Tellurium
Also known as: Te, Tellurium
Overview
Tellurium (Te) is a rare, silvery-white, brittle, mildly toxic metalloid found in small amounts in the Earth's crust, often associated with copper and gold deposits. It is primarily used in industrial applications such as electronics, solar panels, and as an alloying agent. Tellurium is not commonly used as a dietary supplement due to its toxicity. Research on tellurium as a dietary supplement is extremely limited, and the available evidence is sparse and of low quality. There are no established health benefits associated with its use as a supplement, and it is generally considered unsafe for human consumption in supplemental form. Its use is not recommended.
Benefits
There is no substantial evidence to support the use of tellurium as a dietary supplement for health benefits. The existing literature does not provide clear, quantified outcomes for its use in humans. Due to its toxicity, any potential benefits are outweighed by the risks. No clinical studies have demonstrated any health benefits from tellurium supplementation.
How it works
There is no well-documented mechanism of action for tellurium in human health when taken as a supplement. Tellurium compounds can alter the oxidant-antioxidant equilibrium, potentially leading to oxidative stress, but this is not typically studied in the context of supplementation. There is limited information on the absorption and bioavailability of tellurium when used as a supplement, and no known molecular targets have been identified for dietary supplementation.
Side effects
Tellurium is considered toxic and can cause adverse health effects. It is not recommended for use as a dietary supplement. Due to the lack of use as a supplement, specific side effects are not well-documented in that context, but general exposure to tellurium can result in toxicity. Pregnant women, children, and individuals with compromised health should avoid exposure to tellurium. There is no documented evidence on drug interactions with tellurium as a supplement, but due to its toxicity, it should be avoided.
Dosage
There are no established dosing guidelines for tellurium as a dietary supplement due to its toxicity and lack of evidence supporting its use. Because of its potential for adverse effects, it is not recommended for consumption.
FAQs
Is tellurium safe to take as a supplement?
No, tellurium is toxic and should not be used as a supplement. Its potential risks outweigh any theoretical benefits.
Are there any health benefits from taking tellurium?
There are no expected health benefits from using tellurium as a supplement. Research does not support its use for any health-related purpose.
Is tellurium a recognized dietary supplement?
No, tellurium is not a recognized dietary supplement and should not be confused with beneficial trace elements. It is primarily used in industrial applications.
Research Sources
- https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/5/e078053 – This BMJ Open article likely discusses broader health-related topics. Without specific context to tellurium, it's challenging to provide a targeted summary, but BMJ Open is a peer-reviewed journal focusing on open access medical research.
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0074558 – This PLOS One article likely covers a scientific study. Without specific context to tellurium, it's challenging to provide a targeted summary, but PLOS One is a peer-reviewed journal focusing on open access multidisciplinary research.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39138905/ – This PubMed entry references a study with limited information available in the provided context. Further investigation would be needed to determine the study's relevance to tellurium supplementation and its potential health effects.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9917046/ – This PMC article likely discusses broader health-related topics. Without specific context to tellurium, it's challenging to provide a targeted summary, but PMC is a free archive of biomedical and life sciences literature.
- https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2023/ma/d3ma00336a – This Royal Society of Chemistry article likely discusses broader health-related topics. Without specific context to tellurium, it's challenging to provide a targeted summary, but RSC is a peer-reviewed journal focusing on open access chemical research.
Supplements Containing Tellurium

VitaComplete
Vitabase

Trace Min
Douglas Laboratories
Multi-Trace Minerals Trace-Mins
Natures Plus

Immune Shield
Sunwarrior

Silver Immune Shield
Sunwarrior

Liquid Vitamin Mineral Rush
Sunwarrior

Beyond Tangy Tangerine
Youngevity