Vanadium is an ultra-trace mineral found in the human diet and the human body. It is
essential for some animals. Deficiency symptoms in these animals include growth retardation,
bone deformities, and infertility. However, vanadium has not been proven to be an essential
mineral for humans.
Where is it found?
Vanadium is found in very small amounts in a wide variety of foods, including seafood,
cereals, mushrooms, parsley, corn,
soy, and gelatin.
Vanadium has been used in
connection with the following condition
Who is likely to be deficient?
Deficiencies of vanadium have not been reported in humans, and it is not known whether this
mineral is essential for humans.
How much is usually taken?
As yet, research indicates that most people would not benefit from vanadium
supplementation. Optimal intake of vanadium is unknown. If vanadium turns out to be essential
for humans, the estimated requirement would probably be less than 10 mcg per day. An average
diet provides 15–30 mcg per day.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Information about vanadium toxicity is limited. Workers exposed to vanadium dust can
develop toxic effects. High blood levels have been linked to manic-depressive mental disorders, but the meaning of
this remains uncertain.1 Vanadium sometimes inhibits, but at other times
stimulates, cancer growth in animals. However,
the effect in humans remains unknown.2
Vanadium is not known to interact with other nutrients.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with vanadium.
References:1. Naylor GJ. Vanadium and manic depressive psychosis. Nutr
Health 1984;3:79–85 [review].
2. Chakraborty A, Ghosh R, Roy K, et al. Vanadium: a modifier of drug
metabolizing enzyme patterns and its critical role in cellular proliferation in transplantable
murine lymphoma. Oncology 1995;52:310–4.