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Germanium

Other common name(s): germanium sesquioxide, germanium 132, organic germanium, vitamin O; other forms of organic and inorganic germanium

Scientific/medical name(s): bis-carboxyethyl germanium sesquioxide, Ge 132

Description

Germanium is 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.

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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (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's disease, neuralgia, chronic fatigue, hepatitis, and cirrhosis of the liver. Supporters say germanium stimulates the body's production of interferon, a naturally occurring anticancer agent, and helps the immune system by boosting the activity of natural killer cells, a type of white blood cell that attacks invading germs.

What does it involve?

Germanium supplements are available in powdered form and in capsules ranging from 35 to 500 milligrams,. 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 that said the mineral had tremendous therapeutic value. In 1969, Dr. Asai founded the Asai Germanium Research Institute. He reported that he had developed a way to produce 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.

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.

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 thirty-one cases of kidney failure 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.

Because of the way it is processed, organic germanium is easily 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 reported in people who took organic germanium were actually caused by 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. Most patients 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 companies that produce drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling them do not 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). Though the FDA has written new rules to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health when proper manufacturing techniques are used.

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 may cause permanent kidney failure, and even supplements labeled as organic may be contaminated with inorganic germanium. At least 9 deaths have been reported. While organic germanium appears to have less toxicity than inorganic germanium, it has caused kidney damage and liver changes. Other reported effects include 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 for which side effects include kidney problems 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 not take germanium. Germanium is not recommended for anyone due to its potential for serious health hazards. Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.

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 found on our Web site (www.cancer.org) or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).

References

Memorandum in response to new dietary ingredient notification, November 13, 2002. US Food and Drug Administration Web site. http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/DOCKETS/dockets/95s0316/95s-0316-rpt0155-01-vol113.pdf. Accessed June 4, 2008.

Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals 2003. Risk assessment: germanium. Food Standards Agency Web site. http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/evm_germanium.pdf. Accessed June 4, 2008.

Gerber GB, Leonard A. Mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and teratogenicity of germanium compounds. Mutat Res. 1997;387:141-146.

Germanium. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Web site. http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69232.cfm. Accessed June 4, 2008.

Germanium. National Products Association Web site. http://www.naturalproductsassoc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=rr_bg_germanium. Accessed June 4, 2008.

Germanium. PDRhealth Web site. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/ger_0119.shtml. Accessed June 4, 2008.

Tao SH, Bolger PM. Hazard assessment of germanium supplements. Regul 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.

Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008

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