Vanadium is a trace mineral used for treating diabetes, heart disease,  various cancers, promoting bone growth, and lowering cholesterol (LDL).  It was proven to be an essential mineral in 1971.  There is some evidence that vanadium may act like insulin or help to enhance the effects of insulin by increasing the movement of glucose into cells (Metabolism, 2000).  Therefore, vanadium has a very beneficial effect for humans with glucose and carbohydrate intolerance (i.e. hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, narcolepsy, prediabetes, depression, manic depression, bi-polar disease, ADD, ADHD, violent behavior, etc.) by making the cell membrane insulin receptiors more sensitive to insulin.

Tests on  human cells indicate that vanadium may help promote osteogenesis (a process in which bone forming cells lay down new bone material) according to a 2006 report published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology.  Vanadium inhibits cholesterol synthesis and increases the contractile force of heart muscle known as the ‘inotropic effect’.  Studies with laboratory animals have shown vanadium to have some anticarcinogenic properties.

Vanadium is not easily absorbed.  A water-soluble, nano-sized preparation is more effective.  Athletes may require more of this trace mineral than non-athletes.  Although both minerals have positive insulin-like effects on the body, vanadium and chromium should be taken a different times during the day (a few hours apart).  Tobacco use decreases the uptake of vanadium.