Germanium (Ge)

Mineral Health Connection
Written By John Bumpus
JB_MineralHealth_Germanium.jpg

The existence of Germanium was predicted by Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleyev in 1871, but it wasn’t until 1886 that it was discovered, by a German chemist named Clemens Winkler.

Germanium is never found in nature on its own, and there is not much in the Earth’s crust, or the cosmos. It’s use, and therefore value was not known until it was discovered to be beneficial in transistors and semiconductors in electronics. While it is no longer primarily used in semiconductors, it is still important for the manufacturing of transistors and various components such as rectifiers and photocells. A transistor is a semiconductor device that is used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. It is now also used in alloys, and along with phosphorus in fluorescent lamps. Germanium is used for its strength in lens and window components of equipment, as well as camera lenses, microscopes and eyeglasses (Britannica, 2020).

While you may not have heard of this element, it has an exciting property that accepts and transmits electrons. Medicinally, it has been found to have antibiotic properties and is currently being studied for its use as a therapeutic agent. Biologically, germanium is a very efficient electrical impulse initiator intracellularly and functions as a metallic cofactor for oxygen.

Clinical Summary

Germanium compounds have different biological activities depending on whether or not they are organic or inorganic. They have been promoted for a wide range of diseases ranging from cancer to arthritis and even AIDS.

Germanium is not thought of as an essential nutrient, but it has known immunomodulating and antioxidant activity in the body (Köpf-Maier, 1994; H M Dhingra, 1986; J P Kuebler, 1984; P Schulman, 1984; F H Dexeus, 1986; N J Vogelzang, 1985). Spirogermanium has been investigated as an anticancer drug. However, severe renal, hepatic and myelogenous and neurological toxicities have been found (Schauss, 1991; S H Tao, 1997; R Krapf, 1992; L Boros, 1986; B E Lück, 1999).

An organic compound, germanium sesquioxide (Ge-132) has been marketed as a dietary supplement as a cancer remedy. However, this is founded on a single case study where complete tumour remission was reported after oral supplementation (M G Mainwaring, 2000). There is no conclusive evidence to support the claim of this compound as an effective treatment for cancer. There is a phase II clinical trial in progress that has yet to produce any results at the time of writing this article (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Germanium, along with other elements such as silicon, selenium, arsenic appear to play a role in the semiconductor properties of DNA in plants and animals. Thus, these elements help DNA function in a healthy manner (Marczynski, 1988).

Mechanism of Action

The atomic structure of germanium allows it to function as a free-radical scavenger (Goodman, 1988). A synthetic organometallic compound that contains germanium, called Spirogermanium has been shown to inhibit the synthesis of DNA and RNA in HeLa cells (Schauss, 1991). Germanium sesquioxide can enhance the immune function by affecting the activity of macrophage and T-cells (F Suzuki, 1985) as well as gamma interferon (Suzuki & Pollard, 1984). While inorganic germanium dioxide is capable of enhancing cellular radiosensitivity (Ming-Hsing Lin, 2009).

Toxicity of Germanium

Toxicity of germanium in humans is quite rare unless they have had a large exposure (G B Gerber, 1997). Excessive germanium consumption can lead to kidney dysfunction, kidney tubular degeneration, anaemia, muscle weakness, and peripheral neuropathy (nerve problems) has been observed in people that are consuming mineral supplements which contain between 15 to 300 grams per day, both of which are a very high dose even at the lesser intake (S H Tao, 1997).

Short term exposure of germanium does not appear to cause many symptoms, but instead, it is the larger doses which may cause harm. Negative effects have been observed at daily doses as low as 90 mg over a 6 to 22-month time period. The adverse toxic effects of Germanium supplementation (kidney failure) decreased after stopping the supplement. However, the kidney function did not return to a healthy function (S H Tao, 1997).

Sources of Germanium

The average intake of germanium has been estimated to be about 1.5 mg per day from normal exposure in foods which contain more than 5ppm (Schauss, 1991).

Food sources of germanium include; shiitake mushrooms, garlic, tuna, panfish, and tomato juice (Schauss, 1991). Others include; aloe, reishi mushroom and comfrey.

Some of the therapeutic functions of these herbs could be attributed to their germanium content. Some claim ginseng is also a good source, but the levels of the element are not very high (Chunjiang Tan, 2015).

Animal organs may be a good source of germanium, including spleen, kidney, liver, lung, stomach, heart and pancreas (Chunjiang Tan, 2015).

The holy waters at Lourdes which are known for its healing properties are high in both germanium and lithium. It has been suggested that these elements are responsible for the many claims of the healing properties.  

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Notes:

As far as I know, there are no known implications for low germanium levels on an HTMA.

  • The ideal level of germanium is 0.003 mg%.

  • While a good range is between 0.001 – 0.003 mg%.

  • Toxicity may occur at levels greater than 0.003 mg%.

Dosing

As of April 23, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration banned the import of all products that are promoted as drugs or dietary supplements and intended for human consumption.

The list includes (Food and Drug Administration, 2019):

  • Germanium Sesquioxide

  • GE-132

  • GE-OXY-132

  • Vitamin "O"

  • Pro-Oxygen

  • Nutrigel 132

  • Immune Multiple

  • Germax

Deficiencies of germanium are characterised by a severely reduced immune system, arthritis, osteoarthritis, low energy, and perhaps cancer. However, I have not found enough scientific evidence to support this.

20-30mg per day is often the recommended dose. However, 50-100mg is commonly used when an individual has a serious health imbalance which requires an increased oxygen level in the body. Due to Germanium’s insidious nature of toxicity, I do not recommend a person uses germanium supplements. It has been said that the organic form of germanium is the only nontoxic form of Germanium, but I am not convinced at this time.  Germanium supplements should not be consumed since they can cause renal, hepatic and neurotoxicity. However, animal studies do suggest a low potential for toxicity, however, low-dose chronic toxicity has been demonstrated repeatedly (E Sabbioni, 2010).

References

1.     B E Lück, H. M. (1999). Renal and other organ failure caused by germanium intoxication. Nephrol Dial Transplant, 14(10), 2464-8. doi:10.1093/ndt/14.10.2464

2.      Britannica. (2020, January 29). Germanium. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/science/germanium

3.      Chunjiang Tan, L. X. (2015). Germanium in ginseng is low and causes no sodium and water retention or renal toxicity in the diuretic-resistant rats. Exp Biol Med (Maywood), 240(11), 1505-12. doi:10.1177/1535370215571874

4.      ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Use of Organic Germanium or Placebo for the Prevention of Radiation Induced Fatigue. Retrieved from U.S National Library of Medicine: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00651417?term=germanium&rank=1

5.      E Sabbioni, S. F. (2010). Metabolic fate of ultratrace levels of GeCl(4) in the rat and in vitro studies on its basal cytotoxicity and carcinogenic potential in Balb/3T3 and HaCaT cell linesdagger. J Appl Toxicol, 30(1), 34-41. doi:10.1002/jat.1469

6.      F H Dexeus, C. L. (1986). Phase II study of spirogermanium in metastatic prostate cancer. Cancer Treat Rep, 70(9), 1129-30. doi:PMID: 3742495

7.      F Suzuki, R. R. (1985). Importance of T-cells and macrophages in the antitumor activity of carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (Ge-132). Anticancer Res, 5(5), 479-83. doi:PMID: 3877491

8.      Food and Drug Administration. (2019, 04 23). Import Alert 54-07. Retrieved from U.S Food and Drug: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_139.html

9.      G B Gerber, A. L. (1997). Mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and teratogenicity of germanium compounds. Mutat Res, 387(3), 141-6. doi:10.1016/s1383-5742(97)00034-3

10.   Goodman, S. (1988). Therapeutic effects of organic germanium. Med Hypotheses, 26(3), 207-15. doi:10.1016/0306-9877(88)90101-6

11.   H M Dhingra, T. U. (1986). Phase II study of spirogermanium in advanced (extensive) non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Treat Rep, 70(5), 673-4. doi:PMID: 3708617

12.   J P Kuebler, D. C. (1984). Phase II study of spirogermanium in advanced breast cancer. Cancer Treat Rep, 68(12), 1515-6. doi:PMID: 6509457

13.   Köpf-Maier, P. (1994). Complexes of metals other than platinum as antitumour agents. Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 47(1), 1-16. doi:10.1007/BF00193472

14.   L Boros, A. A. (1986). Phase II Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study of spirogermanium in previously treated lymphoma. Cancer Treat Rep, 70(7), 917-8. doi:PMID: 3719586

15.   M G Mainwaring, C. P. (2000). Complete remission of pulmonary spindle cell carcinoma after treatment with oral germanium sesquioxide. Chest, 117(2), 591-3. doi:10.1378/chest.117.2.591

16.   Marczynski, B. (1988). Carcinogenesis as the result of the deficiency of some essential trace elements. Med Hypotheses, 26(4), 239-49. doi:10.1016/0306-9877(88)90127-2

17.   Ming-Hsing Lin, T.-S. H.-M.-Y.-P.-Y. (2009). Comparison of organic and inorganic germanium compounds in cellular radiosensitivity and preparation of germanium nanoparticles as a radiosensitizer. Int J Radiat Biol, 214-26.

18.   N J Vogelzang, D. H. (1985). A phase II study of spirogermanium in advanced human malignancy. Am J Clin Oncol, 8(4), 341-4. doi:10.1097/00000421-198508000-00014

19.   P Schulman, R. B. (1984). Phase II trial of spirogermanium in advanced renal cell carcinoma: a Cancer and Leukemia Group B study. Cancer Treat Rep, 68(10), 1305-6. doi:PMID: 6525606

20.   R Krapf, T. S. (1992). Abuse of germanium associated with fatal lactic acidosis. 62(3), 351-6. doi:10.1159/000187072

21.   S H Tao, P. M. (1997). Hazard assessment of germanium supplements. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 25(3), 211-9. doi:10.1006/rtph.1997.1098

22.   Schauss, A. G. (1991). Nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity in humans from organogermanium compounds and germanium dioxide. Biol Trace Elem Res, 29(3), 267-80. doi:10.1007/BF03032683

23.   Suzuki, F., & Pollard, R. B. (1984). Prevention of suppressed interferon gamma production in thermally injured mice by administration of a novel organogermanium compound, Ge-132. J Interferon Res, 4(2), 223-33. doi:10.1089/jir.1984.4.223

 

 

John Bumpus https://Mineralbalancing.org
Previous

Paramin
Next

Molybdenum for Copper Toxicity