Elements In Our Body by Ethan Josh

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Elements In Our Body

Published on Nov 18, 2015

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

ELEMENTS IN OUR HUMAN BODY

BY: ETHAN JOSH TAMONDONG AND CHRISTIAN LEE AGRAVIADOR

VANADIUM

Vanadium is a chemical element with symbol V and atomic number 23. It is a hard, silvery gray, ductile and malleable transition metal. The element is found only in chemically combined form in nature, but once isolated artificially, the formation of an oxide layer stabilizes the free metal somewhat against further oxidation.

Vanadium is a trace mineral that is found in many foods. Scientists aren’t sure, but your body may need vanadium in tiny amounts. It may be involved in normal bone growth. However, scientists aren't sure exactly what effects vanadium may have. They do know high doses of vanadium may be unsafe.

Most of the studies using vanadium have been animal studies. Only a few clinical trials involving humans have been done. Because of that, vanadium isn't recommended for any disease or condition. However, it may have an effect on blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Body Building/Performance Enhancement:
Vanadium is sometimes advertised as a sports supplement, but there is no evidence that it works to boost performance. In fact, one clinical trial examining vanadium use in athletes found no benefit at all.

Photo by Joint Base Lewis McChord

Diabetes:
Several animal studies and a few very small human studies suggest that vanadium may lower blood sugar levels and improve sensitivity to insulin in people with type 2 diabetes. In one study of people with type 2 diabetes, vanadium also lowered their total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

Photo by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL

However, the dosages used in these studies were far above the tolerable upper intake level (UL). Scientists don't know whether taking vanadium at those levels is safe -- or whether it actually works. Other studies suggest that vanadium has no effect on blood sugar levels.

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High doses of vanadium (more than 1.8 mg per day) may cause liver or kidney damage.

Photo by Hey Paul Studios

In addition to the blood sugar-control benefits for diabetics, vanadium may also help in treating or preventing osteoporosis,. For osteoporosis, vanadium appears to deposit in the bones, which could help in strengthening them. Another possible benefit of taking vanadium supplements is protecting against colon cancer, but this claim is based only on animal studies.

What will happen if you have insufficient vanadium in your body?

It will result to your blood sugar skyrocketting out of control some scientist even said that having low amounts of vanadium will increase the chance of you acquiring cancer.

How about if you have more vanadium than the suggested level?

Vanadium can cause kidney and lung damage if you have so much of it in your body

HYDROGEN

One of the major ways that hydrogen is used in the body is in water. Water is made up of two-thirds hydrogen atoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, water is so important that it makes up over 60 percent of your body.

Because of hydrogen, the cells are able to remain hydrated, toxins and waste are able to be eliminated from the body, nutrients are able to be transported to the cells that need them, your joints are lubricated, and your body's immune system is able to send defensive cells to fight of infection-causing fungus, bacterias and viruses.

Photo by Carol Browne

Hydrogen also plays a crucial role in energy production in the body. For our bodies to function, they must have energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Your body gains energy through consuming foods rich in substances such as carbohydrates. Once ingested, the body uses enzymes to break down your food into more basic substances such as glucose. These basic parts are then further broken down through glycolysis and beta oxidation, leaving your body with acetyl CoA. Acetyl CoA is then broken down into hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. The hydrogen ions are transported to the mitochondria of the cells, which then uses the hydrogen to create ATP.

Hydrogen may also be the missing link in slowing down the aging process. The aging of tissues in the body is believed to be caused by substances called free radicals in the body. Inside many of the tissues in the body are stored (pooled) supplies of hydrogen. According to Dr. Flanagan, this hydrogen protects us from free radical damage. Unfortunately, as we age, these storages dry up. This leaves the tissue exposed to free radicals, which leads to the tissue damage seen with aging.

High concentrations in the air cause a deficiency of oxygen with the risk of unconsciousness or death. Check oxygen content before entering area. No odor warning if toxic concentrations are present. Measure hydrogen concentrations with suitable gas detector.

The minor effects of too much hydrogen may cause nausea, tearing of the eyes, headaches or loss of sleep. And airway problems (bronchial constriction) in some asthma patients.

The major health effects of too much hydrogen are rapid unconsciousness, "knockdown" or immediate collapse within 1 to 2 breaths, breathing stops and death within minutes.

Exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, or throat. It may also cause difficulty in breathing for some asthmatics.

Ethan Josh