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Germanium

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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