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Other common name(s):
germanium sesquioxide, germanium 132, organic germanium, vitamin O;
several other forms of organic and inorganic germanium exist
Scientific/medical name(s):
bis-carboxyethyl germanium sesquioxide, Ge 132
Description
Germanium is an element, a mineral. Small amounts of organic
germanium are found in some plant-based foods. Inorganic germanium is
mined and widely used as a semiconductor in the electronics industry.
Both organic and inorganic germanium have been sold as dietary
supplements, though the organic forms are more commonly used today.
Ge-132 is a synthetic form of organic germanium, a form not found in
nature.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
germanium supplements are effective in preventing or treating cancer in
humans, and there are numerous reports showing that they may be
harmful. A study conducted by the FDA reported that supplements
containing germanium present a potential hazard to humans. As a result,
the FDA has banned its import as a food supplement. However, the amount
of germanium naturally found in foods does not appear to be toxic.
How is it promoted for use?
Proponents claim germanium can be used to treat leukemia and
cancers of the lung, bladder, larynx, breast, and uterus. They also
claim it can help neurosis, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac
insufficiency, Parkinson disease, neuralgia, chronic fatigue,
hepatitis, and cirrhosis of the liver. Supporters say that germanium
stimulates the body's production of interferon, a naturally occurring
anti-cancer agent, and helps the immune system by boosting the activity
of natural killer cells (a type of white blood cell), which attack
invading germs. Available scientific evidence does not support these
claims.
What does it involve?
Germanium supplements are available in capsules ranging from
35 mg to 500 milligrams (mg), as well as in powdered form. There is no
standardized dose. These supplements are available in health food
stores and over the Internet.
What is the history behind it?
The late Dr. Kazuhiko Asai of Japan began investigating the
biological properties of Germanium after reading reports from Russia,
which said that the mineral had tremendous therapeutic value. In 1969,
Dr. Asai founded the Asai Germanium Research Institute. He reported
that he had developed a process for producing germanium that was
chemically identical to the germanium extracted from plants. Dr. Asai
also found that germanium was present in many common herbal remedies,
including ginseng, garlic, comfrey, and aloe (see Aloe,
Comfrey,
Garlic
and
Ginseng).
Dr. Otto Warburg, a Nobel Prize winning biochemist, stated
that germanium helped to increase the delivery of oxygen to cells. He
believed that boosting the oxygen supply to healthy cells slowed the
growth of tumors (see Oxygen
Therapy).
What is the evidence?
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
germanium supplements promote health or increase the body's production
of interferon. It also does not support the claim that germanium is an
essential nutrient in animals or humans.
A study conducted by the FDA found at least 31 cases of
kidney failure were linked to germanium products. Nine deaths have also
been reported. Most of these effects were from inorganic forms of
germanium, but the FDA has also found severe kidney damage in people
taking organic germanium as well.
Because of the way it is made, organic germanium is often
contaminated with inorganic germanium, which appears to be more toxic
than the organic form. It is uncertain whether the kidney damage and
other toxic effects in people who reported taking organic germanium
were actually caused by organic germanium or from the supplement's
contamination with inorganic germanium. Because of this problem with
purity, products containing germanium of any sort can pose a hazard to
humans.
In the early 1980s, small studies were done using germanium
on people with various types of cancer. In the first study, even those
who received the lowest doses had toxic effects, and none of the
patients got better. Later, a group of 25 patients were given
spirogermanium (a form of organic germanium) 3 times a week for 2
weeks. For most patients, their cancer got worse, and toxic side
effects were common. Because of these results -- many toxic effects and
little effect on the cancer -- studies on spirogermanium were stopped.
Are there any possible problems
or complications?
This product is sold as a dietary supplement in the
United States. Unlike drugs (which must be tested before being allowed
to be sold), the companies that make supplements are not required to
prove to the Food and Drug Administration that their supplements are
safe or effective, as long as they don't claim the supplements can
prevent, treat, or cure any specific disease.
Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Actual amounts per dose may vary
between brands or even between different batches of the same brand.
Most such supplements have not been tested to find
out if they interact with medicines, foods, or other herbs and
supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful
effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are
not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on
ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.
Germanium supplements may pose danger for humans. Scientists
warn that inorganic germanium (which may be in supplements even though
they are labeled organic) may cause permanent kidney failure. At least
9 deaths have been reported. Even though organic germanium appears to
have less toxicity than inorganic germanium, it has caused kidney
damage and liver changes. Other reported effects have included anemia,
poor appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, muscle
weakness, skin rashes, and numbness in the hands and feet due to nerve
damage. The toxic effects build up over time and get worse the longer
it is taken.
Germanium may interfere with certain other medicines, and may make
seizures worse. Drugs that can damage the kidneys may be more likely to
cause harm if taken with germanium. Very little testing during
pregnancy has been reported, but at least one form of germanium caused
ill effects on fetuses in animal tests. Women who are pregnant or
breast-feeding should especially avoid taking it. However, it is not
recommended for anyone due to its potential for serious health effects.
Additional Resources
More Information From Your
American Cancer Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered
from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug
Administration. Memorandum in Response to New Dietary Ingredient
Notification, November 13, 2002. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/DOCKETS/dockets/95s0316/95s-0316-rpt0155-01-vol113.pdf.
Accessed April 18, 2007.
Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals. Risk Assessment:
Germanium, 2003. Available at:
www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/evm_germanium.pdf. Accessed April 18,
2007.
Gerber GB, Leonard A. Mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and
teratogenicity of germanium compounds. Mutat Res.
1997;387:141-146.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Germanium. Available at:
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69232.cfm. Accessed April 19, 2007.
National Nutritional Foods Association. Scientific
Backgrounders: Germanium. Available at:
http://www.naturalproductsassoc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=rr_bg_germanium.
Accessed April 19, 2007.
PDR Health. Germanium. Available at:
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/ger_0119.shtml.
Accessed April 18, 2007.
Tao S-H, Bolger P. Hazard assessment of germanium
supplements. Regulat Toxicol Pharmacol.
1997;25:211-219.
Note: This information may not
cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Revised: 06/26/2007
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