Vanadium is a soft, silvery metal that is resistant to corrosion and soluble in nitric acid. It is found in many different minerals and crude oils. When vanadium is exposed to alkali, it forms water-soluble vanadates. It is also available in a variety of other compound forms.

Scientists aren’t sure exactly how much vanadium you need, but they think it may be important for normal bone growth. It’s also used in nutritional supplements. Most of the research on dietary vanadium has been in animals, and only a few studies have been done in people. High doses of supplemental vanadium may be toxic.

Some studies have shown that vanadium might improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. However, there aren’t enough large, long-term studies to know whether vanadium is effective in treating humans with diabetes. Other research has suggested that it might help lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and improve the way the body uses insulin.

A small study of 11 people with type 2 diabetes showed that taking 150 milligrams of vanadyl sulfate per day for six weeks reduced their blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels. It seemed to work by helping the liver use glucose as energy.

Other studies have suggested that vanadium might prevent or treat parasitic infections. In vitro (test tube) and in vivo (animal) studies have found that vanadium might fight parasites, including those that cause Chagas’ disease. However, more research is needed before vanadium can be recommended as a treatment for parasitic infections.