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
