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Colloidal Minerals - Miracle or Menace
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Silver Water marketer busted by Health CanadaBased on a number of complaints by HealthWatcher.net the supply of Silver Water being sold by Petrolia Magnetic Health was temporarily flushed. We understand that a well-known quack is still at it, but this time he relabeled the junk as "mineral water". What games these folks play at the expense of our health. U.S. based shipments are still coming in labeled as "homeopathic" colloidal silver. These folks won't quit!
Patrick Flanagan and Medical Media Circus
When an internationally known medical columnist started to promote Imedeen earlier this year as a cure for wrinkles, we took notice and complained to the College of Physicians. A few months later, the doctor touted something called Microhydrin, which is a mixture of minerals that is supposed to be the fountain of youth, the cure for chronic diseases and more. Why did he give out the toll-free telephone orders for both products in his column? If Pfizer or Roche released a new drug, would he give out the phone number to the wholesale drug warehouse to his readers?
The internet, and my mailbox has been overflowing with
the Essence of Joel. This large animal doctor and naturopath,
so he claims, leads the world in perhaps the number one nutritional scam
on the face of this mineral laden planet.
Below you will find the quintessential links to the most
curious health claims that I have ever heard. The problem with them is
that even doctors might believe them, the FTC has ignored them, and the
FDA can't do a damn thing about them.
Warnings
- Rosemary Jacobs - Silver FAQs
- One Woman's Tale Has No Silver Lining"ASK ME WHY I'm gray." It's an invitation not usually seen on a T-shirt,
and one that is as arresting as the petite 57-year-old woman wearing it at a
recent conference. Rosemary Jacobs has been gray-her skin ranges from the
color of a filing cabinet to a kind of dove gray-for more than 40 years.
- Colloidal Mineral Supplements: Unnecessary and Potentially Hazardous
Ten of thousands of Americans are currently serving as unwitting subjects in an undocumented test of their safety. Some
scientists are especially concerned about the widespread administration of these products to children. Unfortunately, since
colloidal minerals are classified as dietary supplements, no safety or efficacy testing was required before they were marketed.
Action to prohibit their sale can only be taken if it is demonstrated that the products are adulterated (i.e., toxic), misbranded, or
that specific medical treatment claims have been made for them.
- Colloidal Silver: Risk Without Benefit Stephen BarrettIn October 1996, the FDA proposed to ban the use of colloidal silver or silver salts in over-the-counter products. A Final
Rule banning such use was issued on August 17, 1999 and became effective September 16th. The rule applies to any
nonprescription colloidal silver or silver salt product claimed to be effective in preventing or treating any disease. Silver
products can still be sold as "dietary supplements" provided that no health claims are made for them.
Joel Wallach
- Dr. Joel Wallach's
home page - Wellness Publications
- Minerals 4-U-
Virgin Earth site
- Is
Dr. Wallach partial fraud, a moderate fraud or a total fraud - a current
selection of a simple Google Group Search brings us these tasteful ditties
Wallach is a complete fraud and anyone that believes in
his drivel (particularly concerning colloidal minerals) is either ignorant
or a deceptive cheat.
Dr. Wallach was just discussed on another NG. He's a veterinarian
turned health freak guru and has no clue what he's talking about. He was
never nominated for a Nobel prize! He's looking to make a killing selling
minerals to the ill informed. Nothing more.
Wallach is a total and utter quack. He is an ND, and a
veteranarian. He is not licensed to perform human medical autopsies, as
he claims. He was 'nominated for the nobel prize' by a group of quacks
(ND's) who simply sent his name in the mail to the Nobel Commitee. Anyone
can nominate anyone for a Nobel Prize.
If you want trace minerals in your diet, don't consume
acidified dirt. Use evaporated sea salt, containing natural forms of all
trace minerals in their natural form. Makes your food taste better too.
I still maintain, on good prima facie evidence, that Wallach
is a quack radio show host who makes a killing with an MLM scam by pretending
to be a physician. Gullible people like Kottlove believe him, and send
him money.
- HEALTH
FRAUD ALERT: These Tapes Don't Tell Little Lies!
- So
what does Joel Wallach have to say about CF?
- Dead
docs live how long? - "Dead Doctors Don't Lie" - A critique
by Steve Cherniske, M.S.
- Need
A Cure for Your Pig's Alzheimers? - In recent months, Joel Wallach
has delivered two series of "free seminars" in my neck of the
woods. One of his newspaper advertisements caught my attention because,
in it, he claimed to have discovered "a cure for Alzheimer's disease
in pigs." I found this curious, because -- being a veterinarian myself,
I was pretty certain pigs didn't GET Alzheimer's. Since this and many other
claims in his promotional literature seemed clearly preposterous to me,
I decided to check them -- and him -- out. It was quite an entertaining
and illuminating process. I ended up writing and placing phone calls all
over the US and even as far afield as Sweden.
- DOC'S
COLLOIDAL MINERAL ROCKS - this one comes from a mine in Utah.
- Academic
discussion - Well let's say that someone is really pissed off at those
who support Dr. Wallach's credentials
- HEALTH
FRAUD ALERT: These Tapes Don't Tell Little Lies! - Dr. Wallach cites
no legitimate studies or recognized statistics as support for this incredible
assertion on his tapes. He does indicate that his hobby is collecting doctor's
obituaries and recording their age at death. This is not, by any definition,
a scientific study of life expectancy.
- Dead
docs tell tall tales? - The basic danger of Dr. Wallach is not that
people will be harmed by taking colloidal minerals, or even that many people
will be wasting their money on a product they do not need. Many of his
claims are not backed up with scientific control studies, but are anecdotal
or fictional. Because he and other naturopaths exaggerate the role of minerals
in good health, he may be totally ignored by the scientific community even
if the naturopaths happen to hit upon some real connections between minerals
and disease. Furthermore, there is the chance that legitimate scientific
researchers may avoid this field for fear of being labelled a kook.
- Colloidal
minerals are flying off the shelves of health food stores -- and could
be dangerous. - By Brian Alexander, Reprinted from Self Magazine, March
1997
You may have heard of something called "colloidal
minerals" (microscopic mineral particles suspended in a liquid) either
from a friend who's taking them or from someone who wants to sell them
to you. Despite a label listing a frightening-sounding array of ingredients
-- lead, cadmium, arsenic, cesium, strontium and other potentially toxic
substances -- health food stores in major cities across the country report
that these liquid "health tonics," at $30 to $50 a bottle, are
among their best sellers.
Quack nutritionist Paula Bickle
Paula Ruth Bickle hosts the 5-day-a-week hour-long, Internet-based "Dr. Paula" radio show during which she gives detailed (but usually incorrect) medical and nutrition advice to people who call about serious health concerns. She advises most people to treat themselves with products from American Longevity, a multilevel marketing company for whom she and her husband are leading distributors. The company's products are promoted during commercials that occupy about half of each show. Bickle frequently advises people to distrust prevailing medical opinions and to use specific products to treat themselves. American Longevity was founded by Joel Wallach, DVM, who is best known for his deceptive promotion of colloidal minerals.
The case against colloidal minerals
FDA crack down on Colloidal Silver hits fever pitch
Late March, 2001 was a significant time in the battle against colloidal silver claims. The FDA made public four letters that it sent during March to Internet distributors of colloidal silver. The new letters bring the total for the year to nearly 20.
- FDA warns chiropractor that colloidal silver and olive oil leaf can't be used to treat anthrax - March 20, 2002
- FDA cracks down - Reuter's Health - March 30, 2001
- Click here for list of latest FDA .pdf files. Scroll down to colloidal silver section for 2001. The Cyber Letters are similar.
- First FTC complaint - FTC vs. New Vision International. They targeted children with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
"God's Recipe" may be a bit of devil's work, eh? - The company has advertised, promoted, offered for sale, sold, and distributed various
nutritional supplements, including: (a) "PC Grape Seed Extract with an Herbal Blend;" (b)
"Essential Minerals;" and (c) "Multi-Enzymes with Alfalfa/Barley Sprouts." In some of his
promotional materials, respondent collectively referred to these products as "God's Recipe,"
and touted them as a natural alternative to the prescription drug Ritalin for children suffering
from Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ("ADD/ADHD").
These products are "'foods’ and/or ?drugs'," within the meaning of Sections 12 and 15 of the
Federal Trade Commission Act.
- FTC's 1999 complaint
- FTC individual consent order against Max James.
IT IS ORDERED that respondent, directly or through any corporation, partnership, subsidiary,
division, or other device, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion,
offering for sale, sale, or distribution of "God's Recipe," or any food, drug or dietary
supplement, in or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner,
expressly or by implication, that:
A. Such products can cure, prevent, treat or mitigate Attention Deficit Disorder or its
symptoms;
B. Such products can cure, prevent, treat or mitigate Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder or its symptoms; or
C. Such products are an effective alternative treatment to the prescription drug Ritalin for
Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder;
unless, at the time the representation is made, respondent possesses and relies upon competent
and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the representation.
- FTC case against MLM promotion
- Second FTC complaint - 1999
- MLM Company to Settle FTC Charges That It Made
Unsubstantiated Claims That Its "God's Recipe" Dietary Regimen Could
Cure ADD/ADHD
- FDA's Final Rule against colloidal silver - The FDA has issued a Final Rule declaring that all over- the-counter (OTC) drug
products containing colloidal silver or silver salts are not recognized as safe and effective and are
misbranded.
- FDA Final Rule - Full Text
21 CFR Part 310
[Docket No. 96N-0144]
Over-the-Counter Drug Products Containing Colloidal Silver
Ingredients or Silver Salts
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule
establishing that all over-the-counter (OTC) drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for internal or external use are not generally recognized as safe and effective and are misbranded. FDA is issuing this final rule because many OTC drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts are being marketed for numerous serious disease conditions and FDA is not aware of any substantial scientific evidence that supports the use of OTC colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for these disease conditions.
- National
Council Against Health Fraud point of view - Wallach is "bizarre
caricature of a quack," says John H. Renner, M.D., a director of the
National Council Against Health Fraud. In fact, notes Dr. Renner, Dead
Doctors Don't Lie is riddled with distortions, bogus science and lies.
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Consumer Sentinel Complaints
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