Colloidal Silver

 

Dear Mr. Berkes:   It is our understanding that some of your distributors and customers have recently been asking questions about the safety of silver in your product based on a recent advance notice of proposed rule-making by the Food and Drug Administration. Recent comments contributed by this institute to the FDA in response to its proposed rule-making point out that silver is a dietary supplement under the meaning of 21 U.S.C. Section 321 (ff), if it is labelled as a dietary supplement and not labelled for therapeutic use. Under this section of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, known as the dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, a dietary supplement, including a mineral, intended to supplement the diet, and intended for ingestion, and labelled as a dietary supplement may not be prohibited from being marketed unless the product "presents a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury" when consumed in accordance with its recommended or suggested labelling or under ordinary conditions of use. In this regard, you should be advised that we recently completed an extensive review of the scientific literature on the safety of silver, especially as it relates to its one known potential side effect, namely, Argyria.   Argyia is an irreversible discoloration of the pigment (skin) caused by excessive silver intake or chronic exposure to silver by certain tissues. The amount of silver required to develop Argyria is estimated to be 3.8 grams per day. By comparison standard 10 ppm colloidal silver contains silver in amounts equaling less than 1 milligram of silver (1,000 micrograms = 1 milligram; 1,000 milligrams - 1 gram), which therefore represents an amount approximately 1/500th to 1/1000th of the amount of silver considered to be a risk in the development of Argyria. Most cases of Argyria reported in the medical literature over the last 100 years involved chronic intravenous or intramuscular use of the silver preparations, most often involving a silver drug prescribed by physicians which in most cases contained silver nitrate. Other cases of Argyria reported in the medical literature involve application of silver preparations used for many months or years in the treatment of the eye or vagina for certain diseases. We could not locate a single case of orally consumed colloidal silver manufactured in the last 25 years causing Argyria in our review of the literature. This is probably due to the low levels of silver contained in such preparations, since only very small amounts of silver are needed for its antiseptic effect. Humans consume approximately 100 micrograms of silver every day in the diet. Additional amounts within this range would be considered safe by all reasonable estimates, especially if the amount needed to develop Argyria would be equivalent of 380,000 micrograms (or 3.8 grams) of silver a day. As for the efficacy of silver preparations, we found considerable scientific evidence published over the last 75 years that a number of silver compounds can be effective germicidal (antiseptic) agents against several hundred pathogenic organisms. However, silver is not termed an antibiotic as some have claimed because an antibiotic by definition is derived from a living organism. I hope this information is of assistance. We appreciate the concerns expressed at this time by some of your distributors and customers based on the recent proposed rule-making of the FDA. However, that rule-making seems directed at OTC drug-like silver preparation, products that contain magnitudes of silver greater than might be found in a normal colloidal silver product. Sincerely, Alexander G. Schauss, Ph.D. Director, Life Sciences Division John Hopkins University Dr. Alexander Schauss, Ph.D. Alexander G. Schauss, Ph.D., is the Director of the Life Sciences Division of the American Institute for Biosocial Research, Inc. in Tacoma, WA. He is a member of the Government's Commission on Dietary Supplements. He holds joint faculty positions as Associate Professor of Research and Senior Director of Research and Development at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, in Tempe, AZ. And, as Associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR. Dr. Schauss is an Emeritus Member of the New York Academy of Sciences, former Chairman of the Food Policy Council of the National Council for Public Health Policy, Founding Member of the British Society of Nutritional Medicine, Emeritus Executive Director of the American Preventive Medical Association, Emeritus Executive Director and current President of Citizens for Health, and a member of the American Public Health Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is an accomplished author and lecturer, and has appeared on almost every major radio and television talk show in the United States. His most recent book, "MINERALS, TRACE ELEMENTS AND HUMAN HEALTH" has become a national best seller. Metabolic Solutions Info Report Metabolic Solutions Institute 902-584-3810 Argyria rebuttal The term Argyria describes the condition of a bluish gray color of the skin, and Argyosis the bluing of the eye white, resulting from the use of SILVER COMPOUNDS. To better understand the misconception regarding Argyria, I will quote from the book "The Micro Silver Bullet"(tm) by Dr. M. Paul Farber 1996 page XII (ISBN 1-887742-00-X) In reference to a "Journal of American Medical Association" article, October 18 1995, volume 274 # 15, where cases of Argyria were cited to have been caused by silver compounds (not colloidal silver, but silver mixed with other metals), note: "These Case history presentations represent biased and unprofessional writing. The author's apparent inability to understand the difference between a silver nitrate, sulfide, or other silver compound demon-strates their lack of understanding of basic chemical properties. The matrix, substrate, and particle size are all critical to the varied functions and reactions with use of these products. That is why there has not been a single case of Argyria from a properly manufactured modern-day colloidal silver product. [editors emphasis] The cases of Argyria reported in the 1920's and 1930's resulted because the technology of the day was unable to produce a pure colloidal silver product with a small enough particle size." Ref. (4-A) The reported cases of Argyria usually involved very high and frequent doses over extended periods of time of silver salts/compounds such as silver sulfate, silver nitrate, silver chloride, etc. "...we recently completed an extensive review of the scientific literature on the safety of silver, especially as it relates to its one known potential side effect, namely, Argyria. Argyia is an irreversible discoloration of the pigment (skin) caused by excessive silver intake or chronic exposure to silver by certain tissues. The amount of silver required to develop Argyria is estimated to be 3.8 grams per day. By comparison standard 10 ppm colloidal silver contains silver in amounts equaling less than 1 milligram of silver (1,000 micrograms = 1 milligram; 1,000 milligrams - 1 gram), which therefore represents an amount approximately 1/500th to 1/1000th of the amount of silver considered to be a risk in the development of Argyria. Most cases of Argyria reported in the medical literature over the last 100 years involved chronic intravenous or intramuscular use of the silver preparations, most often involving a silver drug prescribed by physicians which in most cases contained silver nitrate. Other cases of Argyria reported in the medical literature involve application of silver preparations used for many months or years in the treatment of the eye or vagina for certain diseases. We could not locate a single case of orally consumed colloidal silver manufactured in the last 25 years causing Argyria in our review of the literature." Alexander G. Schauss, Ph.D. Director, Life Sciences Division John Hopkins University The Environmental Protection Agency's Poison Control Center reports no toxicity listing for Colloidal Silver; it is therefore considered harmless in any concentration. However all of the silver salts are identified as toxic, although the only adverse effect noted is Argyria. Therefore the concern is with silver salts not Colloidal Silver.  Metabolic Solutions Info Report Metabolic Solutions Institute 902-584-3810 BYU study shows colloidal silver is as good as penicillin By Lois M. Collins Deseret, News staff writer Tests of a colloidal silver solution have concluded that it provides an alternative to antibiotics. Researchers in Brigham Young University's department of microbiology were asked to test the antimicrobial activity of Colloidal Silver. Silver is "colloidal" when it is suspended in small amounts in liquid. Silver in various forms has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial agent. In the 1800s and early 1900s, people put silver coins in their water barrels to kill microbes and make the water potable. A silver nitrate ointment is applied to the eyes of newborn babies to prevent certain eye problems. And silver sulphadiazine is regularly used to treat burn wounds. Use of Colloidal Silver, once common, faded with the advent of antibiotics. Recently, though, concerns about overuse of antibiotics and the development of antibiotic-resistant microbes has lead to a resurgence of silver's popularity. And with good reason, according to the study, conducted by BYU's David A. Revelli, microbiologist, and Ron W. Leavitt. The study compared Colloidal Silver to five classes of antibiotics: the tetracyclines, fluorinated quinolones (Ofloxacin), the penicillins, the cephalosporins (Cefaperazone) and the macrolides (Erythromycin). Both the silver and antibiotics were tested on a variety of microorganisms, including streptococcuses, pneumonia, E. coli, salmonella, shigella and others. According to the study, silver "exhibits an equal or broader spectrum of activity than any one antibiotic tested." Where each antibiotic was effective against specific susceptible organisms, silver "is equally effective" against both gram positive and gram negative organisms. "The data suggests that with the absence of toxicity associated with Colloidal Silver, in general, and the broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity of Colloidal Silver, it may be effectively used as an alternative to antibiotics," Revelli and Leavitt wrote. Dr. Dianne Farley-Jones, a family practitioner, recommends Colloidal Silver to her patients for external problems. She hasn't used it internally much, though she said it works quite well for ear infections. "With any kind of abrasion or skin problem, it works really well and really fast. And it seems to have an anti-inflammatory effect, though that hasn't been proven." Colloidal Silver also seems to have an antiviral effect, Farley-Jones said. She's used it at different times but hadn't recommended it until she saw the BYU research data. Now she encourages patients to use it as a nasal rinse for sinus infection or to spray their throats if they feel like they're getting a viral sore throat.   Metabolic Solutions Info Report Metabolic Solutions Institute 902-584-3810 Can Silver Treat AIDS? by Nancy Robey mn@primenet.com ; www.colloidal-silver.com Is there a simple, inexpensive treatment for AIDS? Perhaps so. An obscure but crucial discovery was made at the Biochemsitry Unit of Upjohn Laboratories in 1991: "Among a number of metal ions tested, Zn2+ (zinc), Cn2+ (copper), and Ag1+ (silver) were found to be the most effective inhibitors of renin and the HIV protease (data not shown). Kenectic analysis revealed that inhibition of renin by Ag1+ (silver) is basically identical with that seen with Zn2+ (zinc), i.e., concompetitive, first order with respect to the metal." Biochemistry, September 10, 1991. Further testing at Upjohn, including a clinical trial, revealed that zinc was toxic in effective dosages. This was the first report that silver is a highly effective protease inhibitor. Over the following years, this same discovery would be made several times. The following article is from the Orem Herald of Provo, Utah, February 13, 1992, on page D1: The small glass vial is filled with clear liquid resembling water. But an Orem resident is convinced it contains the cure for AIDS. "I don't have a doubt in my mind. It's what eats me alive at night," says Daryle Tichy. Suspended in the liquid, which is mostly distilled water, are ultrafine particles of positively charged silver. By researching within several different sciences, Tichy has determined that the solution will kill the AIDS virus without harming the human body. Tichy, a full time member of the administrative staff at Brigham Young University's physical plant, said he considers himself a searcher, not a researcher. He looks for patterns and answers to problems by crossing the boundaries of different disciplines such as physics and medicine... Tichy said he had the material tested at two different labs; results showed the solution killed a variety of pathogens, including the HIV virus. A year later, this same discovery was made at the University Medical Center in Geneva, Switzerland: "Metal-binding proteins are important components of retroviruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Therefore, metals could be used as antiviral agents...silver is a highly active bactericidal metal with little toxicity for humans. Silver has also been shown to be a potent inhibitor of HIV protease." Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, December 30, 1992. Three years later, Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, made this same discovery apparently independently: "We tested the ability of biotic silver protein to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in the human T cell line, SupT 1, as measured by syncytia formation. We found that pure silver protein inhibited HIV-1 replication in SupT 1 cells as measured by a reduction in the appearance syncytia in cell culture. There appeared to be little if any acute toxicity associated with the dose of biotic silver protein which inhibited HIV-1 replication...These results are very encouraging and suggest additional experiments that could be done..." Earl E. Henderson, Ph.D. Professor. The following March 20, 1995, Professor Earl E. Henderson released the findings of another experiment at Temple University: "My laboratory has studied the effects of special formulation of biotic silver protein on human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-1) survival and on latency reactivation of HIV-1 in the human lymphoblastoid B cell line, M57-3...The results of the...experiment show that exposure of HIV-1 to 1000 ppm of special formulation of silver protein for one hour at 37 degrees Centigrade completely eliminates infectious HIV-1 as measured by syncytia formation on SupT 1 cells..."   This is what an AIDS patient says about silver therapy: "I was infected with HIV through a forced infection in 1991. I tested positive for the HIV antibody November 18, 1991; of course, the same day as my birthday. From that day forward, my life became something totally beyond anything I could have expected...It has been rough, though. HIV has helped me so, so much. The experience has given me access to my own soul again, to a living, breathing relationship with Spirit; regardless, I have literally gone to hell for much of it...While I had plenty of good days, I was getting more and more bad days... "The 106 degree fevers began to return, the intense body pain, the harsh, long-lasting chills... I began to make my own immediate funeral arrangements....and then this voice popped into my head and told me to get the hell on colloidal silver RIGHT NOW! Sure enough, within a week I had begun to gain the weight I had lost back, and in two weeks, I had gone back to mountain climbing. Wow! I still feel absolutely incredible. I have symptoms of nothing and I am back to my hyperactive self. This new dosing of silver seems to be taking care of my oral thrush problem and is keeping the MAC at bay...I'd like to think I could be cured of this disease...I feel so good that, if I was to start getting sick again and move closer to death, I would be so thankful for this period of absolute health that it would be okay. I do not know how long I am to live, nor do I know how my death will come." T. W. Metabolic Solutions Info Report Metabolic Solutions Institute 902-584-3810   Colloidal Silver F.A.Q. 1. Q. What does "Colloidal" mean? A. The word "Colloidal" refers to something which has such a small particle size that when it is suspended (not dissolved) in a liquid medium (such as water) the particles neither sink to the bottom nor float to the top. The particles are also "ionic", which means that all the particles have the same molecular charge, so they repel each other. In the case of Colloidal Silver (CS), the particles are as small as 1/7,000th the size of a red blood cell, which makes them very easy to assimilate.   2. Q. What about purity? How long does Colloidal Silver last?   A Colloidal Silver doesn't "spoil" like most other supplements do. Since no organisms can live in CS, nothing can make it "spoil". When CS is made using the low-voltage method, over a period of time some of the silver ions lose their charge and are attracted to other nearby ions, where they clump or "aggregate" together. When this happens, the CS begins to change color as the silver particles become large enough to refract light. Depending upon the batch - how long it was "brewed", what kind of "starter" was used, what level voltage and current was used, what type of purified water was used, etc. - the CS may acquire a color ranging from light yellow to dark gold, or even a grayish cloudiness. None of this effects the efficacy of CS. Even were the CS to reach a color of dark brown or purple, it would not be toxic, though it is believed by many that it is less assimilable. When using the high-voltage method to make CS, the CS solution becomes very stable, and this "aggregation" is much less likely to occur, causing the CS to have a very long "shelf-life".   3. Q. So CS is never toxic or dangerous?   A CS must be made using water which is free from all minerals or contaminants; otherwise, while it is being made, the silver ions may join with other minerals in the water to form various silver salts, or compounds (like silver-nitrate, or silver-chloride). Some of these compounds are thought to be toxic to the human body. Generally, the best form of water is steam distilled or de-ionized water. 4. Q. What about Argyria, the "blue skin" disease? A The reality is that there is not a single recorded case anywhere of anyone developing Argyria from the use of Colloidal Silver. What few cases are on record involve the extended use over long periods of time of enormous quantities of silver salts, meaning silver joined with other, sometimes toxic, substances (like silver-nitrate). No amount of Colloidal Silver has ever been shown to cause Argyria. 5. Q. What is the best ppm to use? How much CS is needed? A The letters, ppm, stand for Parts Per Million. Based upon reports from Health Professionals all over the world, the presence of silver ions in almost any ppm is beneficial to the human body. In 1996, Dr. I. H. Tipton reported in the journal, "Health Physics", that the ideal daily intake of silver was 50-100 mcg. He believes silver to be an important trace mineral used by the body like chromium and selenium. Dr. Paul Farber reported, "Information about how much silver may have been in our ancestors diet is speculative; however, given the authoritative report by our own government some 60 years ago there is reason to believe that supplementing the body's intake of silver makes sense. One tsp of 10 PPM colloidal silver .001 to .004 particle size contains approximately 50 mcg (millionths of a gram). Therefore two teaspoons would contain an equivalent level to that found in the USA food supply of more than 60 years ago. It could be argued that the amount taken to reach a level equal to our pre-industrialized ancestors could even be more than double that figure." Remarkable results have been reported with ppm levels as low as .3 ppm. That's one third of 1 ppm! Some CS producers claim to make their product as high as 1000 ppm, using 10,000 volts of electricity. But the beneficial effect appears to be consistently positive, whatever the ppm or quantities of CS consumed. Some people experience benefits ingesting as little as 1/4 teaspoon per day, while others settle on 1 to 2 ounces or more per day. 6. Q. What happens if I take too much? Can I overdose? A. The only negative effect reported by CS users is a phenomenon called the "Herxheimer effect", named after doctor Karl Herxheimer (who identified this phenomenon). Sometimes, when a person starts off for the first time ingesting a large amount of CS, the CS is so efficient at killing pathogens in the body that the body cannot adequately dispose of the dead pathogens through the normal eliminative organs, and it resorts to the secondary ones, the lungs, sinuses and skin. Or the CS user may experience diarrhoea, as the body tries to flush itself out. In that case, one merely needs to reduce or temporarily stop the CS until the healing crisis is over, and then start taking smaller amounts of CS. A new European Union Drinking Water Standard in draft form has removed any limitations on silver in drinking water following the World Health Organisation’s "Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality" which states, "It is unnecessary to recommend any health-based guidelines for silver as it is not hazardous to human health." According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Poison Control Center, CS is considered harmless. Dr. Samuel Etris, a senior consultant at the Silver Institute, says there has never been any allergenic, toxic or carcinogenic reactions to CS. The U.S. Government's Center for Disease Control confirmed that fact in 1995. Metabolic Solutions Info Series Metabolic Solutions Institute 902-584-3810 CS for Candida, Yeast Infections, and Athlete's Foot by Marvin Robey Yeast and mold infections are among the most difficult to treat of human ailments. Some of them are also among the most debilitating, such as candida yeast. Candida yeast will readily grow in any moist area of the body, such as the mouth ("thrush"), groin ("jock itch"), vagina ("yeast infection"), and intestines. Candida yeast is found naturally in the body, but is normally kept under control by friendly bacteria, such as acidophilus. But candida yeast often gets out of control following the use of antibiotics. The antibiotic kills off the friendly acidophilus and aerobic bacteria but does not affect the yeast. Without the friendly organisms such as the multiple strains of acidophilus to control it, candida grows fast. The excess sugar of diabetes will also provide food for yeast, causing it to proliferate. Diabetics are therefore especially prone to this type of problem. The intestines form perfect breeding grounds for candida. If the condition becomes bad enough, eventually the candida irritate an area of the intestine so much that their toxins penetrate the intestinal wall into the blood stream, where they can break down the immune system. Soon the candida infection itself passes through the intestinal wall and the white blood cells are consumed in their struggle to control the infection, further destroying the immune system. Thus, candida is a common contributor to many diseases and conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, colds, flus, etc. Almost all disease and health problems are greatly aggravated by candida. Candida can sometimes be controlled by increasing the acidity of the body, especially the area the yeast is growing in. This can be done by eating acid foods, such as vinaigrette salad dressings, and by applying vinegar mixed with water to the problem area. The best antibiotic commonly used to treat this condition is Nystatin. But Nystatin is only marginally effective against yeast, and remember that the problems probably started with the use of antibiotics to begin with. Normally the body can handle minor yeast infections. However, when the yeast reaches the infectious stage wherein it is poisoning the blood and the immune system grows weak, such infections as athlete's foot, vaginal yeast infections, and fungus infections under the nails cannot be fought off. A common treatment for the general infection is a diet completely free of all sugars, even fruit and starches along with taking Nystatin. However, anyone who has tried this treatment will tell you that this very strict diet is almost impossible to follow and does little more than keep the infection from proliferating. The most effective tools against yeast infections of all kinds are acidophilus (yoghurt), Colloidal Silver, and upper colonics. Combined, they can rid the body of yeast infections about as fast as the body can dispose of the toxins from dead cultures. However, disposing of these toxins can be a real problem, for two reasons. First of all, if the intestinal infection is killed off too sudden, it is possible for the intestines to become blocked. Obviously this can be serious and sometimes requires professional treatment to clear the bowels. Second, the body tends to dispose of toxins from the blood through the skin, which causes an itchy rash when the process is too fast. Toxins from dead spores can also strain the liver and kidneys. Therefore, it is wise to take as much acidophilus as is convenient, but to build up the use of Colloidal Silver gradually, usually starting with one teaspoon of colloidal silver a day, of about ten parts per million, or the equivalent. This is usually increased by about one oz. per day until a breaking out appears or the conditions are relieved. The Colloidal Silver provides a three-fold attack on the problems of candida. First, it kills off anaerobic bacteria and virii wherever it comes in contact with them. Therefore, it virtually provides a secondary immune system against all types of disease and infections, while treating the candida. Thus much of the problems of candida are treated immediately, before the candida can be cleaned out of the system. Second, Colloidal Silver is unusually effective in treating the candida infection itself. And third, it has a strange and dynamic way of healing injured and damaged tissues fast. Since yeast infections of all kinds usually attack and consume the living tissue, a healing process is badly needed, and Colloidal Silver has a very unique way of healing these tissues fast. Users continually report that Colloidal Silver will cure athlete's foot, vaginal yeast infections, as well as candida infections of the skin very quickly and then heals the damaged tissues. However, these are often signs of an inner infection. Until the yeast infection within the body is cured, external infections keep on returning. That is no reason not to treat these conditions. But if they return, it is time to look to the source of the problems as being inward. One can, of course, find explanations for the sources of the reinfection. However, a healthy body seldom succumbs to these infections. Colloidal Silver used internally and locally is a most effective treatment available today for all of these conditions.     PART 2 Colloidal Silver in Medical Literature AIDS Study Eight people recover from the AIDS virus in a scientifically documented study. An additional seven AIDS patients recover as verified by anecdotal reports, as reported by Dr. M. Paul Farber, M.P. N.D., Ph.D., D.C. Author of the "Micro Silver Bullet TM" 4th Edition, November 1996 ISBN 1-87742-00 X Pages XIII & XVI. Lyme Disease "Borrelia burgdorferi and hermsti, organisms associated with causing the symptoms of Lyme Disease, were tested at the Department of Health and Human Services, Rocky Mountain Laboratories and Fox Chase Cancer Center, respectively, in 1995; in the Rocky Mountain Labs study, it was demonstrated that no live spirochetes of either borrellia burgdorferi [B310 Orhermsti (HS-1)] survived after 24 hours of exposure to colloidal silver in concentrations of 15 ppm and 150 ppm." - Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, January, 13, 1995, Schuan, Tom, Ph.D., Burgdorfer, Willy, Ph.D. Cancer Research "Research by Dr. Robert O. Becker, and others indicated that in laboratory tests conducted, Colloidal Silver reverted cancer cells back to normal (not kill them but return them to normal). Other observations were made such as a correlation between silver deficiency and illness or proper immune system functioning, burns, soft tissue and bone repair acceleration, and the formation of cells that appear to be able to repair virtually any part of the body. Reduction of inflammation and the antibacterial, germicidal, astringent, antibiotic attributes so far observed are yet to be fully understood." - The Body Electric, Dr. Robert O. Becker ISBN 0688069711 Quill, New York or William Morrow & Company Infections C.E.A. MacLeod reports colloidal silver being used with marked success in the following cases: "Septic and follicular tonsillitis, Vincent's angina, phlyctenular conjunctivitis, gonorrhoeal conjunctivitis, spring catarrh, impetigo (contagious acne of face and body), septic ulcer of legs, ringworm, soft sores, suppurative appendicitis after operation (the wounds cleaned rapidly), pustular eczema of scalp and pubes, chronic eczema of meatus of ear with recurrent boils, chronic suppuration in otitis media, and bromidrosis of feet. By injection: gonorrhoea and chronic cystitis (local), boils, epididymitis." - Lancet, Feb. 3, 1912 p. 83. "The germicidal action of certain metals in the colloidal state having been demonstrated, it only remained to apply them to the human subject, and this has been done in a large number of cases with astonishingly successful results. It is not suggested that colloidal metal solutions have no disadvantages, but for internal administration, either orally or hypodermically, they have the advantage of being rapidly fatal to the parasites both bacterial and otherwise without any toxic action on the host. Colloidal silver solution is quite stable even in the presence of salts and the normal constituents of the blood. Its destructive action on toxins is very marked, so that it will protect rabbits from ten times the lethal dose of tetanic (from tetanus) or diphtheric toxin." - Searle, A. B. The Use of Colloids in Health and Disease (Quoting from the British Medical Journal, May 12, 1917 p.83), E.P. Dutton & Company, New York, 1919, p.75 Metabolic Solutions Info Report Metabolic Solutions Institute 902-584-3810 Professional Quotes Regarding Colloidal Silver "... in this eye-opening research, silver is emerging as a wonder of modern medicine... perhaps, it soon will be recognized as: OUR MIGHTIEST GERM FIGHTER. For example, even the most powerful pharmaceutical antibiotics are effective against only a small number of microorganisms, and then only until drug-resistant strains develop. Yet, research at Washington University School of Medicine ... has shown that silver is bactericidal to nearly 650 different disease-causing organisms, and that silver-resistant bacteria strains do not develop." ---Science Digest "It killed not only the HIV virus, but every virus that was tested in the lab." ---U.C.L.A. Medical Center "When silver was present, the cancer cell de-differentiated and the body was restored." Dr. Gary Smith "...major enhancement of both the rate and competency of the healing process...the germ-killing of silver has been known for some time...the Soviets use silver ions to sterilize recycled water aboard their space stations... It kills even antibiotic strains, and also works on fungus infections... It stimulates bone-forming cells, cures the most common stubborn infections of all kinds of bacteria, and stimulates healing in the skin and other soft tissues." Robert O. Becker, M.D. -author of The Body Electric "... studies showed the spectrum of organisms susceptible to electrically generated silver ions was wide and .... compared favorably with...other antibiotics" --- J.A. Spadaro, Ph.D. "I know of no microbe that is not killed in laboratory experiments in six minutes." Dr. Henry Crooks "...the colloidal metals... are remarkable for their beneficial action in infective states."--- Dr. Hirschberg, John Hopkins Hospital "Silver is one of the most universal antibiotic substances. When administered in the colloidal form, it is for all practical purposes non-toxic. Silver has been proven to be effective against hundreds of infectious conditions. It has tremendous anti-microbial power; the history of safe and successful colloidal silver use is extensive, and the number of current health professionals and individuals that successfully utilize colloidal silver to reduce the length and severity of infectious disorders is growing exponentially." Zane Baranowski, CN "To primitive life forms...silver is as toxic as the most powerful chemical disinfectants and this, coupled with its relative harmlessness to animate life (i.e. mammals), gives it great potential as a disinfectant." N.R. Thompson - Runcorn Health Laboratory in England "With the many research reports and personal testimonials of it being a full spectrum natural antibiotic that destroys virtually all known and developing/mutating pleomorphic pathogens would be a lot of excitement regarding colloidal silver, especially from within the medical community...The harsh reality regarding the FDA, AMA, Pharmaceutical, and scientific community is that there appears to be a lack of enthusiasm. Reluctance to help validate the effectiveness of colloidal silver seems all too common. Although this is changing, the reason for the possible resistance may be rooted primarily in economics. For example, colloidal silver is regarded by the FDA as a pre-1938 drug. Moreover, the FDA does not have jurisdiction regarding a pure mineral element. There has been no incentive for the aforementioned bodies to go through the expensive process of controlled studies to provide proof regarding uses and effectiveness, such as the UCLA and others have done." E. Vincent Goetsch in his book, "Colloidal Silver Maker & Researcher's Manual" "Silver is emerging as a wonder of modern medicine. An antibiotic kills perhaps a half-dozen different disease organisms, but silver kills some 650! Resistant strains fail to develop. Moreover, silver is virtually non-toxic." The Association for Advanced Colloid Research "Silver Colloids greatly assist in eliminating all known pathogens and guard against opportunistic infections. This 'second immune system' is synergistic..." Dr. Robert C. Beck, DSc., wrote in "Explore!" "Colloidal silver is very effective in treating periodontal disease (gum disease). My patients enjoy the clean fresh breath as colloidal silver immediately cleanses the mouth and destroys odor-causing bacteria. I would recommend that colloidal silver solutions be used after each dental procedure or surgery to eliminate infection and speed healing." S.R. Cobble, D.D.S. Obstetrics and Gynecology "The medicine department of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA conducted tests in 1988 regarding the use of silver solutions as disinfectants. Anti-microbial and anti-bacterial effects were demonstrated in 10/5 concentrations per milliliter of the following: neisseria gonorrhea, gardurella vaginalisis, streptococcus pyogenes, staphylococcus aureus, candida albicans, candida eolobata, m. furfur, salmonella typhi." Larry C. Ford, M.D., UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA School of Medicine, November, 1, 1988. AIDS Study "Eight people recover from the AIDS virus in a scientifically documented study. An additional seven AIDS patients recover as verified by anecdotal reports". Dr. M. Paul Farber, M.P. N.D., Ph.D., D.C. Author of the "Micro Silver Bullet TM" 4th Edition, November 1996 ISBN 1-87742-00 X Pages XIII & XVI. Lyme Disease "Borrelia burgdorferi and hermsti, organisms associated with causing the symptoms of Lyme Disease, were tested at the Department of Health and Human Services, Rocky Mountain Laboratories and Fox Chase Cancer Center, respectively, in 1995; in the Rocky Mountain Labs study, it was demonstrated that no live spirochetes of either borrellia burgdorferi [B310 orhermsti (HS-1)] survived after 24 hours of exposure to colloidal silver in concentrations of 15 ppm and 150 ppm." Schuan, Tom, Ph.D., Burgdorfer, Willy Ph.D. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, January, 13, 1995. Cancer Research Research by Dr. Robert O. Becker, and others indicated that laboratory tests conducted reverted cancer cells back to normal (not kill them but return them to normal). Other observations made such as a correlation between silver deficiency and illness or proper immune system functioning, burns, soft tissue and bone repair acceleration, and the formation of cells that appear to be able to repair virtually any part of the body. Reduction of inflammation and the antibacterial, germicidal, astringent, antibiotic attributes so far observed are yet to be fully understood. The Body Electric, Dr. Robert O. Becker ISBN 0688069711 Quill, New York or William Morrow & Company The Environmental Protection Agency's Poison Control Center reports no toxicity listing for Colloidal Silver; it is therefore considered harmless in any concentration. However, all of the silver salts are identified as toxic, although the only adverse effect noted is Argyria. Therefore the concern is with silver salts and compounds, not colloidal silver. C.E. A. MacLeod reports colloidal silver being used with marked success in the following cases: "Septic and follicular tonsillitis, Vincent's angina, phlyctenular conjunctivitis, gonorrheal conjunctivitis, spring catarrh, impetigo (contagious acne of face and body), septic ulcer of legs, ringworm, soft sores, suppurative appendicitis after operation (the wounds cleaned rapidly), pustular eczema of scalp and pubes, chronic eczema of meatus of ear with recurrent boils, chronic suppuration in otitis media, and bromidrosis of feet. By injection: gonnorrhoea and chronic cystitis (local), boils, epididymitis." Lancet, Feb. 3, 1912 p. 83. "The germicidal action of certain metals in the colloidal state having been demonstrated, it only remained to apply them to the human subject, and this has been done in a large number of cases with astonishingly successful results. For internal administration, either orally or hypodermically, they have the advantage of being rapidly fatal to the parasites both bacterial and otherwise without any toxic action on the host. Colloidal silver solution is quite stable even in the presence of salts and the normal constituents of the blood. Its destructive action on toxins is very marked, so that it will protect rabbits from ten times the lethal dose of tetanic (from tetanus) or diphtheric toxin." Searle, A. B. The Use of Colloids Health and Disease (Quoting from the British Medical Journal, May 12, 1917 p.83), E.P. Dutton & Company, New York, 1919, p.75 John Meredith, an experienced medical writer, has written a good article entitled: "The Rebellion of Germs Against Antibiotics". Mr. Meredith points out the dangers of the modern world for the easy spread of infections that antibiotics can do nothing about. He explains why drug companies hate natural remedies. They do not make available grant money to study what they feel that they cannot make money on. Mr. Meredith makes reference to a number of cases that colloidal silver has helped including "Gulf War Syndrome" and a number of common medical conditions. He makes reference to a Dr. Tipton who feels that it should be a daily mineral supplement. The article makes a point on why every household should keep colloidal silver on their shelves. It is great to protect children and the elderly. A reference is make about protection from food poisoning which is becoming more and more a serious public health issue. Metabolic Solutions Info Series Metabolic Solutions Institute 902-584-3810 Silver Ion Therapy for HIV/AIDS and Septicemia by Dr. Charles D. Beal, M.D. Silver in various forms has long been known to be microbiocidal. In recent years it has been used to sterilize waste water, often in combination with chlorine as a means to reduce the dosage of chlorine needed. Silver iodide and other silver salts have been used Medically as antiseptics for decades. In l978, Dr. Robert O. Becker, an orthopedic surgeon, treated a series of infected, open long bone fractures, resistant to all available antibiotics. He used silver ions produced by a low intensity direct current (LIDC) applied to silver coated nylon meshes placed on the open wounds. The report showed excellent results, but did not generate much interest in the medical community, which continued to rely on new antibiotics as they became available, but still with not infrequent failures. In 1989, while attending the international AIDS Conference in San Francisco, Philip Burris, Ph.D., wondered if silver ions could be used to kill the HIV virus in humans. He was able to have done in vitro studies showing that the LIDC technology could prevent the transmission of the HIV virus from infected to non-infected lymphocytes without damaging the lymphocytes. Other studies showed many bacteria to be quite sensitive to silver ions, with human cells being much less sensitive. Waste water studies of viruses occurring in sewage found the hepatitis A virus to be the most resistant to silver ions, the polio virus less resistant, and the rotovirus the most sensitive. The hepatitis virus, of course, is known to be quite resistant to antiseptics, heat and drying. The method appears useful for the eradication of Legionella pneumophilia from cooling systems. Rationale for Treatment of HIV With Silver Ions: Silver ions are produced in enormous quantities when an electric current is passed through silver metal in saline or other conducting solution, including blood. The amount of current needed is much lower than the current needed to affect the heart muscle. Silver ions are positively charged while viruses and bacteria have a weak negative charge. Thus, there is a mutual attraction between the ions and the organisms, the latter being inactivated by the ions. It seems likely that the silver ions also attach to red blood cells and proteins in the blood, as well as combining with chloride ions. Nevertheless, the enormous quantity of silver ions produced appear adequate to destroy the viral particles. The half-life of the ions in the blood is calculated to be 7.8 seconds, giving them time to react with many virons, particularly if the electrode is placed in a large blood vessel, such as the superior vena cava, which empties directly into the heart with blood from many different veins. The blood entering the heart then is pumped immediately to the lungs where the ions should still be active. It is not known, however, whether silver ions delivered via the blood stream will be found to be useful to treat pulmonary infections. The blood returning to the heart after oxygenation then is distributed to the remainder of the body. An electrode placed in an artery should be able to deliver the ions directly and rapidly to the target organ. How practical or effective such treatment would be is not known. Animal Studies Both cats and certain primates can be infected with a fatal disease caused by retroviruses similar to HIV. The feline immuno-deficiency virus (FIV) appears to be transmitted to other cats through the saliva, that is, through biting. FIV is not known to be infectious to humans. Dr. Burris was able to obtain one very ill FIV infected cat from a neighbor, but could not convince any veterinarian in the area to treat the cat with silver ions. Eventually he found a research veterinarian practicing in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, who anaesthetised the cat, placed a silicone rubber catheter containing a silver wire protruding from its end into the superior vena cava via a jugular vein. A cathode was attached to the skin of the chest. The microamp power indicated above was applied for 22 minutes by means of a small power supply, followed by the nanoamp power for 90 minutes. It was assumed that the cat would soon die of its disease. Thus the primary purpose of this treatment was to determine silver levels in the blood. It was found that the natural level was increased only briefly by about 10%. All animals maintain trace amounts of silver in the body. Of great interest, however, is that by the second post-treatment day the cat began eating well, and within four weeks the many sores on its back and ears had healed. The cat was treated in March, l996, and at the present appears perfectly healthy. It is not known whether some infectious agents remain in the cat's body. Since that apparently successful effort, attempts have been made to obtain the FIV infected cats for treatment, but so far without success. We have been informed, however, that in recent years neither the FDA nor the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been requiring animal studies prior to evaluating anti-HIV drugs in humans. Human Studies Cesar Garcia Ramirez, MD, practicing in Tijuana, became aware of the FIV treatment, and felt that it would be a compassionate act to at least try the therapy on some of his dying AIDS patients. He obtained permission from the Baja California Division of Public Health, as well as agreement for the treatment protocol from a group of physicians serving as the Institutional Review Board (Human Studies Committee). Volunteer patients were fully informed and signed consent forms. Initially, three very ill patients were chosen. Silver electrodes in silicon rubber catheters were placed in arm veins and passed up as far as the vena cava, or near to it. Each patient was treated for 12 minutes at 2.5 microamps, then for 72 hours at 125 microamps except that one patient was treated for only 48 hours. All three patients felt better by the second day, and considerably better by Day 5. Viral loads dropped precipitously, almost to zero in one patient and much lower than the initial count in the other two. The next three months were spent in equipment improvement, seeking to be able to reduce viral loads rapidly to zero in all patients, and to be able to maintain the zero level for weeks or months if need be until the badly damaged immune system has had time to recover and be able to itself combat the infection. The virus is present not only in the blood stream, but also in lymph nodes and other organs of the body. Currently in the Tijuana study, catheters are implanted in the subclavian vein (behind the clavicle) and extend to the right auricle of heart, with the electrode protruding from the end of the catheter. Since the electrodes in their present form oxidize and stop producing ions in about 5 days, the present system allows the silver electrode to be removed and replaced while the catheter remains in place. Using this method, viral levels have been maintained at zero or nearly so for six weeks in one patient. Her CD4 count is now beginning to rise, as is the total lymphocyte count. Most importantly, she feels much better than prior to treatment. She also was infected with herpes, hepatitis C, toxoplasmosis of the brain, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) affecting one eye. It thus is very surprising that the patient has improved so much. Whether any of these secondary opportunistic infections have in reality been successfully treated can be determined only after prolonged follow-up. Many more patients will need to be treated and followed for these often-fatal complications. In addition to the work described above, 18 AIDS patients, all seriously ill, are now under treatment. The therapy is being done on a compassionate basis, responding to very strong pressure from the local AIDS community, their families and friends. Unfortunately, in none of these 18 is adequate laboratory work being performed, simply because the cost of the rather extensive studies required to document the value of silver ion therapy is too great. Virtually all of these patients are destitute. It is very gratifying, nevertheless, that all of them now are feeling much better, and some quite well. It is little wonder that there is such pressure for treatment. Side Effects of Silver Ion Therapy Until now no side effects attributable to this therapy have been observed. It should be remembered that the present most effective oral therapy available - protease inhibitors used in combination with other drugs - is quite toxic, producing many side effects, enough so that some patients are unable to tolerate the therapy. One patient that was treated with silver ions for only 48 hours had a serious flare-up of his herpes infection soon after the treatment was stopped. On the other hand, the woman described above who was treated for 6 weeks, experienced a disappearance of her herpes lesion. At present it is impossible to say whether the silver ion therapy was the cause of the effect in either case. Silver Metal Toxicity Silver appears to be a relatively non-toxic trace metal for mammals. It is largely metabolized and excreted by the liver into the bile and eliminated from the body. In the past the excessive and long term use of silver compound nose and eye drops in some people were found to produce a grayish discoloration of the skin, termed "Argyria." Even the large amount of silver required to produce this staining appeared to cause no other problems. Some silver compounds, such as silver nitrate, are highly caustic. It has been observed that ingestion of 10 grams of this substance is fatal to human adults, but the amount of colloidal silver entering the body using the above protocol is measured in micrograms. It is not certain that some months of treatment will not produce evidence of toxicity, but it is considered a very good sign that none has been observed so far. Anticipated Further Studies As of the present only 4 patients have been treated and followed with adequate laboratory studies. The ideal design of the equipment and its use in the body continues to need exploration. How long initial therapy needs to be continued remains to be determined, and whether periodic pretreatment will be required can only be determined by long term follow-up of the patients. Whether silver ion therapy will work best in combination with other modes of treatment must be explored. It is believed that for the initial Phase 1 studies conducted in Tijuana a total of 50 patients need to be treated and carefully followed, collecting enough laboratory and clinical data to present to the US FDA, as well as regulatory bodies of other countries, in order to gain permission to continue the trials in the USA and elsewhere. Laboratory research needs to accompany the clinical work. It seems likely that there will be many other applications for silver ion therapy, such as the treatment of septicaemia (bacteremias) and other infections. Septicaemia is a very common cause of death in seriously ill and in some healthy patients who contract antibiotic resistant ("killer") streptococci, as well as other highly pathogenic bloodborne organisms. Septicaemia being bloodborne, should be immediately and forcefully reacted upon by the silver ions. For antibiotic resistant septicaemia there presently are no satisfactory therapeutic options, though many millions of dollars have been spent in the search. Some of the many agents responsible for respiratory infections may respond to the therapy. Preliminary laboratory work can help define which infections are more likely to respond. It is known that some leukaemia and certain other cancers are related to viral infections. Some patients suffering from chronic fatigue and similar syndromes may have indolent viral infections. All of these possibilities need to be explored as to whether or not they will respond to silver ions. Agents of tropical diseases such as malaria, typhoid, Chagas, and leishmaniasis should undergo preliminary laboratory evaluation prior to human trials. Lassa, Ebola and Hanta Viruses, often rapidly fatal, might respond to quite short term, easily administered therapy. Thus almost certainly the most immediate and urgent use of silver ions will be found in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and septicaemia. Still, many other possibilities eventually should be explored. COPYRIGHT 1999. LIFE & HEALTH RESEARCH GROUP. Note: Information printed in this newsletter is received from sources deemed reliable, but no guarantee, express or implied, can be made regarding the accuracy of same. Therefore readers are encouraged to verify for themselves and to their own satisfaction the accuracy of all reports, recommendations, conclusions, comments, and opinions. Additionally, the contents of this newsletter are strictly for information purposes only, and should not in any way be construed as providing or attempting to provide medical advice. You should always consult with a competent and fully- informed medical professional before making any personal or family health-care decisions. CONTACT INFORMATION: Silver Bullet Enterprises 25277 W. Main St., Dept. INT Lenwood, CA 92311 Voice: (760) 253-2988 Fax: (760) 253-1158 Email: barwick@telis.org     Part 3   Colloidal Silver in Medical Literature > > AIDS Study >Eight people recover from the AIDS virus in a >scientifically documented study. An additional seven >AIDS patients recover as verified by anecdotal >reports, as reported by Dr. M. Paul Farber, M.P. N.D., >Ph.D., D.C. Author of the "Micro Silver Bullet TM" 4th >Edition, November 1996 ISBN 1-87742-00 X Pages XIII & >XVI. > >   Lyme Disease >"Borrelia burgdorferi and hermsti, organisms >associated with causing the symptoms of Lyme Disease, >were tested at the Department of Health and Human >Services, Rocky Mountain Laboratories and Fox Chase >Cancer Center, respectively, in 1995; in the Rocky >Mountain Labs study, it was demonstrated that no live >spirochetes of either borrellia burgdorferi [B310 >Orhermsti (HS-1)] survived after 24 hours of exposure >to colloidal silver in concentrations of 15 ppm and >150 ppm." - Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain >Laboratories, January, 13, 1995, Schuan, Tom, Ph.D., >Burgdorfer, Willy, Ph.D.    Cancer Research >"Research by Dr. Robert O. Becker, and others >indicated that in laboratory tests conducted, Colloidal Silver reverted cancer cells back to normal >(not kill them but return them to normal). Other observations were made such as a correlation between >silver deficiency and illness or proper immune system >functioning, burns, soft tissue and bone repair >acceleration, and the formation of cells that appear >to be able to repair virtually any part of the body. >Reduction of inflammation and the antibacterial, >germicidal, astringent, antibiotic attributes so far >observed are yet to be fully understood." - The Body >Electric, Dr. Robert O. Becker ISBN 0688069711 Quill, >New York or William Morrow & Company > >   Infections >C.E.A. MacLeod reports colloidal silver being used >with marked success in the following cases: "Septic >and follicular tonsillitis, Vincent's angina, >phlyctenular conjunctivitis, gonorrhoeal >conjunctivitis, spring catarrh, impetigo (contagious >acne of face and body), septic ulcer of legs, >ringworm, soft sores, suppurative appendicitis after >operation (the wounds cleaned rapidly), pustular >eczema of scalp and pubes, chronic eczema of meatus of >ear with recurrent boils, chronic suppuration in >otitis media, and bromidrosis of feet. By injection: >gonnorrhoea and chronic cystitis (local), boils, >epididymitis." - Lancet, Feb. 3, 1912 p. 83. > >"The germicidal action of certain metals in the >colloidal state having been demonstrated, it only >remained to apply them to the human subject, and this >has been done in a large number of cases with >astonishingly successful results. It is not >suggested that colloidal metal solutions have no >disadvantages, but for internal administration, either >orally or hypodermically, they have the advantage of >being rapidly fatal to the parasites both bacterial >and otherwise without any toxic action on the host. >Colloidal silver solution is quite stable even in the >presence of salts and the normal constituents of the >blood. Its destructive action on toxins is very >marked, so that it will protect rabbits from ten times >the lethal dose of tetanic (from tetanus) or >diphtheric toxin." - Searle, A. B. The Use of Colloids >in Health and Disease (Quoting from the British >Medical Journal, May 12, 1917 p.83), E.P. Dutton & >Company, New York, 1919, p.75 > > >Metabolic Solutions Info Report >Metabolic Solutions Institute >902-584-3810 > >Professional Quotes Regarding Colloidal Silver > >"... in this eye-opening research, silver is emerging >as a wonder of modern medicine... perhaps, it soon >will be recognized as: OUR MIGHTIEST GERM FIGHTER. For >example, even the most powerful pharmaceutical >antibiotics are effective against only a small number >of microorganisms, and then only until drug-resistant >strains develop. Yet, research at Washington >University School of Medicine ... has shown that >silver is bactericidal to nearly 650 different >disease-causing organisms, and that silver-resistant >bacteria strains do not develop." ---Science Digest > >"It killed not only the HIV virus, but every virus >that was tested in the lab." ---U.C.L.A. Medical >Center > >"When silver was present, the cancer cell >de-differentiated and the body was restored." Dr. Gary >Smith > >"...major enhancement of both the rate and competency >of the healing process...the germ-killing of silver >has been known for some time...the Soviets use silver >ions to sterilize recycled water aboard their space >stations... It kills even antibiotic strains, and also >works on fungus infections... It stimulates >bone-forming cells, cures the most common stubborn >infections of all kinds of bacteria, and stimulates >healing in the skin and other soft tissues." Robert O. >Becker, M.D. -author of The Body Electric > >"... studies showed the spectrum of organisms >susceptible to electrically generated silver ions was >wide and .... compared favorably with...other >antibiotics" --- J.A. Spadaro, Ph.D. > >"I know of no microbe that is not killed in laboratory >experiments in six minutes." Dr. Henry Crooks > >"...the colloidal metals... are remarkable for their >beneficial action in infective states."--- Dr. >Hirschberg, John Hopkins Hospital > >"Silver is one of the most universal antibiotic >substances. When administered in the colloidal form, >it is for all practical purposes non-toxic. Silver has >been proven to be effective against hundreds of >infectious conditions. It has tremendous >anti-microbial power; the history of safe and >successful colloidal silver use is extensive, and the >number of current health professionals and individuals >that successfully utilize colloidal silver to reduce >the length and severity of infectious disorders is >growing exponentially." Zane Baranowski, CN > >"To primitive life forms...silver is as toxic as the >most powerful chemical disinfectants and this, coupled >with its relative harmlessness to animate life (i.e. >mammals), gives it great potential as a disinfectant." > N.R. Thompson - Runcorn Health Laboratory in England > >"With the many research reports and personal >testimonials of it being a full spectrum natural >antibiotic that destroys virtually all known and >developing/mutating pleomorphic pathogens would be a >lot of excitement regarding colloidal silver, >especially from within the medical community...The >harsh reality regarding the FDA, AMA, Pharmaceutical, >and scientific community is that there appears to be a >lack of enthusiasm. Reluctance to help validate the >effectiveness of colloidal silver seems all too >common. Although this is changing, the reason for the >possible resistance may be rooted primarily in >economics. For example, colloidal silver is regarded >by the FDA as a pre-1938 drug. Moreover, the FDA does >not have jurisdiction regarding a pure mineral >element. There has been no incentive for the >aforementioned bodies to go through the expensive >process of controlled studies to provide proof >regarding uses and effectiveness, such as the UCLA and >others have done." E. Vincent Goetsch in his book, >"Colloidal Silver Maker & Researcher's Manual" > >"Silver is emerging as a wonder of modern medicine. An antibiotic kills perhaps a half-dozen different disease organisms, but silver kills some 650! Resistant strains fail to develop. Moreover, silver is virtually non-toxic." The Association for Advanced >Colloid Research "Silver Colloids greatly assist in eliminating all known pathogens and guard against opportunistic infections. This 'second immune system' is synergistic..." Dr. Robert C. Beck, DSc., wrote in >"Explore!"  "Colloidal silver is very effective in treating periodontal disease (gum disease). My patients enjoy the clean fresh breath as colloidal silver immediately cleanses the mouth and destroys odor-causing bacteria. I would recommend that colloidal silver solutions be >used after each dental procedure or surgery to eliminate infection and speed healing." S.R. Cobble, D.D.S. Obstetrics and Gynecology "The medicine department of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA conducted tests in 1988 regarding the use of silver solutions as disinfectants. Anti-microbial and anti-bacterial effects were demonstrated in 10/5 concentrations per milliliter of the following: neisseria gonorrhoea, gardurella vaginalisis, streptococcus pyogenes, staphylococcus aureus, candida albicans, candida eolobata, m. furfur, salmonella typhi." Larry C. Ford, M.D., UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA School of Medicine, November, 1, 1988. AIDS Study "Eight people recover from the AIDS virus in a scientifically documented study. An additional seven AIDS patients recover as verified by anecdotal reports". Dr. M. Paul Farber, M.P. N.D., Ph.D., D.C. Author of the "Micro Silver Bullet TM" 4th Edition, November 1996 ISBN 1-87742-00 X Pages XIII & XVI. Lyme Disease "Borrelia burgdorferi and hermsti, organisms associated with causing the symptoms of Lyme Disease, were tested at the Department of Health and Human Services, Rocky Mountain Laboratories and Fox Chase Cancer Center, respectively, in 1995; in the Rocky Mountain Labs study, it was demonstrated that no live spirochetes of either borrellia burgdorferi [B310 orhermsti (HS-1)] survived after 24 hours of exposure to colloidal silver in concentrations of 15 ppm and 150 ppm." Schuan, Tom, Ph.D., Burgdorfer, Willy Ph.D. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, January, 13, 1995. Cancer Research Research by Dr. Robert O. Becker, and others indicated that laboratory tests conducted reverted cancer cells back to normal (not kill them but return them to normal). Other observations made such as a correlation between silver deficiency and illness or proper immune system functioning, burns, soft tissue and bone repair acceleration, and the formation of cells that appear to be able to repair virtually any part of the body. Reduction of inflammation and the antibacterial, germicidal, astringent, antibiotic attributes so far observed are yet to be fully understood. The Body Electric, Dr. Robert O. Becker ISBN 0688069711 Quill, New York or William Morrow & Company The Environmental Protection Agency's Poison Control Center reports no toxicity listing for Colloidal Silver; it is therefore considered harmless in any concentration. However, all of the silver salts are >identified as toxic, although the only adverse effect >noted is Argyria. Therefore the concern is with silver >salts and compounds, not colloidal silver. > >C.E. A. MacLeod reports colloidal silver being used >with marked success in the following cases: "Septic >and follicular tonsillitis, Vincent's angina, >phlyctenular conjunctivitis, gonorrheal >conjunctivitis, spring catarrh, impetigo (contagious >acne of face and body), septic ulcer of legs, >ringworm, soft sores, suppurative appendicitis after >operation (the wounds cleaned rapidly), pustular >eczema of scalp and pubes, chronic eczema of meatus of >ear with recurrent boils, chronic suppuration in >otitis media, and bromidrosis of feet. By injection: >gonnorrhoea and chronic cystitis (local), boils, >epididymitis." Lancet, Feb. 3, 1912 p. 83. > >"The germicidal action of certain metals in the >colloidal state having been demonstrated, it only >remained to apply them to the human subject, and this >has been done in a large number of cases with >astonishingly successful results. For internal >administration, either orally or hypodermically, they >have the advantage of being rapidly fatal to the >parasites both bacterial and otherwise without any >toxic action on the host. Colloidal silver solution is >quite stable even in the presence of salts and the >normal constituents of the blood. Its destructive >action on toxins is very marked, so that it will >protect rabbits from ten times the lethal dose of >tetanic (from tetanus) or diphtheric toxin." Searle, >A. B. The Use of Colloids Health and Disease (Quoting >from the British Medical Journal, May 12, 1917 p.83), >E.P. Dutton & Company, New York, 1919, p.75 > >John Meredith, an experienced medical writer, has >written a good article entitled: "The Rebellion of >Germs Against Antibiotics". Mr. Meredith points out >the dangers of the modern world for the easy spread of >infections that antibiotics can do nothing about. He >explains why drug companies hate natural remedies. >They do not make available grant money to study what >they feel that they cannot make money on. Mr. Meredith >makes reference to a number of cases that colloidal >silver has helped including "Gulf War Syndrome" and a >number of common medical conditions. He makes >reference to a Dr. Tipton who feels that it should be >a daily mineral supplement. The article makes a point >on why every household should keep colloidal silver on >their shelves. It is great to protect children and the >elderly. A reference is make about protection from >food poisoning which is becoming more and more a >serious public health issue. > > >Metabolic Solutions Info Series >Metabolic Solutions Institute >902-584-3810 > >Silver Ion Therapy for HIV/AIDS and Septicemia > >by Dr. Charles D. Beal, M.D. > >Silver in various forms has long been known to be >microbiocidal. In recent years it has been used to >sterilize waste water, often in combination with >chlorine as a means to reduce the dosage of chlorine >needed. Silver iodide and other silver salts have been >used Medically as antiseptics for decades. In l978, >Dr. Robert O. Becker, an orthopedic surgeon, treated a >series of infected, open long bone fractures, >resistant to all available antibiotics. He used silver >ions produced by a low intensity direct current (LIDC) >applied to silver coated nylon meshes placed on the >open wounds. > >The report showed excellent results, but did not >generate much interest in the medical community, which >continued to rely on new antibiotics as they became >available, but still with not infrequent failures. In >1989, while attending the international AIDS >Conference in San Francisco, Philip Burris, Ph.D., >wondered if silver ions could be used to kill the HIV >virus in humans. He was able to have done in vitro >studies showing that the LIDC technology could prevent >the transmission of the HIV virus from infected to >non-infected lymphocytes without damaging the >lymphocytes. Other studies showed many bacteria to be >quite sensitive to silver ions, with human cells being >much less sensitive. Waste water studies of viruses >occurring in sewage found the hepatitis A virus to be >the most resistant to silver ions, the polio virus >less resistant, and the rotovirus the most sensitive. >The hepatitis virus, of course, is known to be quite >resistant to antiseptics, heat and drying. The method >appears useful for the eradication of Legionella >pneumophilia from cooling systems. > >Rationale for Treatment of HIV With Silver Ions: > >Silver ions are produced in enormous quantities when >an electric current is passed through silver metal in >saline or other conducting solution, including blood. >The amount of current needed is much lower than the >current needed to affect the heart muscle. Silver ions >are positively charged while viruses and bacteria have >a weak negative charge. Thus, there is a mutual >attraction between the ions and the organisms, the >latter being inactivated by the ions. It seems likely >that the silver ions also attach to red blood cells >and proteins in the blood, as well as combining with >chloride ions. Nevertheless, the enormous quantity of >silver ions produced appear adequate to destroy the >viral particles. The half-life of the ions in the >blood is calculated to be 7.8 seconds, giving them >time to react with many virons, particularly if the >electrode is placed in a large blood vessel, such as >the superior vena cava, which empties directly into >the heart with blood from many different veins. The >blood entering the heart then is pumped immediately to >the lungs where the ions should still be active. It is >not known, however, whether silver ions delivered via >the blood stream will be found to be useful to treat >pulmonary infections. The blood returning to the heart > after oxygenation then is distributed to the >remainder of the body. An electrode placed in an >artery should be able to deliver the ions directly and >rapidly to the target organ. How practical or >effective such treatment would be is not known. > >Animal Studies > >Both cats and certain primates can be infected with a >fatal disease caused by retroviruses similar to HIV. >The feline immuno-deficiency virus (FIV) appears to be >transmitted to other cats through the saliva, that is, >through biting. FIV is not known to be infectious to >humans. Dr. Burris was able to obtain one very ill FIV >infected cat from a neighbor, but could not convince >any veterinarian in the area to treat the cat with >silver ions. Eventually he found a research >veterinarian practicing in Tijuana, Baja California, >Mexico, who anesthetized the cat, placed a silicone >rubber catheter containing a silver wire protruding >from its end into the superior vena cava via a jugular >vein. A cathode was attached to the skin of the chest. >The microamp power indicated above was applied for 22 >minutes by means of a small power supply, followed by >the nanoamp power for 90 minutes. It was assumed that >the cat would soon die of its disease. Thus the >primary purpose of this treatment was to determine >silver levels in the blood. It was found that the >natural level was increased only briefly by about 10%. >All animals maintain trace amounts of silver in the >body. Of great interest, however, is that by the >second post-treatment day the cat began eating well, >and within four weeks the many sores on its back and >ears had healed. The cat was treated in March, l996, >and at the present appears perfectly healthy. It is >not known whether some infectious agents remain in the >cat's body. > >Since that apparently successful effort, attempts have >been made to obtain the FIV infected cats for >treatment, but so far without success. We have been >informed, however, that in recent years neither the >FDA nor the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have >been requiring animal studies prior to evaluating >anti-HIV drugs in humans. > >Human Studies > >Cesar Garcia Ramirez, MD, practicing in Tijuana, >became aware of the FIV treatment, and felt that it >would be a compassionate act to at least try the >therapy on some of his dying AIDS patients. He >obtained permission from the Baja California Division >of Public Health, as well as agreement for the >treatment protocol from a group of physicians serving >as the Institutional Review Board (Human Studies >Committee). Volunteer patients were fully informed and >signed consent forms. Initially, three very ill >patients were chosen. Silver electrodes in silicon >rubber catheters were placed in arm veins and passed >up as far as the vena cava, or near to it. Each >patient was treated for 12 minutes at 2.5 microamps, >then for 72 hours at 125 microamps except that one >patient was treated for only 48 hours. All three >patients felt better by the second day, and >considerably better by Day 5. Viral loads dropped >precipitously, almost to zero in one patient and much >lower than the initial count in the other two. The >next three months were spent in equipment improvement, >seeking to be able to reduce viral loads rapidly to >zero in all patients, and to be able to maintain the >zero level for weeks or months if need be until the >badly damaged immune system has had time to recover >and be able to itself combat the infection. The virus >is present not only in the blood stream, but also in >lymph nodes and other organs of the body. > >Currently in the Tijuana study, catheters are >implanted in the subclavian vein (behind the clavicle) >and extend to the right auricle of heart, with the >electrode protruding from the end of the catheter. >Since the electrodes in their present form oxidize and >stop producing ions in about 5 days, the present >system allows the silver electrode to be removed and >replaced while the catheter remains in place. Using >this method, viral levels have been maintained at zero >or nearly so for six weeks in one patient. Her CD4 >count is now beginning to rise, as is the total >lymphocyte count. Most importantly, she feels much >better than prior to treatment. She also was infected >with herpes, hepatitis C, toxoplasmosis of the brain, >and cytomegalovirus (CMV) affecting one eye. It thus >is very surprising that the patient has improved so >much. > >Whether any of these secondary opportunistic >infections have in reality been successfully treated >can be determined only after prolonged follow-up. >Many more patients will need to be treated and >followed for these often-fatal complications. > >In addition to the work described above, 18 AIDS >patients, all seriously ill, are now under treatment. >The therapy is being done on a compassionate basis, >responding to very strong pressure from the local AIDS >community, their families and friends. Unfortunately, >in none of these 18 is adequate laboratory work being >performed, simply because the cost of the rather >extensive studies required to document the value of >silver ion therapy is too great. Virtually all of >these patients are destitute. It is very gratifying, >nevertheless, that all of them now are feeling much >better, and some quite well. It is little wonder that >there is such pressure for treatment. > >Side Effects of Silver Ion Therapy > >Until now no side effects attributable to this therapy >have been observed. It should be remembered that the >present most effective oral therapy available - >protease inhibitors used in combination with other >drugs - is quite toxic, producing many side effects, >enough so that some patients are unable to tolerate >the therapy. One patient that was treated with silver >ions for only 48 hours had a serious flare-up of his >herpes infection soon after the treatment was stopped. >On the other hand, the woman described above who was >treated for 6 weeks, experienced a disappearance of >her herpes lesion. At present it is impossible to say >whether the silver ion therapy was the cause of the >effect in either case. > >Silver Metal Toxicity > >Silver appears to be a relatively non-toxic trace >metal for mammals. It is largely metabolized and >excreted by the liver into the bile and eliminated >from the body. In the past the excessive and long term >use of silver compound nose and eye drops in some >people were found to produce a grayish discoloration >of the skin, termed "Argyria." Even the large amount >of silver required to produce this staining appeared >to cause no other problems. Some silver compounds, >such as silver nitrate, are highly caustic. It has >been observed that ingestion of 10 grams of this >substance is fatal to human adults, but the amount of >colloidal silver entering the body using the above >protocol is measured in micrograms. It is not certain >that some months of treatment will not produce >evidence of toxicity, but it is considered a very good >sign that none has been observed so far. > >Anticipated Further Studies > >As of the present only 4 patients have been treated >and followed with adequate laboratory studies. The >ideal design of the equipment and its use in the body >continues to need exploration. How long initial >therapy needs to be continued remains to be >determined, and whether periodic pretreatment will be >required can only be determined by long term follow-up >of the patients. Whether silver ion therapy will work >best in combination with other modes of treatment must >be explored. It is believed that for the initial Phase >1 studies conducted in Tijuana a total of 50 patients >need to be treated and carefully followed, collecting >enough laboratory and clinical data to present to the >US FDA, as well as regulatory bodies of other >countries, in order to gain permission to continue the >trials in the USA and elsewhere. Laboratory research >needs to accompany the clinical work. It seems likely >that there will be many other applications for silver >ion therapy, such as the treatment of septicemias >(bacteremias) and other infections. Septicemia is a >very common cause of death in seriously ill and in >some healthy patients who contract antibiotic >resistant ("killer") streptococci, as well as other >highly pathogenic bloodborne organisms. Septicemia >being bloodborne, should be immediately and forcefully >reacted upon by the silver ions. For antibiotic >resistant septicemias there presently are no >satisfactory therapeutic options, though many millions >of dollars have been spent in the search. > >Some of the many agents responsible for respiratory >infections may respond to the therapy. Preliminary >laboratory work can help define which infections are >more likely to respond. It is known that some >leukemias and certain other cancers are related to >viral infections. Some patients suffering from chronic >fatigue and similar syndromes may have indolent viral >infections. All of these possibilities need to be >explored as to whether or not they will respond to >silver ions. Agents of tropical diseases such as >malaria, typhoid, Chagas, and leishmaniasis should >undergo preliminary laboratory evaluation prior to >human trials. Lassa, Ebola and Hanta Viruses, often >rapidly fatal, might respond to quite short term, >easily administered therapy. Thus almost certainly the >most immediate and urgent use of silver ions will be >found in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and septicemia. >Still, many other possibilities eventually should be >explored. > >COPYRIGHT 1999. LIFE & HEALTH RESEARCH GROUP. Note: Information printed in this newsletter is >received from sources deemed reliable, but no >guarantee, express or implied, can be made regarding >the accuracy of same. Therefore readers are >encouraged to verify for themselves and to their own >satisfaction the accuracy of all reports, >recommendations, conclusions, comments, and opinions. >Additionally, the contents of this newsletter are >strictly for information purposes only, and should not in any way be construed as providing or attempting to >provide medical advice. You should always consult with a competent and fully- informed medical professional before making any personal or family health-care decisions.     Colloidal Silver: "A Closer Look" A Closer Look At Colloidal Silver By Peter A. Lindemann, Developer of the CS-300C and CS-300D Colloidal Silver Generators   During the last two years, a number of books and articles have appeared in public on the subject of colloidal silver. Some of these include: the Bio-Tech News Special Report, "Hi-Yo Silver"; Colloidal Silver, The Natural Antibiotic Alternative, by Zane Baranowski; Colloidal Silver, by Tonita d'Raye; and "Banishing Disease with Three Nine Volt Batteries", parts I & II, by Mark Metcalf. Literally hundreds of other newsletters and small publications have repeated the information in these articles without checking the content for accuracy. The appearance of these materials two years ago was the first wave of public education concerning colloidal silver. Today, most Health Food Stores carry and sell several brands of colloidal silver, scores of MLM companies have colloidal silver products in their lines, and prices are starting to drop. While it is still possible to spend as much as $10/oz. for colloidal silver in Health Food Stores, prices can be as low as $5/oz. Some mail order catalogs sell it for as little as $2.50/oz., and I have seen small classified ads selling it for under $1/oz. The trend is definitely toward a lower price. One of the phenomena driving the price down is the appearance of the devices that allow people to make their own colloidal silver. At this time, (Spring 1997) the cottage industry of colloidal silver generators is starting to penetrate the larger market. This is starting to cause alarm in high places. One major commercial manufacturer of colloidal silver has recently issued a warning statement to its customers, alerting them to the dangers of the "inferior quality" of colloidal silver made by these devices. CNN and other major media have also tried to scare the public away from colloidal silver by showing a blue-skinned person who "suffers" from Argyria, a cosmetic condition caused by the build-up of silver compounds under the skin. Even JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) has run articles warning of Argyria and the toxicities associated with "colloidal silver proteins." On January 16, 1997, new labeling guidelines concerning colloidal silver went into effect, issued by the FDA. Other FDA rulings on "safety and effectiveness" are still pending. With all of these developments, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the whole situation around colloidal silver is heating up! The purpose of this article is to raise the level of public knowledge to a higher degree of accuracy. Knowledge is power, and the public needs to know the truth about colloidal silver.   The first thing people need to know is that there are at least FOUR different products on the market being called COLLOIDAL SILVER. The first type of product is the classic, original kind, usually called "electro-colloidal silver." This product is made either by the "electro-arc" method in deionized water, or by the "low voltage electrolysis" method in distilled water. This product is usually found in concentrations between 3-5 ppm (parts per million), but sometimes as high as 100 ppm. Properly made, this product consists of microscopic particles of pure, elemental silver suspended in water, with no other elements present. Each particle of silver carries a POSITIVE electrical charge. Colloidal silver made this way appears either transparent-clear or transparent-light yellow. The second is called "mild silver protein." This product chemically binds microscopic particles of silver to a protein molecule. It is usually found in concentrations between 20-40 ppm. Its appearance may be transparent-clear or amber. The third are "silver salts." These products can be made either chemically or electro-chemically and usually create a form of silver that DISSOLVES in the water. Concentrations range between 50-500 ppm. Its appearance is transparent-clear. The silver particles do carry a POSITIVE electrical charge, but almost invariably, these products contain other elements or compounds other than silver. The fourth is sometimes referred to as "powdered silver." This product was developed by the Russians and is made when a pure silver wire is rapidly disintegrated by an high voltage electrical discharge, similar to an old photographic flash bulb. The microscopic silver dust is collected and either dissolved in water or added to salves and creams for topical use. Concentrations range from 100-500 ppm. All of these products work, to one degree or another, as a broad spectrum germicide because they all contain microscopic particles of SILVER. That said, it is important to understand a number of things: 1) all of these products are not "colloidal suspensions" of silver, 2) these products DO NOT all behave the same in the body or in laboratory tests, 3) effectiveness and dosage varies from product to product, 4) quality varies from product to product and from batch to batch with the same product, and 5) they are NOT all uniformly safe and non-toxic. There are no industry standards that manufacturers voluntarily follow to assure quality control and there is no governmental regulation of the industry. On the other hand, there are millions and millions of satisfied colloidal silver users who would like to have continued, free access to the product, and a growing number of manufacturers entering the market with a wide variety of new products. The critical factors that make a "good" colloidal silver product are particle size, purity, concentration, and cost. The only way to authoritatively determine the first three is by laboratory analysis. The best way to determine particle size is by electron microscope photograph. The best way to determine purity is by mass spectroscopy or by x-ray defraction analysis. The best way to determine concentration is by chemical analysis of total dissolved solids. The cost of the product should be calculated in reference to the total quantity of silver present, such as: $5.00/oz of 100 ppm is equal to 25¢/oz of 5 ppm (the first has 20 times more silver by volume and costs 20 times more by volume.)   Making Your Own The simplest way to control these factors is to make the colloidal silver for yourself. By doing this, you will not know exactly what is there unless you do laboratory testing, but you will have a pretty good idea. Without laboratory testing of commercial p