Trace Elements in Medicine (Moscow)
2021, 22(2): 03-16
TOPICAL PAPERS

CONDITIONALLY ESSENTIAL ULTRA TRACE ELEMENTS IN NUTRI-TION OF VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS. NICKEL, LITHIUM, VANADIUM, GERMANIUM

A.V. Galchenko^1,2, A.A. Sherstneva³

¹ Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, Ust'inskiyProezd Str. 2/14, 109240, Moscow, Russia
² Peoples` Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya str. 6, 117198, Moscow, Russia
3 I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Trubetskaya str. 8/2, Moscow, Russia

DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2021-22-2-3-16 

ABSTRACT. A brief review of the physiology of conditionally essential ultra trace elements and their status among vegetarians and vegans is presented. Data on the physiological role of the conditionally essential ultra trace elements are very limited. However, some of their essential functions are known. Nickel is involved in hematopoiesis, insulin signaling. More is known about its toxic effects. Since nickel is found primarily in plant foods, vegans and vegetarians may consume higher amounts of it. Moreover, the bioavailability of nickel increases significantly against the background of methionine, calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium deficiencies, which are more common among vegans. Lithium is known to potentiate the inhibitory activity of magnesium in the central nervous system, which is its most studied effect. It is also used in the treatment of manic conditions. Lithium comes mainly from plant foods, but adequate potassium status reduces the body's ability to accumulate lithium. Vanadium improves insulin sensitivity and increases the intracellular glucose transport. Its deficiency is accompanied by a violation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, aggravates the progression of type 2 diabetes. The main food sources of vanadium are vegetables and seafood. According to available data, the vanadium dietary content of vegans and vegetarians is comparable to that of people on a mixed diet. The physiological role of germanium has been studied poorly. It is part of cytochrome oxidase and carbonic anhydrase. There is evidence that germanium is involved in the regulation of gene expression, hematopoiesis, and also has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activity. Status of this element among the population has not been sufficiently studied. According to available data, germanium is distributed quite equal in food.

KEYWORDS: vegetarian, vegan, conditionally essential elements, ultra trace elements, nickel, lithium, vanadium, germanium.