The advent of ground breaking
biomedical research by Dr. Robert O. Becker and other researchers in
the 1970's, sparked a renewed interest in colloidal silver. Research
results published in periodicals and books such as Dr. Robert O.
Becker's "The Body Electric," which chronicles the exciting
laboratory and real life results he observed & demonstrated
regarding the practical health benefits of colloidal silver. Other
information and research results about colloidal silver prior to the
1970's also began to circulate. Initially a privileged few had the
knowledge to produce colloidal silver. These modern day alchemists &
entrepreneurs who possessed the know-how, were able to make large
batches of colloidal silver very inexpensively.
Word of mouth spread the excitement as person after person
voluntarily shared their personal healing testimonials with others.
If their experiences were simply a bunch of hype, the trend would
surely have died out by now. With so many people convinced of
profound healing and disease prevention due to their use of
colloidal silver, as well as astounding laboratory test results,
preliminary and ongoing "In Vivo clinical trials," the consequence
is that the demand for access to colloidal silver and information
about colloidal silver has become great.
As the demand increased, producers were able to sell the colloidal
silver that they made for a few dollars a gallon to the general
public for dollars an ounce! Initially it was marketed as a "natural
antibiotic." The general understanding by the producers, was that
colloidal silver was grandfathered in as a pre (FDA) substance that
could be produced packaged and marketed without dealing with FDA
regulations, if it was produced and used in the same manner as done
before 1938.
With this in mind, there entered into the market numerous mom & pop
operations, who also produced colloidal silver inexpensively and for
a nice profit. This didn't please the other larger manufactures, who
were realizing healthy profits. At first it wasn't a big problem
because the demand kept escalating, even though there has been very
little coverage in the media.
Many of these well meaning present day alchemists were unable to get
accurate information about how to produce the best colloidal silver.
Informative instruction about proper production technique continues
to be difficult to obtain. This situation became an opportunity for
the big guys to discredit the few who didn't have a clue, as well as
discourage all attempts to make it inexpensively at home in the
process. The (AMA) provided fuel for the fire with their articles
about Argyria. Which whether intentional or not, effectively scared
people away from colloidal silver.
Information about colloidal silver was distributed even faster as
the world wide web became popular. Instructions that outlined how to
make it simply and inexpensively began to spread. The release of
this not always accurate information also came with a price.
The lure of easy large profits, virtually no regulations for
marketing or manufacturing, cheap and easy means of production and
distribution, using perhaps insufficient data, coupled with high
demand, created a scenario that was too tempting for some. These
individuals proceeded to place profit above genuine caring. The
price paid was people not getting what they needed or paid for, as
products with little, questionable or negligible value began to find
their way to the marketplace. This only served to illegitimate and
discredit the emerging industry as a whole.
In 1992, Dr. J. Cardot, reportedly was frustrated by inconsistent
results regarding the effectiveness of the colloidal silver that he
was able to obtain and administer to patients in his practice. As a
result he is said to have approached (DEDI) Discovery Experimental &
Development, Inc. which is a pharmaceutical company. Though I have
not confirmed the following, he reportedly asked (DEDI) to evaluate
the product he was using for possible problems, and address the
possibility of developing a superior product. Apparently a
legitimate concern, in light of the situation.
The (DEDI) reportedly quickly found the problem, and are said to
have contacted the manufacturer regarding the problem, the
manufacturer of the colloidal silver product in question is said to
have responded that they would address the problem. In the course of
events it seems if an attempt to fix the problem was made, it was a
poor one.
A few short months later, DEDI (the pharmaceutical company)
announced that they had developed a "unique" process to produce an
extremely stable silver solution. MSP (Mild Silver Protein) a
process that infuses the silver into a particular type of protein,
by their accounts it possesses enhanced antibacterial properties and
stability. It was reportedly further tested and was said to be
highly stable. The product was then sent to the (NIH) National
Institute of Health, as well as doctors and universities for
testing. Suddenly test results began to surface which clearly
demonstrate the amazing potential of colloidal silver. The
development of this product and it's subsequent submission to the
NIH, universities and MDs appears to be the reason that the
astounding test results regarding colloidal silver were conducted in
the first place.
For a time people selling colloidal silver advertised in their sales
literature, that; "the FDA has no control over colloidal silver
because it is a pure mineral element". .
After several rulings, such as In
1997 on January 16, the FDA issued new guidelines regarding
colloidal silver labeling that went into effect. It is no longer
permissible to label colloidal silver as an antibiotic. For now it
may be labeled as a mineral supplement.
How long do you think a situation like this will go on where too
many individuals are making blatant unsubstantiated medical claims
about colloidal silver with little or no supporting evidence, and
pedaling inferior untested products that make their way into
people's hands for internal consumption, with no existing standards,
regulations or testing for quality etc.?
It got somebody's attention, Who? That's right (WHO) the WORLD
HEALTH ORGANIZATION, and the FDA. The following is an article in the
public domain at The United Nations web site in the (WHO) World
Health Organization section. "WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter (world
Health Organization) Nos. 5&6, May&June 1997"
"Regulatory actions
Colloidal silver or silver salts - proposed rule : no longer
acceptable in over-the-counter products United States of America.
The Food and Drug Administration has proposed a rule establishing
that over-the-counter products containing colloidal silver
ingredients or silver salts for internal or external use are no
longer acceptable.
The agency is issuing this proposal because colloidal silver
ingredients or silver salts are being marketed for numerous serious
disease conditions and the agency is not aware of any substantial
scientific evidence that supports their use for these diseases,
which include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS, cancer,
and many infectious diseases.
The dosage form of these colloidal silver products is usually oral,
but product labeling also contains directions for topical and,
occasionally, intravenous use. Some products have been offered for
sale by mail order.
Manufacturers are invited to submit any existing data and
information that support the safety and effectiveness of colloidal
silver ingredients or silver salts for use other than as an
astringent (silver nitrate), a smoking deterrent (silver nitrate or
silver acetate) or mild silver protein as an ophthalmic
anti-infective, all of which have already been reviewed by the
agency and found ineffective.
Reference: Federal Register 61(200): 53685-53688 (1996). " (End of
quote)
The FDA went head on with the issue
of Colloidal Silver, manufactures were given an opportunity to
present to the FDA proof, that met their criteria, to them before
thay made a final ruling. A final ruling was made and use as a
medicine, or medical claims associated with the "Grandfather Clause"
were dissallowed. See:
?[Federal Register: August 17, 1999
(Volume 64, Number 158)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 44653-44658]
From http://www.access.gpo.gov:
PDF
TEXT
Colloidal silver is still allowed as
a dietary supplement. For detailed information about the ruling, and
considerations for anyone considering any commercial use of
colloidal silver should also read the Research pages by clicking the
"Research" link on the top of the main page.
Next article:
Lab Test Results, The Reasons To
Continue Research
