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Types of Vanadium: Forms & Bioavailability

Evidence:Preliminary
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Forms Comparison

FormBioavailabilityBest ForElemental Content
Vanadyl SulfateLow (1-5%)Most common and studied supplement form — poor absorption but most evidence31% elemental vanadium by weight
Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (BMOV)ModerateResearch compound with improved absorption — not widely available as supplement
Sodium OrthovanadateLowResearch use — more commonly used in laboratory studies than as a supplement

Vanadyl Sulfate

Bioavailability: Low (1-5%). Best for: Most common and studied supplement form — poor absorption but most evidence. Elemental content: 31% elemental vanadium by weight.

Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (BMOV)

Bioavailability: Moderate. Best for: Research compound with improved absorption — not widely available as supplement.

Sodium Orthovanadate

Bioavailability: Low. Best for: Research use — more commonly used in laboratory studies than as a supplement.

Full Vanadium Guide

References

  1. RCTCohen N, Halberstam M, Shlimovich P, et al. (1995). Oral vanadyl sulfate improves hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Journal of Clinical Investigation. DOI PubMed
  2. Thompson KH, Orvig C (2006). Vanadium in diabetes: 100 years from Phase 0 to Phase I. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry. DOI PubMed
  3. Vasseghian Y, Sadeghi Rad S, Vilas-Boas JA, Khataee A (2021). A global systematic review, meta-analysis, and risk assessment of the concentration of vanadium in drinking water resources.. Chemosphere. DOI PubMed
  4. Annangi B, Bonassi S, Marcos R, Hernández A (2016). Biomonitoring of humans exposed to arsenic, chromium, nickel, vanadium, and complex mixtures of metals by using the micronucleus test in lymphocytes.. Mutation research. Reviews in mutation research. DOI PubMed
  5. Carvalho-Silva JM, Dos Reis AC (2025). Systematic review of silver and vanadium-based antibiofilm agents: mechanisms and efficacy in oral biofilms.. Future microbiology. DOI PubMed
  6. ReviewGhalichi F, Ostadrahimi A, Saghafi-Asl M (2022). Vanadium and diabetic dyslipidemia: A systematic review of animal studies.. Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS). DOI PubMed
  7. ReviewGhalichi F, Ostadrahimi A, Saghafi-Asl M (2022). Vanadium and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetes: A systematic review of animal studies.. Health promotion perspectives. DOI PubMed
Show 4 more references
  1. ReviewUlbricht C, Chao W, Costa D, Culwell S, et al. (2012). An evidence-based systematic review of vanadium by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.. Journal of dietary supplements. DOI PubMed
  2. ReviewSmith DM, Pickering RM, Lewith GT (2008). A systematic review of vanadium oral supplements for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.. QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians. DOI PubMed
  3. Robinette LM, Johnstone JM, Srikanth P, Bruton AM, et al. (2024). Evaluating mineral biomarkers as mediators and moderators of behavioural improvements in a randomised controlled trial of multinutrients for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.. The British journal of nutrition. DOI PubMed
  4. Xia J, Yu J, Xu H, Zhou Y, et al. (2023). Comparative effects of vitamin and mineral supplements in the management of type 2 diabetes in primary care: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Pharmacological research. DOI PubMed