Response to question about colloidal silver, asking for references. Suggest you read 'ColloidalSilver" by Zane Baranowski. It gives an interesting history, working theory of why it works, and has lots of refererences. Too many for me to type out here. If the questioner is serious, he will want to read the booklet himself, anyway. Among points made: - With a particle size .015 to .001 micron friendly intestinal bacteria not likely to be affected, especially if held in mouth for a while before swallowing. In case of intestinal infection, effective to use in enema or colonic. - a concentration of 3 to 5 ppm, yielding 15 to 25 mcg of silver per teaspoon will be sufficient to be both safe and effective to consume on daily basis. (Personally, I would not take a medication on daily basis.) - Dr. Larry Ford,M.D. of UCLA School of Med. reported Nov. 1, 1988, "I tested them (thej silsver solutions) using standard antimicrobial tests for disinfectants. The silver solutions were antibacterial for concentrations of 10/5 [I cannot type 10 to the fifth, as I think this is called.] organisims mer m. of Streptococcus Pyogenes, Staphylococcus Aureus, Neisseria Gonorrhea, Gardnerella Vaginalis, Salmonella Typhi, and other enteric pashogens, and fungicidal for Candida Albicans, Candida Globata, and M Furfur." - Silver kills some 650 disease organisms, is not toxic, and resistant strains fail to develop. An antibiotic kills perhaps half a dozen disease organisims. - Most accepted theory is that silver disables the specific enzyme that these pathogenic organisms utilize for their metabolism. Making them unable to "breathe." - CS is by no means a new thing. It was widely used by American doctors until antibiotics became the big craze. It was taken orally; administered by intravenous and intra-muscularl injection; used in douches, eye drops, gargles, topical application, etc. The booklet lists about 90 conditions/diseases for which it was used by medical doctors in the first decades of the century befdore antibiotics became popular. If you really want to know what it works for, though, there is just one way to really know. No matter how many different opinions you read or entertain, or how many studies you study, you won't know till you TRY IT YOURSELF. I have used it many times in many ways and am very satisfied with the results. It is great for your pets, too.

-- Shivani Arjuna (SArjuna@aol.com), October 30, 1999

Answers

Response to Colloidal silvser: references,etc.

For those who wish to consider all sides of subject, here is another view. If you have questions, there is a toll-free number at the end of the alert. Note that the alert pertains to ready-made products; however, certain parts of it (such as that relating to cures) is applicable to the home-made variety. Please also note that I do not say you should not spend your money as you see fit; I only say you might want to read another viewpoint.

SafetyAlerts August 17, 1999

Over The Counter Drugs Containing Colloidal Silver Considered Unsafe, Misleading

WASHINGTON, D.C. (SafetyAlerts) - The FDA has issued a decision declaring that all over- the-counter (OTC) drug products containing colloidal silver or silver salts are not recognized as safe and effective, and are misbranded.

In recent years, colloidal silver preparations of unknown formulation have been appearing in stores claiming to treat adults and children for diseases including HIV, AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, malaria, lupus, syphilis, scarlet fever, shingles, herpes, pneumonia, typhoid, tetanus and many others.

The indiscriminate use of colloidal silver solutions has resulted in cases of argyria, a permanent blue-gray discoloration of the skin and deep tissues.

The colloidal silver products have been classified as misbranded because adequate directions cannot be written so that the general public can use these drugs safely for their intended purposes. They are also misbranded when their labeling falsely suggests that there is substantial scientific evidence to establish that the drugs are safe and effective for their intended uses.

According to the ruling, a colloidal silver product for any drug use will first have to be approved by FDA under the new drug application procedures.

Colloidal silver ingredients and silver salts include silver proteins, mild silver protein, strong silver protein, silver chloride, and silver iodide. The dosage form of these colloidal silver products is usually oral, but product labeling also contains directions for topical and, occasionally, intravenous use.

In reaching its decision, FDA considered all of the information described in the proposed rule (October 15, 1996) and submitted by the public in response to that proposal, the Final Rule becomes effective on September 16, 1999, 30 days after publication.

Consumers with questions about these products can contact the FDA at 1-888-INFO-FDA

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), October 30, 1999.

Response to Colloidal silvser: references,etc.

Don't forget the follow-up commentary to that article!

Re:the above post

From Dr. McCain
-- matt (whome@somewhere.nz), October 30, 1999.

Response to Colloidal silvser: references,etc.

The FDA is not interested in home remedies and refuses to endorse any of them and that includes Colloidal Silver. The FDA is the friend of the big Drug Companies and is NOT the friend of the people.

As far as I'm concerned the FDA can go to hell! I will be responsible for my own health and I don't need the FDA to tell me how to do it!

-- freddie (freddie@thefreeloader.com), October 31, 1999.

Response to Colloidal silvser: references,etc.

Another view.

www.hbci.com/~wenonah/hydro/ag.htm

HEAVY METAL TOXICOLOGY

Dr. Theodore B. Hoekman

The heightened concern for reduction of environmental pollution that has been occurring over the past 20  25 years has stimulated active continuing research and literature on the toxicology of heavy metals. While the toxic effects of these substances is a widespread concern in the modern industrial context, Man has succeeded in poisoning himself with them repeatedly throughout recorded history. One historian/toxicologist contends that the Fall of the Roman Empire was hastened by the chronic lead poisoning experienced by the ruling classes who had water conducted through lead plumbing and drank wine from goblets which had lead/alloy composition. Virtually all metals can produce toxicity when ingested in sufficient quantities, but there are several which are especially important because either they are so pervasive, or produce toxicity at such low concentrations. When speaking of heavy metals we generally mean, lead, mercury, iron, copper, manganese, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, aluminum, silver, and beryllium.

In general heavy metals produce their toxicity by forming complexes or "ligands" with organic compounds. These modified biological molecules lose their ability to function properly, and result in malfunction or death of the affected cells. The most common groups involved in ligand formation are oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. When metals bind to these groups they may inactive important enzyme systems, or affect protein structure.

The following is a catalogue of some important toxic heavy metals and the pharmacologic agents and rationales used to treat them. There is a considerable cross-over in many of the toxic manifestations of the different metals, and in the agents used to treat the toxicity.

Many of our " Toys " have Toxic Potential.

Very, Very Little is Too Much !

Symptoms of Elemental Toxicities

Very small quantities of these atoms can cause serious biological damage !

From the MERCK INDEX  6

SILVER: Convulsions, coma, blood dyscrasias, dermatitis, argyria may occur following prolonged use. Heart (especially aortitis or aneurysm), liver or renal disease, gastroenteritis, paralysis, nephritis.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), October 31, 1999.

Response to Colloidal silvser: references,etc.

Fantasy always beats the hell out of common sense. Somehow it makes you feel smarter than everyone else. I like that feeling. It's like you know a special secret with maybe even a secret handshake plus you're the center of attention at churchy or beer parties cause you *know* some special stuff. Glug it down. It won't help, but that's not the point is it? You're still smarter than *them*. That's what counts, right?

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), October 31, 1999.

Response to Colloidal silvser: references,etc.

From Dr. McCain 8-21-99 Please add this to the FDA page about colloidal silver. I am outraged at this....I have used this product to save hundreds of lives of not only humans but animals as well!!! My responses are under each paragraph in quotations: FDA: Silver in Over-the-Counter Drugs May Not Be Safe August 19, 1999 NEW YORK - Over-the-counter drug products that contain colloidal silver or silver salts have not been shown to be safe or effective, announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday. The FDA also said that the general public cannot use these types of drugs safely because adequate directions for the products could not be written. "Get this... general public (that's you!) CAN NOT use Colloidal Silver anymore because they can't write adequate directions. How hard is it to write 1/2 teaspoon in water once or twice a day?????" Products containing silver particles have been appearing in stores in recent years, note FDA officials. Labels on these products include claims that the products can treat adults and children for diseases including AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, malaria, lupus, syphilis, scarlet fever, shingles, herpes, pneumonia, typhoid, and tetanus. But FDA officials write that such products are misbranded ''when their labeling falsely suggests that there is substantial scientific evidence that the drugs are safe and effective for their intended use.'' "This is simply not true. Colloidal Silver has been tested, written up in medical journals and found completely safe and non-toxic and effective in treating hundreds of organisms. I have had thousands of people use it and find it very effective as a safe, natural antibiotic." According to the FDA Final Rule issued Tuesday, ``a colloidal silver product for any drug use will first have to be approved by the FDA under the new drug application procedures.'' "They are basically not going to permit anyone to say anything about colloidal silver being a natural antibiotic. No references to the incredible value in treating some of the hardest to kill microorganisms. Alarming, isn't it, considering all we are hearing from the CDC is that the microbes are becoming antibiotic resitant and we have to find other solutions. Well folks, here goes one!!! I am sure most of you know by now that to get a "drug" approved it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and takes years." Use of colloidal silver solutions, where silver particles are suspended in a gelatinous base, can result in argyria, ``a permanent blue-gray discoloration of the skin and deep tissues,'' notes the FDA. "This is also lies. Have you ever seen any Colloidal Silver on the market in a gelatinous base? I have personally tested Colloidal Silver on dogs, cats, horses, goats & ferrets, and found it effective EVERY TIME! Thousands of our members have taken it with no side effects EVER reported of any kind and NO ONE ever got gray skin. Now you know who has put out all the 'turn your skin gray' disinformation!" The products in question include colloidal silver ingredients and silver salts such as silver proteins, mild silver protein, strong silver protein, silver chloride, and silver iodide. The drugs are usually in oral dosage form, but sometimes exist in topical (to be applied to the skin) and even intravenous forms. "Silver iodine??? Good grief this has nothing to do with colloidal silver!!! I think they seed clouds with this silver iodide stuff! Folks this is very serious as it an out and out removal of your rights to choose safe, natural alternatives to the chemical killers being dished out by the mainstream medical people. We all know this is about money and pharmaceutical drug cartels controlling the markets, with no regard to your true health and well being. The FDA is not interested in your well being, if they were they would not only read the thousands of documented reports on Colloidal Silver they would recommend that all the doctors in this country use it!!!" "Raise cain on this one folks and in the meantime get your Colloidal Silver stock while it is still available!" Dr. McCain http://www.herbalhealer.com

-- matt (whome@somewhere.nz), October 31, 1999.

Response to Colloidal silvser: references,etc.

The FDA never approved flouride, either, but it's in our drinking water. By the way, it's pretty bad stuff too.

-- DuffyO (duffyo@mailcity.com), October 31, 1999.

Shivani Arjuna:

Thanks for taking the time to provide some reference. I was hoping for scientific references but I will look at what you have provided. I don't think that I will try this anytime in the near future, but I like to learn about these things. Once again, thanks for your input.

Best wishes,,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), October 31, 1999.

I would like to read the booklet that is referenced by the original post....where can I get it? Thanks!!

-- jeanne (jeanne@hurry.now), October 31, 1999.

I just read a book called "Collodial Silver" by Mark Metcalf. It tells just about everything you need to know- how to make it, the many benefits, etc. Christian Family Resources Catalog sells the book, incl.the generators. Very easy to make the solution. I would have no qualms to using the Collodial Silver, after reading the book. I agree with the author that the drug companies, who work hand in hand with the FDA, don't want such inexpensive competition with their products. To inquire about this unit, the phone # of the catalog is (719)-962-3232 I have been treated very well by this family-run company.

-- Jo Ann (MaJo@Michiana.com), October 31, 1999.

Whoops....I was looking at their fax number....the phone number for the catalog is (719)-962-3228.

-- Jo Ann (MaJo@Michiana.com), October 31, 1999.