Vanadium : a necessary element for the body

Vanadium is a trace element that allows the proper functioning of certain enzymes in the body. It must be brought in minimal quantities to fulfill its functions. Vanadium deficiency is extremely rare and a varied and balanced diet is more than enough to meet the needs. There are still very few scientific studies on vanadium, but this element, whose assets we are discovering little by little, may well receive more and more attention in the years to come.

Principal roles of vanadium in the body:

Increases Insulin Sensitivity and Fights Type 2 Diabetes
Intervenes in many enzymatic reactions
Intervenes in the metabolism of iron
Inhibits cholesterol synthesis
Participates in the good mineralization of bones and teeth
Helps treat certain eating disorders

Why consume foods rich in vanadium

Benefits of vanadium

Vanadium is a trace element, so it is essential for the maintenance of good health of the body, but the scientific literature does not report nutritional recommendations for the daily intake of vanadium.

Treatment of diabetes

Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of vanadium in treating diabetes and glucose intolerance. Indeed, thanks to its insulin-sensitizing properties vanadium increases the effectiveness of insulin and thus to curb hyperinsulinism.

Vanadium and iron metabolism

Vanadium is involved in many enzymatic reactions of the body, however, there are few scientific references to this. We begin to discover its interventions in different metabolisms and especially in iron.

Regulating cholesterol levels

Vanadium would also have a regulating effect on blood cholesterol levels. It inhibits cholesterol synthesis and helps maintain cholesterol levels at normal levels.

Vanadium, bones and teeth

Vanadium is an essential element for the good mineralization of bones and teeth.

Foods rich in vanadium

Food contains only very low levels of vanadium. Although the food composition table does not detail the precise levels of vanadium, the foods listed below contain the most foods.

Black pepper
Mushrooms
Seafood
Persil
Spinach
Potato
Tuna
Liver
Dill
Olive oil
Soy
Legumes

How to use vanadium well

Use of vanadium in homeopathy and as a food supplement

Vanadium metallicum 7CH is a homeopathic medicine generally used to treat eating disorders and especially anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The dosage is to be defined with your doctor, it varies from one situation to another.

To treat hypercholesterolemia or insulin resistance, vanadium can be taken as a dietary supplement. The dosage varies here also according to the context and individual tolerance.

Undesirable effects of vanadium

Vanadium deficiency

Vanadium deficiency is extremely rare because it is a trace element supplied in sufficient quantity in a balanced diet. In very rare cases of deficiency, there are disorders of fertility and renal. Some other disorders may also be related to a lack of vanadium intake: disorders of the thyroid, growth disorders, bone problems and increased serum cholesterol levels.

Excess of vanadium

Prolonged exposure to vanadium can cause respiratory problems such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Interactions of vanadium with other elements

In case of treatment with anticoagulants and before taking vanadium homeopathy or supplement, it is best to seek the advice of your doctor. Vanadium is an element that can, indeed, interact with this type of treatment.

Chromium, vanadium and diabetes treatment

To fight against diabetes, chromium and vanadium, seems to operate an interesting synergy. However, scientific studies are still ongoing on this subject. It is already known that the two elements administered alone have a positive effect on insulin sensitivity.

Vanadium in the Periodic Table

Vanadium is the chemical element of symbol V and has the atomic number 23. Its density is 6 and its atomic mass is 50.9.

Vanadium dioxide and vanadium oxide

Vanadium dioxide (or vanadium oxide) consists of oxygen and vanadium. This is a very studied form of vanadium because of the reversible transition between metal and insulator that can be obtained depending on the exposure temperatures.

History of vanadium

Vanadium has, in a way, been discovered twice. In 1801, a Mexican mineralogist discovered it for the first time. At the time, it is believed that it is only impure chromium. Vanadium is then called panchromium and its study is abandoned.

It is in 1831 that a Swedish chemist will hand over this element and announce the discovery of vanadium as a new element.

Traces of vanadium have been found in buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. Well before his discovery in chemistry. This previous use of vanadium would be completely fortuitous and would come from the ashes of plants used to melt iron ingots.