 |
|
|
The following is a letter to the editor that appeared in the
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on October
18, 1995 - Vol. 274, No. 15. This article was written by doctors
from the Food and Drug Administration about the dangers of Silver.
This, of course, doesn't mean ANYTHING of itself, but it does
lend support to the other sources warning of regular colloidal
silver use. While occasional use of Colloidal Silver may appear
helpful, we at Pure Health Systems believe there is a much better
way to support the immune system and resist Bacterial or Viral
Health Threats!
To the Editor -- Silver compounds have been used as medicinals
for centuries. (1) In the 19th century, colloidal silver proteins
(CSP's) were promoted as cure-alls to prevent and treat diseases
such as tetanus and rheumatism. In this century up until World
War II, CSP's were widely used to treat colds and gonorrhea. However,
in recent decades, the medicinal use of silver has been largely
replaced by safer and more effective therapies.
Since 1990, interest has resurged in promoting CSP products as
"essential" mineral supplements with multiple health
claims (Roma Egli, FDA Nontraditional Drug Compliance Branch,
written communication, February 1995). For example, advertising
materials in health food stores promote CSP use in more than 650
different diseases. Colloidal silver proteins are being touted
as powerful antimicrobials against viruses, bacteria, parasites,
and fungi, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes,
Candida, and tuberculosis. The CSP's also have been advertised
as "an immune system stimulant and anti-inflammatory agent,"
for use in conditions such as diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome,
allergies, and cancer. One manufacturer quoted a researcher in
an unpublished article, "If we cannot assimilate silver for
some reason or as the tissue ages, we develop a silver deficiency
and an impaired immune system leading to cancer. When silver was
present, the cancer cell dedifferentiated and the body was restored."
Initially available in northwestern states, CSP's are now widely
available throughout the United States because of aggressive marketing
by distributors. They are recommended for use in adults, pregnant
and lactating women, and children; they are available as oral
solutions, aerosols, intravaginal douches, and injectables; and
they are labeled as nontoxic and void of drug interactions. Recently,
combination products became available as mixed mineral supplements
and as a mixed CSP - colloidal copper-menthol product for minor
skin ailments.
Contrary to these promotional claims, silver is not an essential
mineral supplement and has no known physiologic function. The
use of silver products as germicidals has chiefly been replaced.
Efficacy claims for the treatment of infectious diseases such
as tuberculosis, malaria, and systemic fungal infections or for
the prevention of cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),
and diabetes remain unproven. Use of such products with unsubstantiated
claims can delay appropriate medical intervention, resulting in
deleterious consequences.
Silver is not without toxicity. Silver accumulates in the body
and may result in bluish skin discoloration (argyria). (2) While
silver deposits derive from dietary (eg. mushrooms, milk, and
bran), environmental, or industrial exposures, the indiscriminate
use of CSP's and other silver medicinals adds unnecessary exposure
and may result in argyria. Although primarily a cosmetic concern,
argyria is irreversible and has no effective treatment. In addition,
neurologic deficits (3) and diffuse silver deposition in visceral
organs (4) have been reported with long-term use of oral silver
products. Renal damage and metal fume fever have been reported
with high silver exposures. We are concerned that renewed interest
in CSP's among health food enthusiasts could lead to increased
toxicity. The Food and Drug Administration's Nontraditional Drug
Compliance Branch is currently evaluating the legitimacy of marketing
these products. Meanwhile, to provide proper advice to their patients,
it is essential for physicians to query over-the-counter drug
and food supplement use.
Man C. Fung, MD
Michael Weintraub, MD
Debra L. Bowen, MD
Food and Drug Administration
Rockville, MD
Below are 4 of the best immune system support products available today:
Immune system support-Homeopathic Remedies
Immune system support-Beta Glucan
Immune system support-Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide
Immune system support-Colostrum
Bibliography:
- Goodman LS, Gilman A. Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological
Basis of Therapeutics, 5th ed. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing
Co Inc.; 1975:930-931, 999-1000.
- Greene RM, Su WPD. Argyria. Am Fam Physician. 1987;36:151-154
- Westhofen M, Schafer H. Generalized argyrosis in man: neurological,
ultrastructural and x-ray microanalytical findings. Arch Otorhinolaryngol.
1986;243:260-264
- Marshall JP, Schneider RP. Systemic argyria secondary to topical
silver nitrate. Arch Dermatol. 1977;113:1077-1079.
|
|
|
Collodial
Silver Proteins Marketed as Health Supplements
