Germanium is known as trace element (Ge - 132) and became popular after the publication of the book miracle cure: organic germanium by Japanese engineer Kazuhiko Asai, Founder of the Asai Germanium Research Institute.

Dr. Asai touted that germanium is a nontoxic but potent anti-cancer treatment, useful for numerous other medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Candida albicans (yeast infection) and viral infections.

Recent studies have confirmed that germanium can enhance immune function, particularly in people with auto immune disease, in which immune cells attack the body's own tissue.  There are also studies that report that germanium can block the growth of many different types of cancers in experimental animals.

On the cutting edge some natural healers and doctors use organic germanium to treat the Epstein- Barr virus and other infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

Warning: Some people who consumed high amounts of organic germanium supplements, which where contaminated with germanium dioxide which is a nephrotoxic, died from renal failure.  Please choose your supplements with caution.

Best food sources of germanium include garlic, shiitake mushrooms, ginseng, suma and albevera, wheat, vegetables, bran and leguminous seeds,  suggested doses range from 50 to 150 mg a day.

Minerals are found abundantly in the soil and water of the planet and eventually are taken in by the root systems of plants. Human beings obtain minerals by eating the plants or by eating the animals that eat the plants. If you eat a variety of meats and vegetables in your diet, you can usually depend on getting a sufficiency of minerals.

The minerals in the body play a part in variety of metabolic processes and contribute to the synthesis of such elements as glycogen, protein, and fats.

For the best sources of minerals please consult the USDA website.