DrFeb
Health Guide

Ytterbium

Ytterbium is a chemical element (rare earth metal) that is often confused with essential minerals. While it appears in very tiny amounts in soil and plants, it is strictly an industrial and experimental medical material. It plays **no known role** in human nutrition, energy production, or wellness. Its primary medical interest lies in its ability to fight cancer cells via radiation, not as a daily health supplement.
Evidence BasedDietary Supplement
Ytterbium
VERIFIED SOURCE

Bio-Activity Analysis

Nutritional Necessity Score

SCIENTIFIC DATA VISUALIZATION

Y-Axis
Essentiality (Score 0-10)
Nutrient Type →

Health Benefits & Sources

Why It Is Researched (Not Recommended)

  • Cancer Treatment: Ytterbium-169 is a radioisotope studied for shrinking tumors.
  • Laser Technology: Used in specialized medical lasers for surgery.

Deep Dive

Ytterbium has zero proven dietary benefits. It is classified as a 'rare earth element,' meaning it is found in the earth but not required by human biology. If you see Ytterbium listed in a 'health supplement,' it is likely a mistake (confusion with Yohimbe or Yarrow) or a dangerous unregulated additive. The body does not absorb it for nutritional use; it treats it as a foreign heavy metal.

Natural Food Sources

Ytterbium is found in trace amounts in almost all plant matter because soil contains it. However, these amounts are nutritionally irrelevant.

  • Spinach & Leafy Greens: Trace amounts.
  • Nuts: Trace amounts.
  • Grains: Trace amounts.

Supplementation

Do not supplement Ytterbium. There are no FDA-approved dietary supplements containing this element for human consumption. It is strictly for industrial or experimental medical use.

Top Food Sources

Spinach
Incidental absorption from soil
Wheat Bran
Contains rare earth elements
Brazil Nuts
Known for mineral accumulation
Root Vegetables
Absorbs from soil
Tap Water
Geological leaching

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Ytterbium is not an essential nutrient and should not be taken as a daily supplement. It has no proven health benefits for daily consumption.
Yes, in microscopic trace amounts, but this is incidental. You do not need to seek it out, and the amount you consume is not enough to have any physiological effect.
Specific radioactive forms of Ytterbium are used in research to treat cancer. It emits radiation that can destroy tumor cells. This is strictly a clinical procedure, not a supplement.
Seek medical advice. While likely not fatal in small doses, it may cause stomach upset and introduces a heavy metal into your system with no nutritional benefit.

Safety & Side Effects

Ytterbium is not considered safe for dietary ingestion. While acute toxicity is low, it serves no biological purpose and may displace essential minerals. Inhaling Ytterbium dust (common in mining/manufacturing) can cause lung embolisms. Ingesting salts can cause liver and kidney strain.

Scientific References

  • [1]Toxicology of Rare Earth Elements (Environmental Health Perspectives)
  • [2]Ytterbium-169 in Brachytherapy (Journal of Nuclear Medicine)
  • [3]Biological Interactions of Rare Earth Elements (Biological Trace Element Research)