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Vanadyl Sulfate

Othertrace elementLimited dose evidence

Also known as: vanadium (as vanadyl sulfate), VOSO4, vanadyl sulphate, oxovanadium sulfate

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A vanadium(IV) salt that was popular in 1990s bodybuilding products and remains in some blood-sugar formulas. Small clinical studies in type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance found improved insulin sensitivity at 100–150 mg/day of vanadyl sulfate, but those doses caused gastrointestinal side effects and are far above the amounts in consumer supplements. Vanadium has no established human requirement, and long-term safety of pharmacological doses is not established, so its use is niche.

Research summary

Vanadyl and vanadate ions inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatases, prolonging insulin receptor signaling and mimicking some insulin actions in cells.

Blood sugarStrength

Dosage

Daily amounts, of compound.

Lowest studiedTypical rangeHighest studiedUpper limit
—10–50 mg150 mg—

Doses are milligrams of vanadyl sulfate compound, not elemental vanadium. Anhydrous VOSO4 (MW 163.0) is 31% vanadium; the common trihydrate (MW 217.0) is 23.5%, and the pentahydrate 20%. Cusi 2001 gave 150 mg/day for six weeks in type 2 diabetes; Jacques-Camarena 2008 studied vanadium in impaired glucose tolerance. Consumer products commonly label 10–50 mg vanadyl sulfate, a range taken from market convention rather than trial evidence. The FNB set a UL of 1.8 mg/day of elemental vanadium for adults based on animal data, which 10 mg of trihydrate (≈ 2.4 mg V) already exceeds; the app leaves the UL null because it is expressed in elemental vanadium and this row is dosed as compound. Nausea and diarrhea are the common complaints.

Source material: synthetic vanadyl sulfate (usually trihydrate)

As supplied: Trihydrate ≈ 23.5% V; anhydrous ≈ 31% V

Format suitability

  • Capsule
  • Powder
  • Tablet
  • Softgel
  • Gummy
  • Liquid

Blue crystalline powder; hygroscopic and colors the blend. Capsules or coated tablets only.

Formulation notes

May add to the effect of insulin and oral glucose-lowering drugs. Vanadium can affect anticoagulant activity in theory. Keep separate from high-dose vitamin C and chromium in liquids to avoid redox reactions.

  • Notable drug interactions
  • Not for pregnancy

Sources

  1. Vanadyl sulfate improves hepatic and muscle insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes (Cusi 2001)PubMed
  2. Effect of vanadium on insulin sensitivity in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (Jacques-Camarena 2008)PubMed
  3. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc (NASEM 2001)Reference

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