Germanium

Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More
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This information describes the common uses of Germanium, how it works, and its possible side effects.
Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.

What is it?

Germanium preparations should not be used even at low doses, as it can cause severe side effects and even death.

Germanium is a naturally occurring element. Trace amounts can be found in foods such as shiitake mushrooms, garlic, tuna, and tomato juice. However, it is not an essential nutrient for human health. Germanium was considered by some as an elixir in the 1970s and ’80s for diseases such as cancer and AIDS.

Earlier lab experiments suggested it may act as an antioxidant, and a product derived from germanium had some anticancer activity in the lab. However, human studies showed it has adverse effects and is not suitable as an cancer treatment.

What are the potential uses and benefits?

  • To treat arthritis
    No scientific evidence supports this use.
  • To treat cancer
    Clinical trials do not support this use.
  • To reduce side effects of cancer therapy
    The status of a small trial of germanium to reduce fatigue in cancer patients is unknown and has not produced any results.
  • To treat HIV and AIDS
    No scientific evidence supports this use.

What are the side effects?

  • Weight loss
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Appetite loss
  • Low blood count
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Numbness, burning, tingling
  • Liver toxicity
  • Kidney damage

What else do I need to know?

Patient Warnings:

  • Because of the frequency of toxic side effects such as kidney, liver, and nerve damage, germanium supplements should not be used, even at low doses.