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minerals (nutrition)
vanadium (V)
Nutrition
definition
Vanadium:
» overview:
Vanadium is named after the Scandinavian goddess of beauty, youth, and luster.
It was established as an essential mineral after studies on 2 different species.
» metabolism:
Very little is known, but absorption may be very low, around 1% of the total ingested.
It concentrates in the dentin of teeth and also in the bone. It appears to be involved with bone mineralization by promoting osteoblastic activity.
After being absorbed from the GI tract it becomes bound to transferrin in the blood.
80-90% of vanadium is lost from the body via the urine.
It appears as though vanadyl or vanadate may be the most biologically active forms.
» function:
Glucose, cholesterol and bone metabolism may require vanadium.
Vanadium may act independently from insulin in lowering glucose levels.
It has also been found to suppress cholesterol synthesis in the liver of younger humans who have high cholesterol levels. Trials in adults with higher cholesterol failed to reduce levels.
Some studies have shown promise in vanadiums effect at decreasing dental carries by enhancing the integrity of tooth enamel. In addition it may have effects on the thyroid.
» requirements:
Estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake (ESADDI): 100-300 mcg per day
Average intake in the U.S.: 10-60 mcg per day.
» food sources:
The best sources of vanadium occur in certain spices such as dill seeds, parsley, black pepper, mushrooms, and shellfish. Grains have fairly high levels with lesser amounts in meat, fish and poultry.
Best Food Sources of Vanadium:
Food Amount mg.
Buckwheat groats 1 cup 100
Corn, whole 1 cup 30
Oats, raw 1 cup 28
Safflower oil 1 Tbsp 9
Tomato 1 med 8
Parsley 10 sprigs 8
Carrot 1 med 7
Sunflower oil 1 Tbsp 6
Olive oil 1 Tbsp 4
Wheat, whole 1 cup 4
Sunflower seeds 1 oz 4
Apples 1 med 4
Peanut oil 1 Tbsp 2
(USDA: Composition of Foods. USDA handbook # 8. Washington DC, ARS, USDA, 1976-1986)
» deficiency:
The average intake in the U.S. is variable, but can be quite low.
Very little is known about the possible effects of vanadium deficiencies.
» therapeutics:
Diabetes mellitus: Vanadium may enhance glucose tolerance since it shows an insulin-like activity, especially on adiposites. It has been shown in some studies to actually decrease insulin requirements and may even have effect without insulin present. High doses of vanadate sulfate may be necessary for this effect.
(Cohen, N, et al. Diabetes 45(5):659-66, 1996; Cohen, N., et al. J Clin Invest 95(6):2501-9, 1995)
» toxicity:
Little is known. 12 human subjects were fed 13.5 mg daily for 2 wks followed by 22.5 mg daily for 5 months. 5 patients experienced cramps and diarrhea at the high dose level. In patients with NIDDM no side effects were noted at doses of 100 mg per day.
Excessive vanadium may trigger mania as patients with mania have been found to have high levels in hair samples.
Both iron and vitamin C can reduce vanadium toxicity in animal studies.
High dose vanadium may deplete vitamin C.
» interactions:
Lithium
High dose vanadium may deplete Vitamin C.
footnotes
Cohen, N., et al. Oral vanadly sulfate improves insulin sensitivity in NIDDM but not in obese nondiabetic subjects. Diabetes 45(5):659-66, 1996
Abstract: 100mg/day of oral vandyl sulfate was used in moderately obese NIDDM and nondiabetic subjects. Both fasting plasma glucose and HgbA1c were reduced in the NIDDM subjects but not in the non diabetic group.
Cohen, N., et al. Oral vanadyl sulfate improves epatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus. J Clin Invest 95(6):2501-9, 1995.
Abstract: 6 NIDDM patients were treated with placebo or vandyl sulfate 100mg/day for 3 wks. Fasting plasma glucose average was 210mg/dl and HgbA1c 9.6 and improve after treatment to 181mg/dl and 8.8. The effects continued for 2 wks after the treatment was discontinued.
Marz, Russell. Medical Nutrition From Marz. Second Edition. Portland, OR. 1997.
USDA: Composition of Foods. USDA Handbook #8. Washington DC, ARS, USDA, 1976-1986.