Germanium is a chemical element that was discovered in 1886. Chemically similar to silicon and tin, germanium is classified as a metalloid, not a metal. The 50th-most-abundant element in the planet's crust, it is also an important material in most electronic products. In recent years, organic germanium has received increasing attention for its purported beneficial effect on cancer patients, specifically, in boosting their immune system functions. It has also reportedly been used to treat leukemia, neurosis, asthma, hepatitis and a host of other diseases.
Function
Germanium may function as an antioxidant, eliminating harmful free radicals that would otherwise cause permanent damage to cells and lead to diseases such as cancer. It may also reduce inflammation of internal tissues and increase the amount of oxygen that gets delivered to cells, which proponents of germanium claim helps slow down the growth of tumors. Still, since it is not considered an essential nutrient for human health, germanium has no formally defined biological function, the Food Standards Risk Agency explains.
Potential Medical Applications and Evidence
Organic germanium has been claimed to have beneficial effects on several disorders, such as cancer, liver disease, hypertension, food allergies, asthma and HIV/AIDS. Studies concerning germanium's effect on reducing radiation-induced fatigue in cancer patients are ongoing. However, available scientific evidence has not yielded any conclusive results regarding its efficacy for any form of disease.
Lab tests have revealed that a derivative called spirogermanium can slow down replication of cancer cells; however, studies involving humans have shown it to have negative effects, therefore making it unsuitable for cancer treatment, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute reports.
Supplements and Natural Sources
Organic germanium is found naturally in some foods, such as garlic, tuna, tomato juice and shiitake mushrooms, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports. Milk, onions, broccoli, celery, rhubarb and herbs such as comfrey, ginseng, suma and aloe vera also contain small amounts of germanium. In addition, this element is currently marketed over the Internet as a non-prescription dietary supplement in the form of oral capsules and tablets, as well as injectable solutions. However, the Food and Drug Administration has banned its importation as a food supplement due to potential hazardous effects, the American Cancer Society notes.
Safety and Toxicity
Taking germanium supplements is considered unsafe. Supplements are often contaminated with inorganic germanium, which can have severe side effects on humans, including permanent kidney failure, the American Cancer Society reports. Even if one takes fully organic germanium, toxic effects include weight loss, anemia, poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness and nerve damage in the feet and hands. Prolonged consumption of this element causes the side effects to worsen. In rare cases, patients have experienced chronic renal failure, hepatic steatosis, elevated liver enzymes and muscular control dysfunction.
