Germanium shows anticancer properties but it can cause severe side effects and death.
Germanium is a naturally occurring element that can be found in foods such as shiitake mushrooms, garlic, tuna, and tomato juice. It is not an essential nutrient for human health. Germanium acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals that can damage DNA and cells. In laboratory experiments, a derivative of germanium called spirogermanium has been shown to inhibit replication in certain cancer cells, but human studies show it has adverse effects and is not suitable as an anticancer treatment.
Purported Uses
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
There is an ongoing study on germanium’s effect in reducing radiation-induced fatigue in cancer patients
To treat HIV and AIDS
No scientific evidence supports this use.
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.
Side Effects
Weight loss
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Anemia
Muscle weakness
Abnormal sensations such as numbness, burning, tingling, or prickling
Sensory ataxia (failure of muscle coordination)
Less frequent side effects of germanium include chronic kidney failure, elevated liver enzymes, fatty degeneration of the liver, peripheral nerve problems, cerebellar ataxia, and slowed growth of the bone marrow.
Brand Name
Vitamin “O”, Pro-oxygen, Oxy-G2
Clinical Summary
Germanium is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in the manufacturing of electronics and optical equipments. Whereas trace amounts can be found in some foods, it is not thought to be essential for normal body functions. But inorganic and organic germanium products, which have different biological activities, have been promoted to treat wide range of diseases, including cancer and AIDS.
Germanium compounds have immunomodulating and antioxidant activities (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). Spirogermanium, an azaspiran compound, was investigated as an anticancer drug. Severe renal, hepatic, myelogenous, and neurologic toxicities have been reported (2)(3)(6)(7)(15). Germanium sesquioxide (Ge-132), an organic compound that is supposed to have lower toxicities, has been marketed as a dietary supplement to help fight cancers. In a single case study, tumor remission was reported following oral supplementation (17). However, there is no conclusive evidence showing this compound is an effective cancer treatment. A phase II clinical trial of germanium in reducing radiation-induced fatigue in cancer patients is underway (18).
There are concerns of contamination of germanium products by the toxic inorganic germanium dioxide. The FDA has issued warning letters to marketers of germanium about unsubstantiated claims. Importation of germanium for human consumption is not allowed (19)(20)(21).
Food Sources
Shiitake mushrooms, garlic, tuna, pan fish, tomato juice (2)
Purported Uses
Arthritis
Cancer treatment
Health maintenance
HIV and AIDS
Mechanism of Action
The atomic structure of germanium allows it to act as a free-radical scavenger (1). Spirogermanium has been shown to inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis in HeLa cells (2). Germanium sesquioxide enhances the activities of macrophage and T-cells (22) and stimulates the production of gamma interferon (23). Inorganic germanium dioxide enhances cellular radiosensitivity (24).
Warnings
Germanium supplements should not be consumed because they can cause renal, hepatic, and neurotoxicities. Although studies in animals revealed low potential for toxicity (25), low-dose chronic toxicity has been demonstrated repeatedly. Renal toxicity is characterized by vacuolar degeneration in renal tubular epithelial cells, without proteinuria or hematuria, in the absence of glomerular changes (2)(7).
Theoretically, may have additive toxicity with other drugs known to cause renal (e.g. aminoglycosides), hepato- or neurotoxicity (e.g. taxanes), and myelosuppression.