Sunday, January 3, 2010

Chromium and Vanadium for Diabetics


Vanadium is a curious trace element and somewhat difficult to write about. It is a little known trace mineral which seems to be required by the body in relatively tiny amounts, and it is not even clear that it is absolutely necessary at all. But there is nevertheless increasing excitement about its potential therapeutic value. Low blood levels of vanadium have been associated with increases in cholesterol and blood sugar, and it is also believed by some researchers that the mineral may play a role in maintaining the vital balance between sodium and potassium in cells. These characteristics of vanadium have led to speculation that it may act as a protector against heart disease, cancer and especially diabetes.

The idea that vanadium may be of benefit in the battle against diabetes is of relatively recent origin, the first animal research findings only coming to light in the 1980s. But it has been the cause of great excitement. Initial findings suggested that vanadium could control artificially induced diabetes in animals, but orthodox medical opinion remains cautious about the applicability of this research to humans. Some nutritional therapists and practitioners, however, have rushed to embrace vanadium's potential, insisting that high dose vanadium supplements can reduce levels of fasting blood sugar, as well as those of low density lipids (LDLs), the so-called "bad cholesterol" which is strongly associated with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Advocates of vanadium therapy also maintain that the mineral can reduce the need for extra insulin in both Type 1 and Type 2 (late onset) diabetes. The problem, however, is that it is difficult to obtain a high intake of vanadium from food alone, and that the mineral in supplement form appears to be relatively poorly absorbed by the body. Moreover, there is evidence that the very high doses required to obtain the therapeutic effects sought may bring unwelcome and potentially serious side effects in their wake; including kidney problems.

This is perhaps not so surprising when it is considered that whilst a fairly typical diet might provide perhaps 50 mcg of vanadium daily, the suggested supplementary doses may be as much as 100 mg; that is 2,000 times the normal daily intake. Whilst potentially beneficial, such doses represent a considerable shock to the system and it is therefore strongly recommended that they be undertaken only under qualified supervision.

Here we have more powerful proof that the trace elements provide a natural cure for diabetes - and many other diseases. In this article, chromium supplementation has been found to provide dramatic improvement - up to and including freedom from all symptoms - in diabetes. However, in another direction of research initiated by Prof. John McNeill at UBC, the trace element vanadium had been found to provide just as dramatic improvements (see "MIRACLE METAL" in "References").

This proves and underscores my assertion that not only one or two trace elements, but the complete natural range of the 72+ trace elements is needed for our naturally robust health. Of course, neither chromium nor vanadium are recognized by our modern agriculture, and are therefore either severely deficient or absent in agricultural soils, hence in all of their products, and hence again, in practically all of our daily food. And as asserted here in these pages, a daily serving of seafood is a natural source of the complete range of the 72+ trace elements, and will provide not only the same, but far, far better results than either chromium or vanadium alone.

The positive effects of vanadium at first appeared promising. Vanadium can improve sensitivity to insulin in both Type I and Type 2 diabetes. It has been shown in human studies to have some ability to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Areas of the world where vanadium (and selenium) levels are high in the soil have lower rates of heart disease. After oral intake, effects of the mineral are seen weeks to months later due to its accumulation in tissues like the kidneys and bone.

Vanadium has been shown to lower growth of human prostate cancer cells in tissue cultures, and to reduce bone cancer and liver cancer in animals. These widespread effects on cancer and diabetes, along with the protective effect seen with another trace mineral, selenium, on certain cancers, suggest that trace minerals are likely to come under more scrutiny for potential health benefits and toxicity.

Unfortunately, vanadium's effects are not all positive. Vanadium works by blocking dozens of enzymes, including ribonucleases, mutases, kinases, and synthases. This indiscriminate blocking action has the potential to be both positive and negative.

Dr. Alavattam Sreedhara originally at Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India, and now at Ohio State University has been doing research on vanadium1,2,3 for several years. He and fellow researchers have discovered several disturbing effects form vanadium, including damage to DNA, blocking of protein synthesis, as well as oxidation of lipids, which is considered a primary step in the development of cardiovascular disease.

But as ever, all of these minerals of course work at optimal effectiveness in the presence of adequate amounts of all the nutrients required by the body; and are best taken as part of a comprehensive multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement regime.

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