Vanadium

Vanadium is an ultra-trace mineral that mimics insulin — vanadyl sulfate activates insulin receptor signaling independently of insulin. Studies in type 2 diabetes showed improved insulin sensitivity and glucose control at 100mg/day vanadyl sulfate. BUT: GI side effects are significant (50% of participants reported nausea/diarrhea), and kidney toxicity at high doses is a concern. The insulin-mimetic mechanism was exciting in the 1990s but never translated to a safe therapeutic dose in humans. Our assessment: mechanism is real, therapeutic window is too narrow for supplement use. --- *Reviewed by the Dose AI Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board* *Last updated: 2026-04-06*