Germanium
GERMANIUM is a mineral referred to as a nutrient, sometimes called GE-132, but no official metabolic role has been established for its use. Although present in many foodstuffs, supplements were removed from the market many years ago after promotional exuberance did not bring the proclaimed results. Irreversible kidney damage was also attributed to germanium.
Toxicity has not been found in germanium carboxyethyl-sesquioxide, however. It is this form that lays claim to cancer cures. The most common form, and the one that can be toxic, is "germanium oxide" found in some health products. It is this form that was used in most studies causing all germanium forms to be banned by the FDA.
If humans have a requirement for this mineral based on animal studies, it would be in very minute amounts, and toxicity does depend on its form accumulating in the bone, liver, pancreas, and testis. Some organic forms are less toxic than inorganic ones. Toxicity can produce kidney damage and some deaths have been reported when consumption of organic supplements were contaminated with inorganic germanium. Some deficiency symptoms are listed as being a decreased immunity, cell oxygenation and interferon production, bone and heart deterioration, and increased blood pressure but further research is obviously required.
