Vanadium

What does it do? Vanadium is an ultra-trace mineral found in the human diet and the human body. It is essential for some animals. Deficiency symptoms in these animals include growth retardation, bone deformities, and infertility. However, vanadium has not been proven to be an essential mineral for humans. Vanadium may play a role in building bones and teeth.

Vanadyl sulfate, a form of this mineral, may improve glucose control in people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, according to a study of eight people with diabetes who supplemented with 100 mg of the mineral daily for four weeks.1 However, the researchers of this study caution that the long-term safety of such large amounts of vanadium remains unknown. Many doctors expect future research to show that amounts this high will likely prove to be unsafe. Moreover, in a preliminary report, vanadium did not help people with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.2

Where is it found? Vanadium is found in very small amounts in a wide variety of foods, including seafood, cereals, mushrooms, parsley, corn, soy, and gelatin.

Vanadium has been used in connection with the following condition

Rating Health Concerns
1Star Diabetes
3Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1Star An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Who is likely to be deficient? Deficiencies of vanadium have not been reported in humans, and it is not known whether this mineral is essential for humans.

How much is usually taken? As yet, research indicates that most people would not benefit from vanadium supplementation. Optimal intake of vanadium is unknown. If vanadium turns out to be essential for humans, the estimated requirement would probably be less than 10 mcg per day. An average diet provides 15–30 mcg per day.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Information about vanadium toxicity is limited. Workers exposed to vanadium dust can develop toxic effects. High blood levels have been linked to manic-depressive mental disorders, but the meaning of this remains uncertain.3 Vanadium sometimes inhibits, but at other times stimulates, cancer growth in animals. However, the effect in humans remains unknown.4

Vanadium is not known to interact with other nutrients.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with vanadium.

References:

1. Boden G, Chen X, Ruiz J, et al. Effects of vanadyl sulfate on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Metabolism 1996;45:1130–5.

2. Aharon Y, Mevorach M, Shamoon H. Vanadyl sulfate does not enhance insulin action in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 1998;21:2194 [letter].

3. Naylor GJ. Vanadium and manic depressive psychosis. Nutr Health 1984;3:79–85 [review].

4. Chakraborty A, Ghosh R, Roy K, et al. Vanadium: a modifier of drug metabolizing enzyme patterns and its critical role in cellular proliferation in transplantable murine lymphoma. Oncology 1995;52:310–4.