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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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