 The essentials
Name: indium
Symbol: In
Atomic number: 49
Atomic weight: 114.818 (3)
CAS Registry ID: 7440-74-6
Group number: 13
Group name: (none)
Period number: 5
Block: p-block
Colour: silvery lustrous grey
Classification: Metallic
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 The essentials
Name: germanium
Symbol: Ge
Atomic number: 32
Atomic weight: 72.64 (1)
CAS Registry ID: 7440-56-4
Group number: 14
Group name: (none)
Period number: 4
Block: p-block
Standard state: solid at 298 K
Colour: greyish white
Classification: Semi-metallic |
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 The essentials
Name: gallium
Symbol: Ga
Atomic number: 31
Atomic weight: 69.723 (1)
CAS Registry ID: 7440-55-3
Group number: 13
Group name: (none)
Period number: 4
Block: p-block
Standard state: solid at 298 K (but melts only slightly above this temperature)
Colour: silvery white
Classification: Metallic |
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 organic germanium:
Name: organic germanium
Atomic weight:339.32
Symbol:(GeCH2CH2COOH)2O3
Character:White crystallize powder. The uses of organic germanium: The best additive of health food.Medicine and cosmetics.
Free Radical Protection:
Antioxidant protection is important in controlling the mechanisms of inflammation, allergic reactions, and oxidation of LDL-cholesterol, which may otherwise escalate out of control. It also helps in disposal of the waste products created by the immune system fighting infections, by normal cellular metabolism, or by candida albicans and other sources of free radical toxins.
Studies have shown germanium- 132 protects cells against radiation damage in vitro. Since radiation damage is oxidative, this protection suggests germanium-132 has strong antioxidative activity. In studies on experimental animals given the compound prior to exposure to high-level radiation, germanium-132 was found to have free radical scavenging activity. 4
Germanium- 132 also raises the level of reduced glutathione, another free-radical scavenger, thereby affording even more protection against free radicals produced in the body.3
Additional Support for the Immune System
Germanium-132 may support the immune system through production of interferon, which is associated with activation of macrophages and T-suppressor cells, and enhancement of natural killer cell activity - which have all been observed in animals. Other evidence from routine toxicity testing on experimental animals suggests germanium- 132 stimulates the production of interferon and thus may have anticarcinogenic activity~ Interferon inhibits uncontrolled growth, while supporting the immune system. Studies have been completed on these indirect effects of germanium- 132, both in experimental laboratory animals and humans, with significant positive results. 2,4,9,11,12,13,14,15
Protecting Bone Density
Early evidence suggests organic germanium- 132 may be beneficial in protecting bone density. In a twelve month clinical study, elderly people taking germanium- 132 had significantly decreased parathyroid levels at the end of 12 months, with increasing levels of bone mass. Bone mass continued to decrease in controls who did not receive germanium-132.16
Safety Factors and Toxicity
Organic Germanium-132 has been found to be safe and non-toxic even at high oral doses. Each batch must be assayed for composition and purity, and warranted free of germanium dioxide and acrilonitrile.
Details: No LD-50 has been detected for germanium-132. No animal died or showed any external symptoms or internal changes during acute toxicity studies, whether germanium-132 was given orally, subcutaneously or intraperitoneally, at single doses to 40 mI/kg of liquid or daily doses of 5 to 10 gram/ kg solid. No life-threatening side effects have been reported to date in humans. In a 1976 study, thirty patients were given 2.1 grams of germanium- 132 daily for up to 8 weeks after surgery. Some patients had softening of the stool, which reversed within 3 weeks of discontinuation. Prolonged use in another group of patients resulted in some sleep disturbance and/or changes in mental function. When germanium-132 was discontinued, these complaints diminished. The validity of these reports has not been assessed in any long-term studies of healthy subjects. 1,6,7
There are no reports of germanium- 132 being carcinogenic. Evidence to date suggests when given to animals with various cancers, germanium- 132 enhances survival time, slows down tumor growth or retards the spread of metastases. Birth defect studies performed at the Japan Experimental Medical Research Institute showed no abnormalities in form or sex ratio, except at 4 gram/kg or more. No evidence of birth defects was found in a second trial on rats or rabbits, even when administered at a daily dosage 500 mg/kg intravenously or up to 4 gram/kg orally. 10 Suggested use is usually 100 to 200 mg per day. 16
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