Monatomic Plant Derived Iridium
Also known as: Iridium (Ir), Monatomic iridium, Colloidal iridium, Plant-derived iridium, Iridium
Overview
Iridium is a rare, inert transition metal (atomic number 77) found in the Earth’s crust. The terms 'monatomic iridium' and 'plant-derived iridium' are primarily marketing terms and lack scientific validation in the context of dietary supplements. Iridium is not biologically essential and is not naturally incorporated into plant metabolism. While iridium complexes are being explored in experimental oncology for their anticancer properties, there is no established use or evidence to support the use of iridium as a dietary supplement for human nutrition. Research is currently limited to in vitro and animal studies, with no human clinical trials assessing the safety or efficacy of iridium supplementation. Therefore, claims of health benefits associated with 'monatomic' or 'plant-derived' iridium lack scientific substantiation.
Benefits
There is no evidence to support any health benefits of iridium supplementation in humans. Preclinical studies have investigated iridium(III) complexes for their antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on cancer cells in vitro and in animal models. These studies suggest potential anticancer activity, such as inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cancer cell migration. However, these findings are preliminary and do not translate to benefits from iridium supplementation in healthy individuals. No clinical trials have been conducted to assess the effects of iridium supplementation on any health outcome in humans.
How it works
The mechanism of action of iridium is primarily studied in the context of experimental oncology. Iridium(III) complexes have been shown to target mitochondria, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), and inhibit cancer cell migration in vitro. These complexes may also interact with specific transporters in cancer cells, such as CTR1 and MRP2. However, the mechanism of action of iridium in healthy human cells or its interaction with other body systems is not well understood, as it is not a biologically essential element and has not been studied in this context.
Side effects
There is a lack of human safety data regarding iridium supplementation. Animal studies on iridium(III) carbene complexes have shown acute toxicity at high doses. While chronic administration at lower doses in mice did not show significant adverse effects, these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to humans. Due to the absence of human studies, the common, uncommon, and rare side effects of iridium supplementation are unknown. Drug interactions and contraindications are also not established. Caution is advised, especially for pregnant, lactating, and pediatric populations, as no data exists for these groups.
Dosage
There is no established minimum effective dose, optimal dosage range, or maximum safe dose for iridium supplementation in humans. Animal studies have shown that mice tolerated up to 15 mg/kg intravenously three times per week without significant adverse effects, but this dosage cannot be directly translated to humans. Due to the lack of safety and efficacy data, no specific recommendations can be made regarding the timing, form, absorption factors, or required cofactors for iridium supplementation. It is crucial to avoid using iridium supplements due to the absence of safety data and potential toxicity.
FAQs
Is there any scientific evidence to support the use of monatomic or plant-derived iridium?
No, there is no peer-reviewed evidence from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or human clinical trials supporting the use of monatomic or plant-derived iridium as a dietary supplement.
Is 'plant-derived iridium' a legitimate source of iridium?
The term 'plant-derived iridium' is a marketing term. Iridium is not biologically active in plants or essential for human health, and plants do not naturally accumulate or metabolize iridium.
Is iridium supplementation safe?
Safety in humans is unknown. Animal data suggest potential toxicity at high doses. Due to the lack of human studies, caution is advised, and iridium supplementation should be avoided.
What are the expected results of taking iridium supplements?
There are no expected benefits in humans based on current evidence. Preclinical studies focus on iridium complexes for anticancer applications, but these findings are not relevant to supplementation in healthy humans.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34299041/ – This in vitro study compared the anticancer activity of various piano-stool iridium complexes. The study found that these complexes exhibit antiproliferative activity in cancer cells, exploring the structure-activity relationships. However, this research is preclinical and does not provide evidence for human supplementation.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.1025544/full – This systematic review examined the current status of iridium-based complexes against lung cancer. The review found that iridium(III) complexes target mitochondria, induce apoptosis, and inhibit migration in lung cancer cells, including cisplatin-resistant lines. This review highlights the potential of iridium complexes in cancer therapy, but it does not support the use of iridium as a dietary supplement.
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2316615121 – This animal study investigated the toxicity of iridium(III) carbene complexes in mice. The study found acute toxicity at high doses, while chronic administration at lower doses (up to 15 mg/kg IV) was tolerated without significant adverse effects. This research provides valuable information on the toxicology of iridium complexes, but it is not directly applicable to human safety regarding supplementation.
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.3c04867 – This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of iridium complexes and their potential applications. It provides insights into the chemical properties of iridium compounds but does not address the safety or efficacy of iridium as a dietary supplement for human consumption.
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00906 – This research explores iridium complexes as potential therapeutic agents, focusing on their design and biological activity. The study contributes to the understanding of iridium's potential in medicinal chemistry but does not provide evidence supporting its use as a dietary supplement.
