Rubidium is a mineral element with the atomic number 37 that is present in the earth’s crust, in seawater and in the human body which contains about 350 mg. Rubidium plays an essential role in the synthesis of enzymes. One such enzyme, glucoamylase, is very essential for the proper absorption of glucose in the body. Without rubidium to help the action of the enzyme, the glucose molecules would not be able to get absorbed efficiently which can lead to diabetes.
Rubidium also enhances the production of many hormones and various other enzymes. The working of the pituitary gland, as well as the salivary and lachrymal glands, is encouraged with the presence of rubidium. It is also useful in the synthesis of serotonin and ensures presence of enough serotonin in the body which alleviates depression and mental imbalances and can help with the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Rubidium, along with caesium and potassium, has been shown to be effective in preventing cancer. Rubidium helps to regulate the flow of iron into the bloodstream, which in turn helps in better absorption of iron. When there is enough iron present in the blood, rubidium acts as a block and stops more iron from being let into the blood which may be one reason it can help to prevent cancer. Cancerous cells thrive on iron.
The incidence of cancer in the Hopi native tribe of Arizona in the US is one in 1000 as compared to one in four in developed nations as a whole. Hopi food runs higher in all the essential minerals than conventional foods and it is especially rich in caesium, potassium and rubidium because the soil where they reside is volcanic.
These people live chiefly on desert grown flint corn (Zea mays indurata) products but instead of using baking soda they use the ash of chamisa leaves (Ericameria nauseosa), a desert grown plant. The analysis of this ash shows it to be very rich in rubidium. The Hopi also eat many fruits per day, especially apricots, including the kernels.
In 1985, the incidence of cancer among the Pueblo native tribe was also one in 1000, the same as the Hopi, as their food at that time was essentially the same. But unlike the Hopi, the Pueblo began to use certain items from outside their environment and supermarkets were introduced to the area. Today, the incidence of cancer among the Pueblos has now risen to one in four. The higher incidence of cancer is obviously due to reduced levels of caesium, potassium and rubidium in supermarket foods.
The natives who live in Central America and on the highlands of Peru and Ecuador also have very low incidences of cancer and again the soil in these areas is volcanic. Fruit from the areas has been obtained and analysed for rubidium and caesium and found to run very high in both elements. Cases have been reliably reported where people with advance inoperable cancer have gone to live with these Indians and found that all tumour masses disappear within a few months.
Cancer is also unknown among the Hunza of Pakistan. They are mainly vegetarian and great fruit eaters, often consuming up to 40 apricots per day including the kernels, either directly or as a meal. They drink at least two litres of mineral water from the natural springs that surround them. This water has been analysed and found to be very rich in caesium. Since the soil is volcanic in nature, it must be concluded that it will also be rich in potassium and rubidium.
WARNING: In the body, because rubidium substitutes for potassium, too much can be dangerous. Large amounts cause hyperirritability and spasms.
Rubidium deficiency
Rubidium deficiency can lead to hemosiderosis which is a form of iron overload disorder resulting in the accumulation of hemosiderin. Other symptoms of deficiency are:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Facial hair
- Hair fall
- Hormonal imbalance
- Infertility
- Mental imbalances
- Parkinson’s disease
- Weight gain
Highest sources of rubidium in alphabetical order
NOTE: Plant foods must be grown in soils that are not depleted of rubidium therefore organically grown foods and those from the sea and volcanic areas are best sources.
Related subjects
- The A-Z of nutrients
- Caesium
- Cancer
- Infertility
- Iron
- Minerals
- Potassium
- Psychological disorders