Vanadium
Also known as: Vanadyl sulfate, V
Two small randomised human trials examined oral vanadium (vanadyl sulfate or elemental V doses) over weeks. One 4-week trial in people with impaired glucose tolerance found no change in insulin sensitivity and an increase in triglycerides. A 6-week dose-ranging study in people with type 2 diabetes characterised serum and urinary vanadium kinetics (very low apparent absorption, multi-day half-life, large interindividual variability) and found no clear relationship between total serum vanadium and insulin-sensitising effect.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 2 indexed studies
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Overview
Vanadium is a transition metal sometimes provided as vanadyl sulfate in oral supplements and investigated for effects on insulin signalling. Human trials are limited and show inconsistent metabolic effects and evidence of biological accumulation.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Vanadium compounds can inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatases in vitro, which could enhance insulin receptor signalling; in humans, coordination chemistry and complex formation affect biodistribution and pharmacokinetics, limiting predictable bioavailability.
Physiological Role
Not an established essential nutrient in humans; studied for potential insulin-mimetic effects via modulation of insulin signalling enzymes and for effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
Investigated for metabolic health and insulin sensitivity rather than athletic performance; evidence does not demonstrate clear benefit for glycaemic control and indicates potential for altered lipid concentrations.
Evidence Review
No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.
Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Not established (no consistent efficacy demonstrated)
- Optimal Range
- Not established
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established; studies report multi-day half-life and potential for accumulation
- Timing
- As used in trials: divided dosing (e.g. vanadyl sulfate 50 mg twice daily in one trial)
- Best Format
- Oral vanadyl sulfate or elemental vanadium preparations (studied forms)
- Bioavailability
- Apparent oral absorption is very low (≈1% or less of administered dose in one study) with large interindividual variability and multi-day serum half-life.
- Absorption Considerations
- Coordination with biological ligands influences biodistribution and serum levels; peak serum concentrations correlated with dose but varied widely between subjects.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •Increase in triglyceride concentrations (reported in one trial)
- •Potential for accumulation due to multi-day half-life
Who Should Avoid
- •People with impaired lipid profiles may wish to avoid until more data are available
Monitoring
Trials observed increased triglycerides and long serum half-life; monitoring of blood lipids and clinical follow-up would be prudent when using vanadium supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Vanadium typically used or indicated?
Vanadium is most commonly used for: Metabolic health / insulin sensitivity, Experimental mineral supplementation. Not an established essential nutrient in humans; studied for potential insulin-mimetic effects via modulation of insulin signalling enzymes and for effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.
How does Vanadium work?
Vanadium compounds can inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatases in vitro, which could enhance insulin receptor signalling; in humans, coordination chemistry and complex formation affect biodistribution and pharmacokinetics, limiting predictable bioavailability.
What is the recommended dose of Vanadium?
The optimal range is Not established. with a minimum effective dose of Not established (no consistent efficacy demonstrated). Best taken: As used in trials: divided dosing (e.g. vanadyl sulfate 50 mg twice daily in one trial). Upper / caution level: Not established; studies report multi-day half-life and potential for accumulation.
What are the side effects of Vanadium?
Reported side effects include: Increase in triglyceride concentrations (reported in one trial); and Potential for accumulation due to multi-day half-life. Monitoring: Trials observed increased triglycerides and long serum half-life; monitoring of blood lipids and clinical follow-up would be prudent when using vanadium supplements.
Who should avoid Vanadium?
Vanadium is generally not recommended for: People with impaired lipid profiles may wish to avoid until more data are available.
How strong is the evidence for Vanadium?
Evidence level: Preliminary (overall score 33/100), based on 2 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (2)
Effect of vanadium on insulin sensitivity in patients with impaired glucose tolerance.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 14 overweight/obese patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Vanadyl sulfate 50 mg twice daily or placebo for 4 weeks; insulin sensitivity assessed by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp.
Coordination chemistry may explain pharmacokinetics and clinical response of vanadyl sulfate in type 2 diabetic patients.
Dose-ranging oral vanadyl sulfate study in 16 people with type 2 diabetes (25, 50, 100 mg elemental V daily) for 6 weeks, measuring serum, blood and urine vanadium to characterise pharmacokinetics and explore correlations with glycaemic measures.
Related Ingredients
Other top-rated ingredients in Minerals.
Magnesium Glycinate
84/100An amino acid chelate of magnesium providing elemental Mg²⁺ bound to two glycine molecules, offering superior bioavailability and minimal gastrointestinal side effects.
Calcium Citrate
75/100Calcium bound to citric acid; ~24% elemental Ca by mass; absorbed across the small intestine via active transport and paracellular diffusion regardless of gastric pH.
Zinc
74/100Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of human trials show that oral zinc supplementation reduces duration and increases recovery rates in acute and persistent watery diarrhoea in children; lowers inflammatory lesion counts in acne; reduces pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea; and in small trials (20–30 mg/day) improved fasting glucose and 2‑hr OGTT in people with prediabetes. Adverse effects reported include increased vomiting in children receiving zinc for diarrhoea.
Research Overview
Preliminary EvidenceCite this ingredient
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Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/vanadium
SuppIndex. (2026). Vanadium: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/vanadium
Based on 2 indexed studies · Evidence level: Preliminary.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
No human trial evidence supports combining vanadium with other metabolic agents for added benefit; pharmacokinetic variability may complicate co-administration effects.