Germanium
Organic Germanium (Ge-Oxy 132)

How did Germanium, a rare element usually thought of as something used in microprocessors, become known as a valuable nutrient? It happened because of the curiosity and insight of one man, Japanese scientist, Dr. Kazuhiko Asai. After discovering the biologic value of Bis-Beta Carboxyethyl Germanium, "Organic Germanium Complex", also called Ge-Oxy 132, he set-up the Asai Research Institute and Clinic in Tokyo, Japan, to conduct clinical trials.

People were treated with Dr. Asai's Organic Germanium (Ge-Oxy 132) at dosages ranging from as low as 50 mg. to as high as 3000 mg. (3 grams) per day. Liver dysfunctions, chronic hepatitis, and various types of cancer (including leukemias) responded well to Ge-Oxy 132. Diseases of the eye, including cataracts, often responded quickly and dramatically. It frequently produced excellent results when given to hypertensive patients. Heart disease, including myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, and Reynaud's disease responded well to dosages as high as 1400 mg. per day. Similar health benefits were also reported in people with mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metal poisoning.

Oral dosages Ge-Oxy 132 have also been found to have impressive immuno-stimulant effects, with no harmful side effects. In controlled studies, it demonstrated marked anti-tumor effects and interferon-inducing activity, and it restored immune function in immune-depressed animals. Studies on immune-suppressed animals and on patients with malignancies or rheumatoid arthritis suggest that Ge-Oxy 132 restores the normal function of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, antibody dependent T-cell killing activity, natural killer cell activity, and increases the numbers of antibody-forming cells, although not enhancing these beyond levels considered normal. Studies on mice demonstrated it's anti-tumor effects on lung carcinoma, chemically induced sarcomas, and leukemias.

The analgesic (pain-killing) effect of Asai's Organic Germanium (Ge-Oxy 132) was recorded early during its clinical use. Whether administered orally or intravenously, it clearly enhanced morphine-induced analgesia, perhaps by activating dopaminergic or serotoninergic neurons in analgesic pathways, and/or by stimulating the release of endogenous enkephalins or endorphins (our natural pain-killers).

The apparent versatility of Ge-Oxy 132 in normalizing health and alleviating major human diseases suggests that it acts at a fundamental level of life function. Dr. Asai suggested that it can, at least partially, substitute for or supplement oxygenation in tissue, because its unique chemical structure strongly attracts and absorbs ("delocalizes") electrons. This facilitates energy generation from high-energy electrons, analogous to the well-understood role of oxygen as an "electron sink" essential for energy-yielding electron transfer processes. In cells which cannot utilize oxygen (for example, cancer cells in solid tumors which appear to be oxygen-sensitive), it is predictable that organic Germanium's presence as an "oxygen-catalyst" could have deleterious effects on malignant cells and may, therefore, demonstrate therapeutic value.

Dr. Asai found that Ge-Oxy 132 occurs in high concentrations in medicinal plants, and is therefore one of the main active principles responsible for the therapeutic action of many age old, natural remedies. He did not regard is as a drug. He stated, "I would rather call it a health-giving substance - it restores health to those afflicted with disease and sustains health in those who are healthy.... Where body cells lack oxygen, indispensable to life, a gradual decline in function is inevitable and the fire of life will reduce until it is extinguished" *.

In its appearance, Germanium is like a metal, although technically it is classified as a semi-metal. Chemically, it resembles silicon in its behavior as a semiconductor - its electrical conductivity varies with temperature, pressure, and bioelectric charge gradients. The element germanium (Ge), atomic number 32, atomic weight 72.6, tends to pack into a lattice-like structure and displays the electrical conductivity of a semi-conductor. Since the elements of similar atomic number are biologically-essential trace elements (e.g; selenium), it's not surprising that germanium plays an essential role in human nutrition and metabolism.

The research and clinical work by Dr. Asai is summarized in his book Miracle Cure: Organic Germanium. The concentrations of germanium he found in foods and other biomaterials range from 0.1 to 1 PPM, corresponding to 0.1 - 1.0 microgram of germanium per gram of food material. Since humans consume about 2 pounds of food per day (wet weight), adults might expect to consume 100 to 1000 micrograms (1 milligram) of germanium per day. Dr. Asai reported that the levels of germanium in medicinal plants range as high as 2000 PPM (roughly 1000 milligrams per pound). Germanium also occurs naturally in peat and coal deposits, apparently having accumulated to levels as high as 10 PPM from the remains of once-living organisms. Acute and chronic toxicity studies were conducted by Dr. Asai and his co-workers using his Organic Germanium Complex" (Ge-Oxy 132) or biscarboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide. Organic Germanium was fed to various species of experimental animals in high doses, equivalent to several grams per day for a human. The compound was found to be essentially nontoxic even at the highest dosages.

* Asai, R., 1980. Miracle Cure: Organic Germanium, New York: Japan Publications/Kodansha International via Harper and Row.

Jarrow Formulas™
Ge-132 Organic Germanium Sesquioxide

Pure Organic Germanium