Vanadyl Sulfate

Claims, Benefits: Treats or cures diabetes.

Bottom Line: Some studies show that large doses may help regulate blood sugar. But not all diabetics respond, and very large doses are needed. It's too early to recommend it. If you do take it, tell your doctor so that its effects can be monitored.

Full Article, Wellness Letter, December 1998:

Ask the Experts

Q: Can vanadyl sulfate be used to treat diabetes?

A: It's too early to recommend it. Certainly, if you're a diabetic, don't believe claims that massive doses of vanadyl sulfate can cure the disease and/or replace your medication or insulin. Be sure to tell your doctor if you do take this supplement so that its effects (good or bad) can be monitored.

Vanadyl sulfate is a form of the element vanadium; it is 19% vanadium. Vanadium is an "ultratrace" mineral—so named because it's needed in minuscule amounts. There is no official recommended intake for vanadium, but the amount generally suggested is 5 to 10 micrograms (a microgram is one-thousandth of a milligram). Most people easily get this much from food, especially from whole grains, shellfish, mushrooms, and soy. There's no evidence that Americans are deficient in vanadium.

Some interesting research, mostly in diabetic rats, shows that large doses of vanadium may help regulate blood sugar. The limited, preliminary studies on humans with Type 2 diabetes have confirmed some of these results. But not all diabetics respond, and very large doses—100 to 125 milligrams of vanadyl sulfate a day—are needed. Such doses would supply more than 1,000 times the suggested intake of vanadium.

Though side effects are uncommon, such large doses can cause cramping and diarrhea. No one knows what the long-term effects may be.

Vanadium given in these doses must be considered a drug. And as such, it should be regulated by the FDA and taken only with the advice of a doctor.

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, December 1998