Vanadium plays a role in growth and reproduction, lowers the level of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increases glucose tolerance.
Vanadium deficiency can be the result of cardiovascular disorder and renal diseases. Lack of vanadium is thought to be a contributory cause of infant mortality, liver diseases, and cancer.
Vanadium is difficult to absorb from the diet and tobacco smoke makes this even more difficult. Vanadium uptake from supplements is higher than that from the diet. Extremely high levels of vanadium have been found in the hair of manic-depressives. These patients’ condition improved when the level of vanadium fell
Vanadium can be found in fresh fruit and vegetables; for example beans, radishes, dill, olives, whole corn, as well as in vegetable oils, fish, meat, and milk products.
Supplements of vanadium should be taken with a broad spectrum of antioxidants.
The daily allowance is between 1 and 4 mg.
Overdose
May occur after several months with a daily intake of 10-20 mg. If overdosed, vanadium can damage the white blood cells. Long-term overdoses can lead to cramping, diarrhoea, tiredness, and apathy.
