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minerals (nutrition)
germanium (Ge)
Nutrition

definition

Germanium:

» overview:

The total amount of germanium in the body is about 20mg.

It is mainly concentrated in the thyroid gland. It has been found to be associated with T3 and T4 bound in the plasma.

» metabolism:

The absorption rate seems to be excellent.

Most excretion takes place in the urine.

» function:

Germanium may be involved with thyroid hormone functioning, especially in relation to immunity.

» requirements:

ESADDI: probably about 500 µg per day

Average intake in the U.S.: ?/day

» food sources:

Wheat bran, vegetables and leguminous seeds.

» deficiency:

In rats a germanium deficiency may cause altered bone and liver mineral composition and decreased tibial DNA.

» therapeutics:

Germanium may have some immune stimulating properties.

In addition it may reverse changes in rats caused by a silicon deficiency.

Some organic germanium compounds have antitumor activity.

(Sato, I., Yuan, B.D., et al. J Biol Response Mod 4; 159-68, 1985; Suzuki, F., Brutkiewicz, R.R., et al. Anticancer Res 6:177-82, 1986; Jacobs, M.M., and Griffin, A.C. Zedeck, M.S., Lipkin, M. eds.)

» toxicity:

More than a few mg/day may result loose stools and skin irritations.

There have been several reports concerning kidney failure in patients taking large doses of contaminated germanium.

footnotes

Jacobs, M.M., and Griffin, A.C. Inhibition of tumor induction and development. Zedeck, M.S., Lipkin, M. eds. NewYork: Plenum, 1981.

Marz, Russell. Medical Nutrition From Marz. Second Edition. Portland, OR. 1997.

Sato, I., Yuan, B.D., et al. Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis in association with modification of immune response by novel organic germanium compounds. J Biol Response Mod. 4; 159-68, 1985.

Suzuki, F., Brutkiewicz, R.R., et al. Cooperation of lymphokines and macrophages in expression of antitumor activity of carboyethlgermanium sesquioxide. Anticancer Res. 6:177-82, 1986.