my homework. Can you smoke it in a bong.

#7 - paoblo - 02/22/2010 - 10:22

LUKE MARSHANT IS GAY AND A FAGGOT

#8 - paoblo - 02/22/2010 - 10:31

I find it curious that vanadium has shown to have an effect on high blood glucose yet you caution not to use it for that benefit. Is this a scam that the insulin producers want us to believe so we continue to use insulin and pay for it? If it can help DM then why not use it?

#9 - Peggy - 02/23/2010 - 09:10