“Why would there be gadolinium in food supplements? Some of my friends use the Verve energy drink and I noticed it was in it. Isn’t that a toxic metal that is not part of a normal diet and can cause the incurable disease NSF?”   Very interesting question….and I have to admit that I don’t know the answer! But you are right that gadolinium is a metal associated with NSF. So, for those of you who don’t know, gadolinium is a “paramagnetic metal ion”…and this makes it a good base for the contrast that is used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Now, do I know 100% why this is true? Definitely not, I’m not an expert in chemistry! However, these gadolinium-based contrast agents are usually used when a patient has a MRI to help make a diagnosis clearer. There have been reports of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) in association with some individuals who received contrast with their MRIs. NSF causes hardening of the skin and connective tissues. This may decrease the person’s mobility as they are unable to bend their joints. NSF can eventually become worse and cause death. However, the FDA states that only those with severe renal insufficiency or patients just before or after liver transplantation or those with chronic liver disease with some degree of renal insufficiency are at risk for NSF. These patients are not able to clear the gadolinium from their body because their kidneys are not functioning properly.   Now, as far as to why this energy drink would add it to their ingredients? I’m not sure. The ingredient list on this product reads like the periodic table of elements. I’m sorry that I can’t answer why gadolinium would be added to a supplement, but I also couldn’t tell you why half the items in this drink are there. I have to admit that I am not a promoter of energy drinks and feel that all the energy we need should come from the foods we eat. If there are ingredients that I can’t pronounce or understand what they are there for, I would tend to avoid it. My advice to your friend? Stick with home-made smoothies made from natural ingredients if you need some extra calories or energy and avoid the highly processed products promoted in grocery stores and convenience stores!   Good luck! Lori   References: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/gcca/qa_200705.htm http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01638.html