For such a rare element, ruthenium has a wide range of uses. In metallurgy, it serves as a hardener when alloyed with platinum and palladium. The electronics industry relies on ruthenium alloys to create water-resistant electrical contacts. In the chemical industry, ruthenium, particularly in its oxidized form, ruthenium(IV) oxide, is utilized to produce chlorine and chlorine oxides. Surprisingly, ruthenium even has connections to human health and wellness.
How Ruthenium Relates to Health
All life forms require basic elements like carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. For the human body to function properly, it also needs certain metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, and others. Ensuring your body receives these elements in the right amounts is crucial since both deficiencies and excesses can lead to health problems. For instance, too little of these metals can cause deficiencies, while too much can be toxic, leading to conditions like sodium toxicity, potassium toxicity, and iron overdose.
Moderation is key, as excessive intake of ruthenium can also be toxic. It is essential to consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement regimen.
Ruthenium’s Role in Preventing Metal Toxicity
Many metals, though naturally occurring in the earth, can be toxic to humans. Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury are some examples. Even in tiny amounts, these elements can cause significant harm to the body. Ruthenium (or ruthenium-based compounds) can act as blocking agents to prevent these harmful metals from circulating freely in the body. However, this is just one of the roles ruthenium can play in promoting wellness.
Ruthenium Studied in Cancer Treatments
Although not yet conclusive, some research has explored the potential use of ruthenium complexes in cancer treatment. Traditional cancer treatments can often be inconsistent and ineffective, leading researchers to experiment with new approaches, including those based on the platinum family. Ruthenium complexes have shown a DNA-binding mode that appears to produce positive anti-tumor effects in some cases, even demonstrating resistance to certain tumors. Despite its toxicity in high doses, ruthenium may still offer benefits for human health.
Our Approach to Wellness
Many factors contribute to overall health and wellness, but it ultimately comes down to the body’s ability to heal itself. The body has remarkable self-healing mechanisms, but these cannot function without proper nourishment and care. Encourage your body to reach its full potential by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and performing regular body cleanses. Even if your health is not optimal now, proper care can restore and enhance your overall wellness. That, to me, is the essence of healing.
