Vanadium

Requirements:

• RDA: none
• Average Intake (in U.S.): 10 - 60 mcg./day

Supplement Forms:

• Found in vitamin/mineral supplements

Food Sources:

• Buckwheat groats
• Oats
• Corn
• Safflower oil
• Shellfish
• Mushrooms
• Tomato
• Carrot
• Spices: dill seeds, parsley, black pepper
• Olive oil

Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency:

• Very little is known about vanadium deficiency

Causes of Deficiency:

• Very little is known about vanadium deficiency

Adverse Reactions and Toxicity:

• Very little is known
• Extremely high doses (>25 mg./day):
  
  Cramps
  Diarrhea
  Mania patients have extremely high levels in hair samples

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• High doses of vanadium may deplete vitamin C

Biochemical Functions:

• Peroxide of vanadate activated insulin receptors in animal studies
• May be required for glucose, cholesterol and bone metabolism
• May effect the thyroid
• May effect the dentin of teeth, since it is concentrated there
• Suppresses cholesterol synthesis in young humans' livers

Clinical Indications:

• Atherosclerosis
• Diabetes mellitus

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).