Vanadium - A Vital Nutrient for Bodybuilders and Diabetics

When you have diabetes and have tried all kinds of medicines but in vain, then you would even be willing to try any folk remedy to decrease your blood sugar levels. Therefore, if a diabetic is recommended vanadium for the cure of his disease, then he will without doubt try it.

Initially in the year 1801, vanadium was discovered by Andres Manuel del Rio, a Spanish- Mexican metallurgist. He discovered it as an element of the vanadium pentoxide compound. However, in 1867, the first person to successfully isolate vanadium was a chemist known as Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe from England.

Vanadium has multiple roles in providing the essential nutrients to the body. It helps in the activation of certain enzymes, assists in hormone production, maintains healthy metabolism and increases insulin sensitivity which is beneficial for both diabetics and body builders. In this article, we will discuss this nutrient in detail and provide the summary of its major functions such as the best source of food, the RDAs (recommended daily allowances) and the possible harmful effects of too much consumption or too little. Currently there is no official RDA for vanadium, but most of the sources recommend the consumption of 0.1 (mg) milligrams to 1mg daily to accomplish the above benefits. The maximum limit is 1.8mg every day.

In the current times, vanadium is one of the supplements which are very controversial. It is a fact that the minerals traced in vanadium can improve the work of the cholesterol enzyme and metabolism of sugar in 10mcg doses daily, especially in the form of food. Alternatively, the scientific test on animals has proved that it has insulin-like function resulting in low blood sugar.

In addition, vanadium may also protect against atherosclerosis (stiffness in the arteries), heart disease and cancer. Also, it promotes strong teeth and bone development and also sustains the reproductive system.

The richest sources of food that contain vanadium are seafood and vegetables. The specific foods that contain vanadium are oysters, mushrooms spinach and parsley. These contain 0.1 mg of vanadium per 100 grams (g).

Although it is difficult to consume vanadium through your diet more than 1.8mg per day but a few supplements exceed the TUL (Total Upper Limit). Therefore, you need to check the label for the quantity before consuming them. If you have an overdose of vanadium the symptoms are anemia (low count of red blood cell), dehydration, blood vessel damage, kidney failure, a poor appetite, liver damage, stunted growth, stomach problems, weight loss and a poor immune system.

On the other hand, there are no clear symptoms of vanadium deficiency. However, researches have shown that deficiency of vanadium aggravates diabetes, rising heart disease, cancer risk and hypoglycemia (high levels of blood glucose).
This amazing compound has shown positive effects for type 1 diabetics. Further, the other vanadium benefits are lowering of blood sugar, increase in muscle mass, assistance in reduction of cholesterol levels, imitation of insulin action, help in improvement of blood pressure and increase in storage and glycogen synthesis.

However, before consuming the supplements you should take the advice of your doctor as these supplements may react to some medicines which you are already consuming. You should watch your blood sugar levels very closely so that you can change your medications when required.

If the vanadium doses are not carefully monitored, then it can destroy beta cells of the pancreas which are responsible for insulin secretion and production. It is the same with regard to the various enzymes of metabolism. Vanadium may block these enzymes and harm the DNA restraining the synthesis of proteins which results in lipids oxidation (one stage ahead towards heart disease).