What Is Ruthenium and Why Is it Important to You?

Ruthenium is a rare earth element with many purposes, including the mitigation of metal toxicity risk in humans.

Ruthenium is a hard, metallic, chemical element that is commonly found as a rare earth metal. Ruthenium’s atomic number is 44 and its atomic weight is 101.07. It is greyish-white in color and a member of the platinum family.[1] At only about 0.0004 parts per million, ruthenium is one of the rarest elements in the earth’s crust.

For such a rare element, ruthenium has a lot of uses. In metallurgy, it's used as a hardener and alloyed with platinum and palladium. The electronics industry uses ruthenium alloys to make water-resistant electrical contacts.[1] The chemical industry also has an interest in ruthenium. Its oxidized form, ruthenium(IV) oxide, is used to produce chlorine and chlorine oxides.[2] Ruthenium even plays a role in human wellness.

How Ruthenium Relates to Health

All life requires certain basic elements — carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. For the human body to function properly, it also requires certain metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, and others.[3] Making sure your body gets enough of these elements can sometimes be a concern. The body needs these elements in specific quantities. Too little leads to deficiency and too much can be toxic. Sodium toxicity[4], potassium toxicity[5], and iron overdose [6] are some examples of what happens when your body’s metals are out of balance.

The importance of moderation cannot be stressed enough, as ruthenium itself can easily become toxic if ingested in large quantities.[7] You should consult your healthcare practitioner before starting any new supplement protocols.

Ruthenium’s Role in Preventing Metal Toxicity

Many metals are toxic to humans even though they exist naturally in the earth. Some toxic metals include arsenic [8], cadmium [9], chromium[10], lead [11], and mercury [12]. Even in tiny quantities, these elements cause significant harm to your body. [13]

Ruthenium (or ruthenium-based compounds) can help serve as blocking agents to keep the harmful metals from circulating in your body too freely.[14] This isn’t the only role ruthenium can play in promoting wellness.

Ruthenium Element Studied in Cancer Treatments

Although not conclusive, some research has evaluated ruthenium complexes for their prospective use in the fight against cancer.[15] Many cancer treatment methods have shown a tendency to be inconsistent and unsuccessful. The quest for more effective treatments has lead to ongoing experimentation and new approaches based on the platinum family are being tested.

Ruthenium complexes have a DNA-binding mode that seems to have produced positive anti-tumor effects in some situations, even being resistant to some tumors.[16] Despite its toxicity when taken in excess, ruthenium can still be beneficial to a person’s wellness.

Our Approach to Wellness

There are many factors that contribute to physical health and total wellness. Ultimately, it boils down to whether the body has the ability to do its job. The body has incredible self-healing mechanisms but they can’t function without proper nourishment and care. Encourage your body to reach its maximum potential by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and performing regular body cleanses. Don't despair if your body is less than optimal right now. Proper care can get back to normal and boost full-body wellness. That’s what healing means to me!

References (16)
  1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID=23950, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/23950 (accessed Mar. 14, 2016).
  2. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID=82848, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/82848 (accessed Mar. 14, 2016).
  3. Colotti, Gianni, Andrea Ilari, Alberto Boffi, and Veronica Morea. "Metals and Metal Derivatives in Medicine." MRMC Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 13.2 (2013): 211-21. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  4. Battarbee HD, Meneely GR. "The toxicity of salt." CRC Crit Rev Toxicol. 1978;5(4):355–376.
  5. Neathery, M.w., D.g. Pugh, W.j. Miller, R.h. Whitlock, R.p. Gentry, and J.c. Allen. "Potassium Toxicity and Acid-Base Balance from Large Oral Doses of Potassium to Young Calves." Journal of Dairy Science 62.11 (1979): 1758-765. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  6. Iron Overdose." : MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 19 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  7. Kruszyna, Harriet, Robert Kruszyna, Jeffrey Hurst, and Roger P. Smith. "Toxicology and Pharmacology of Some Ruthenium Compounds: Vascular Smooth Muscle Relaxation by Nitrosyl Derivatives of Ruthenium and Iridium." Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health6.4 (1980): 757-73. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  8. Ratnaike, R. “Acute and Chronic Arsenic Toxicity.” Postgraduate Medical Journal 79.933 (2003): 391–396. PMC. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  9. Godt, Johannes et al. “The Toxicity of Cadmium and Resulting Hazards for Human Health.” Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology (London, England) 1 (2006): 22. PMC. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  10. Baruthio, François. "Toxic Effects of Chromium and Its Compounds." Biological Trace Element Research Biol Trace Elem Res 32.1-3 (1992): 145-53. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  11. Lead Poisoning." MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Feb. 2016. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  12. Bernhoft, Robin A. “Mercury Toxicity and Treatment: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2012 (2012): 460508.PMC. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  13. Tchounwou, Paul B et al. “Heavy Metals Toxicity and the Environment.” EXS101 (2012): 133–164. PMC. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  14. Malécot, C. O., Bito, V. and Argibay, J. A. (1998), "Ruthenium red as an effective blocker of calcium and sodium currents in guinea-pig isolated ventricular heart cells." British Journal of Pharmacology, 124: 465–472. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0701854.
  15. Kostova, Irena. "Ruthenium Complexes as Anticancer Agents." CMC Current Medicinal Chemistry 13.9 (2006): 1085-107. PubMed. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  16. Brabec, V., and O. Novakova. "DNA Binding Mode of Ruthenium Complexes and Relationship to Tumor Cell Toxicity." Drug Resistance Updates 9.3 (2006): 111-22. PubMed. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.

†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.


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Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATE

Dr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.

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