Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Health Benefits of Organic Germanium

The organic germanium compound can be regarded without exaggeration as an effective means of combating almost any disease. Nonetheless, for assuring its efficacy and the health of the body, the following two conditions have to be met. One is to keep a well balanced diet in order to maintain the acid alkali equilibrium of the body fluids. The other is to relieve stress to keep a stable mental state for maintaining the equilibrium of the autonomic nervous system. - Kazuhiko Asai, PhD
Germanium is a trace mineral that exhibits the properties of both, metals and non-metals. It was first discovered in a mine near Freiberg, Germany in 1885.

 Germanium atom

A German chemist, Clemens Alexander Winkler isolated a new element from the ore and named it germanium.  Germanium is a rather abundant element in the earth crust. It can be found in very high levels in the water of Lourdes, France, where people continue to travel to experience "miraculous" healing. Germanium rarely forms it's own deposits, but can be found in small quantities in the ores of lead, zinc and copper, for example. High concentrations were found in certain coal deposits. Most germanium for industrial use is obtained from zinc ores.

The germanium atom is structured in such a way that it accepts and transmits electrons, giving it a highly valued semiconductor capability. In its inorganic, metallic form, germanium has no therapeutic value whatsoever, but it is widely used in the electronics industry for transistors, fiber-optics, and other diverse applications. On the other hand, organic germanium effectively stimulates electrical impulses on a cellular level and plays an important role as an "oxygen catalyst" within the human body.

Germanium was found in fossilized plants as well as in some foods, certain mineral waters, and in healing plants and herbs. However, it took many decades of persistent research to identify and confirm the healing properties of this mineral.

Japanese researcher, Dr. Asai who dedicated more than thirty years to the investigation of germanium, found out that some plants and mineral waters that are well known for their therapeutic properties also contain relatively high concentrations of germanium. The list includes garlic, broccoli, celery, aloe vera, comfrey, chlorella algae, ginseng, watercress, pearl barley, and shiitake mushrooms. The content of germanium in these plants depends on the soil in which they were grown.

In 1967 Dr. Asai synthesized a new compound that received the name "organic germanium" or germanium-132 (bis-carboxyethyl germanium sesquioxide). Although this compound was created in the laboratory, it is called organic because it contains carbon atoms just like any other organic substance.

Unlike its non-organic counterpart which causes serious damage to kidneys, organic germanium is well known for its health benefits. 

The research shows that organic germanium
  • stimulates immune system and activates body's own defense mechanisms
  • normalizes many physiological imbalances including blood pressure and serum cholesterol
  • fights free radicals
  • helps detoxify the body 
  • chelates heavy metals
  • protects against radiation
  • rejuvenates blood vessels 
  • improves blood circulation
  • improves vision
  • relieves chronic pain and inflammation
  • increases the flow of oxygen in the body
  • improves skin conditions if applied topically as an ointment

Verified clinical research confirms both the safety and the efficacy of organic germanium.

Regular intake of organic germanium may alleviate many health concerns and slow the aging process. In Japan and in Russia organic germanium is used in alternative cancer therapies because of its ability to modify the body's biological response to tumors.

Most chronic diseases start quietly on a cellular level. Cellular injury affects the cell's ability to maintain a steady, normal, or adaptive homeostasis. Homeostasis is the ability to compensate for any changes caused by physical, emotional, or environmental stress. Homeostasis is the necessary condition for optimal health. Lack of sufficient oxygen supply to the cells is considered to be the primary cause of cellular injury. Cells die when they do not have sufficient oxygen supply. The only cells that thrive without cellular oxygen are the cancer cells.
"Cancer, above all other diseases, has countless secondary causes. But even for cancer, there is only one prime cause. Summarized in a few words, the prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the respiration of oxygen in normal body cells by the abnormal process of the cancer cell." - Otto Warburg
Since organic germanium is known to enhance the oxygen supply to the cells, it may be considered the supplement of choice in cancer prevention and in cancer therapy.

Researchers also confirmed that organic germanium increased production of the interferon in the body. Interferon is produced by the leukocytes in the presence of pathogens. This probably is the reason why germanium is so effective in fighting off viruses as well as the tumor cells. A study published in the Journal of Interferon Research* concluded that "Organic germanium restores the normal function of T-cells, B-lymphocytes, natural killer cell activity, and the numbers of antibody-forming cells. Organic germanium has unique physiological activities without any significant side effects."

Dosage

Suggested preventive daily dose of organic germanium is 100 mg. If needed the dose can be increased gradually to 1000mg per day. Dr. Asai administered a daily dose of 1000-2500 mg daily to seriously ill patients. Organic germanium is considered to be non-toxic and can be taken over a longer period of time. It is normally dispelled from the body via the digestive and the urinary tracts within twenty to thirty hours after ingestion.

It is important to remember, however, that organic germanium accelerates the detoxification processes and may cause Herxhaimer** reaction in sensitive individuals if taken in very high doses.

By Dominique Allmon

This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease. Please, consult a certified health care provider before commencing supplementation.

* Journal of Interferon Research Vol. 7, Issue 1. February 1987

**Herxheimer reaction or a healing crisis is an immune system reaction which occurs when the body is unable to quickly eliminate the large amount of toxins that are released during a detoxification program. The most common symptoms are headache, nausea, flue-like symptoms, and skin rush. These symptoms go away as soon as the daily dose is reduced and the body regains its detoxifying capacity.


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Health Benefits of Organic Germanium by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.