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Revision as of 02:38, 13 January 2011 by Shuzammy (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Miracle Mineral Supplement, often referred to as Miracle Mineral Solution or MMS, is the name for a product often used as an alternative therapy; MMS is an aqueous solution of 28% sodium chlorite in distilled water. When mixed with a food-grade acid such as citric acid, a chemical compound called chlorine dioxide is produced. The name, MMS, was first coined by author, Jim Humble, in his 2006 self-published book, The Miracle Mineral Solution of the 21st Century.
MMS is promoted as a remedy against HIV, malaria, hepatitis viruses, the H1N1 flu virus, common colds, acne, against cancer, and much more. However reliable scientific evidence supports only dangers from use of the substance and not any clinical efficacy; claims of benefit come only from anecdotal reports and Jim Humble's book. Stephen Barrett M.D. an expert in health fraud, advises to "Be skeptical of any product claimed to be effective against a wide range of unrelated diseases—particularly diseases that are serious. There is no such thing as a panacea or "cure-all." "
Safety
A notice was released in July 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning that the instructions for preparing the solution by mixing it with an acidic solution, or even orange juice, would produce chlorine dioxide, "a potent bleach used for stripping textiles and industrial water treatment." Because of reports including nausea, vomiting, and dangerously low blood pressure as a result of dehydration following instructed use, the FDA has advised consumers to dispose of the product immediately.
In the UK, the Food Standards Agency also released a warning, following the warnings from Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in it they stated that "MMS is a 28% sodium chlorite solution which is equivalent to industrial-strength bleach. When taken as directed it could cause severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, potentially leading to dehydration and reduced blood pressure. If the solution is diluted less than instructed, it could cause damage to the gut and red blood cells, potentially resulting in respiratory failure."
MMS is not approved for the treatment of any disease and chronic exposure to small doses of chlorine dioxide could cause reproductive and neurodevelopmental damage, according to the EPA. A short term study found no effects in hematological or urine chemistry or in physical symptoms in human volunteers over a period of 84 days. While studies of chlorine dioxide effects in humans are rare, studies on animal subjects are more common; chlorine dioxide has been shown to impair thyroid function and reduce T4 cell count in monkeys after 6 months. Another study in rats resulted in reduced red blood cells count when exposed to 100 mg/L of Chlorine Dioxide concentration in their drinking water, after 3 months. The United States Department of Labour restricts occupational exposure through inhalation of chlorine dioxide to 0.1ppm since concentrations at 10ppm resulted in deaths in rats, after 10 days while a case where a worker was accidentally exposed to 19ppm resulted in death. According to the same organisation "chlorine dioxide is a severe respiratory and eye irritant in humans".
Effects
The principal reported effect of MMS is nausea, which is claimed by the promoters to be the body trying to rid itself of the "toxins" which MMS purportedly releases; in fact, nausea and vomiting are documented symptoms of chlorine dioxide poisoning.
References
- "Miracle Mineral". Miracle Mineral. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
- F.D.A. Warning letter
- Calligeros, Marissa (24 April 2009). "Backyard cancer 'healer' deceived patients". The Brisbine Times. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
- Barrett, Stephen (2 April 1997.). "Ten Ways to Avoid Being Quacked".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Praise for Rhys Morgan, 15, over 'miracle' cure alert". BBC News Online. 15 October 2010.
- Food Standards Agency. "Warning against consumption of Miracle Mineral Solution".
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11404218
- "Chlorite (sodium salt) (CASRN 7758-19-2) | IRIS | US EPA". Epa.gov. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
- "Chlorine dioxide (CASRN 10049-04-4) | IRIS | US EPA". Epa.gov. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
- "Subchronic toxicity of chlorine dioxide and related compounds in drinking water in the nonhuman primate". Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2010-02-25. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
- "Toxicity of Chlorine Dioxide in Drinking Water - International Journal of Toxicology". Informaworld.com. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
- ^ "Chlorine Dioxide". Osha.gov. Retrieved 2010-04-07.