Vanadium+Sulfate

=**Definition:**= Vanadyl sulfate is a well known inorganic compound of vanadium. Vanadyl sulfate is a component of some food supplements and drugs. Vanadyl compounds mimic the effects of insulin, although humans seem to have no dietary requirements for vanadium. (Wikipedia, 2012)

=**Sources:**= Can be found in foods such as pepper, dill, radishes, eggs, vegetable oil, buckwheat and oats. (Schlundt, 2011)

=**Recommendations:**=

Recommended for 18 and older.

It is suggested that bodybuilders should use vanadium to increase cell volume and thus boost muscle mass (Nutros.com). Vanadyl sulfate has no significant effect on rates of total-body glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis, glycolysis, and CHO (Boden et al., 1996). Vanadium should only be consumed by the intake of food. It shouldn't be used as a supplement due to its high dosage. Most studies have been on animals and only a few have been human studies (Enrlich, 2011). Some studies suggest that vanadium can improve insulin sensitivity with people with type 2 diabetes; the dosages used in these studies were far above tolerable upper take limit (Enrlich, 2011). Some studies were given to healthy adults take vanadium sulfate and see the effects of insulin in their body. In a couple studies no significant effects were shown in insulin sensitivity on those healthy individuals (Williams, 2005).

=**Usage:**=

** Dosage: **
Adults: 0.5-1.0mg
 * Recommended Daily Intake**

Adults: 1.8mg
 * Tolerable Upper Limit**

>2.5mg per day for oral ingestion. Inhaled vanadium is more toxic than ingested vanadium (Vital Health Zone, 2010).
 * Toxic Levels**


 * Timing: **

Take 1 hour after workout with a meal

=**Warning and Side Effects:**=
 * This product has not been evaluated by FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.**

Vanadium has some interactions with certain medications. Talk to your doctor before taking a vanadium supplement. If someone is taking a blood thinner should avoid taking vanadium since it may increase the risk of bleeding. Also people taking diabetes medication should avoid it as well. Vanadium may lower blood sugar levels, people taking medication to lower blood sugar level could be at risk to developing hypoglycemia (Ehrlich, 2011).

Common side effects include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and gas (Ehrlich, 2011).

=**Ranking:**=


 * Effectiveness: 1**
 * Safety: 0**
 * Cost: ($17.95, 120 servings, $0.08 per serving): 5**
 * Ease of Use: (Capsules): 4**

Total Score: 10/20

Since there hasn't been a lot of studies on humans the effectiveness of its use is still not clear. Supplement forms are given in a high level of dosage causing it to be in the toxicity level for daily consumption. I wouldn't recommend this supplement due to lack of evidence of its effects to the body, the high risk of overdose, and not enough studies being performed on humans.

=**Work Cited:**=

Boden, G., Chen, X., Ruiz, J., van Rossum, G. D. V., & Turco, S. (1996). Effects of vanadyl sulfate on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in patients with non—insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. // Metabolism, ////45 //(9), 1130-1135. doi: 10.1016/S0026-0495(96)90013-X

Cusi, K., Cukier, S., DeFronzo, R., Torres, M., Pushulu, F., & Redondo, J. (2001). Vanadyl sulfate improves hepatic and muscle insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. // The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. //, // 86 // (3), 1410-7.

Ehrlich, S. D. (2011, June 12). // University of maryland medical center //. Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vanadium-000330.htm

Schlundt, D. (2011). // Vanadyl sulfate //. Retrieved from http://www.vanderbilt.edu/ans/psychology/health_psychology/vanadylsulfate.html

Vanadyl Sulfate. (2012, December 15). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanadyl_sulfate

Vital Health Zone. (2010, January 1). // All about minerals: Vanadium //. Retrieved from http://www.vitalhealthzone.com/nutrition/minerals/vanadium.html

Williams, M. (2005). Dietary supplements and sports performance: Minerals. // Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition //, // 2 // , 43-49. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-2-1-43