Miracle Mineral Supplement

Miracle Mineral Supplement, often referred to as Miracle Mineral Solution or MMS, is the colloquial product name for an aqueous solution of 28% sodium chlorite, a toxic chemical^{[1][2][3][4][5]} known to cause fatal renal failure,^[6] in distilled water. When prepared with a citric acid solution as described in its instructions for preparation, the mixture produces chlorine dioxide, a potent oxidizing agent used in water treatment and in bleaching.^[7] The name was first coined by author, Jim Humble, in his 2006 self-published book, The Miracle Mineral Solution of the 21st Century.^[8]

MMS is promoted as a cure for 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.^[9][10] MMS is often described as a water purifier so as to circumvent regulations prohibiting the sale of unregulated medicines.^[11] In January 2010, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that one vendor admitted that they do not repeat any of Jim Humble's claims in writing to circumvent regulations against using it as a medicine.^[12] 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". ^[13]

Safety

In December 2009 an alert was issued by the Belgian Poison Control Centre to the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. In response to this, an evaluation was performed by the French "Comité de coordination de toxicovigilance" in March 2010, warning about a dose dependent irritation and possible toxic effects. They also warned that patients affected by serious diseases could be tempted to stop their treatments in favour of this alternative treatment.^[14] A similar 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.^[7]

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.^[15] 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."^[16][17]

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.^[18] 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.^[19] 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.^[20] 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.^[21] 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.^[22] According to the same organisation "chlorine dioxide is a severe respiratory and eye irritant in humans".^[22]

References

1. ^ Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, McGraw-Hill Professional; 8th edition (March 28, 2006), ISBN 978-0071437639
2. ^ "Chlorates" (in French). Belgian Poison Centre. http://www.poisoncentre.be/article.php?id_article=39. Retrieved 2011-02-17. 
3. ^ Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. Robert E. Gosselin, Roger P. Smith, Harold C. Hodge, Jeannet Braddock. Uitgever: Williams & Wilkins; 5 edition (September 1984) ISBN 978-0683036329
4. ^ Sodium Chlorite - Summary Report of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products - Veterinary Medicines Evaluation Unit [1]
5. ^ "Health Risks Associated with Use of Miracle Mineral Solution". Health Canada. 12 May 2010. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_74-eng.php. Retrieved 2011-02-17. 
6. ^ Acute sodium chlorite poisoning associated with renal failure. Lin JL, Lim PS. Ren Fail. 1993;15(5):645-8. PMID: 8290712
7. ^ ^{a b} "FDA Warns Consumers of Serious Harm from Drinking Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS)". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm220747.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
8. ^ "Miracle Mineral". Miracle Mineral. http://www.miraclemineral.org/part1.php. Retrieved 2010-04-07. 
9. ^ F.D.A. Warning letter
10. ^ Calligeros, Marissa (24 April 2009). "Backyard cancer 'healer' deceived patients". The Brisbine Times. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/backyard-cancer-healer-deceived-patients-20090423-agcy.html. Retrieved 28 December 2009. 
11. ^ Jensen, Erik (2010-01-09). "Deadly chemical being sold as miracle cure". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/national/deadly-chemical-being-sold-as-miracle-cure-20100108-lyvl.html. Retrieved 2011-02-18. 
12. ^ Harvey, Sarah (2010-01-24). "'Miracle' chemical dubbed a danger". Sunday Star Times. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/news/3257125/Miracle-chemical-dubbed-a-danger. Retrieved 2011-02-18. 
13. ^ Barrett, Stephen (2 April 1997.). "Ten Ways to Avoid Being Quacked". http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/avoid.html. 
14. ^ "Evaluation des risques liés à la consommation du produit dénommé « Solution Minérale Miracle » (MMS)". Comité de coordination de Toxicovigilance. march 2010. http://www.centres-antipoison.net/CCTV/Rapport_CCTV_Solution_minerale_miracle_2010.pdf. 
15. ^ "Praise for Rhys Morgan, 15, over 'miracle' cure alert". BBC News Online. 15 October 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11540146. 
16. ^ Food Standards Agency. "Warning against consumption of Miracle Mineral Solution". http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2010/sep/mms. 
17. ^ "Alert issued on danger supplement". BBC News. 2010-09-24. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11404218. 
18. ^ "Chlorite (sodium salt) (CASRN 7758-19-2) | IRIS | US EPA". Epa.gov. http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0648.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-07. 
19. ^ "Chlorine dioxide (CASRN 10049-04-4) | IRIS | US EPA". Epa.gov. http://www.epa.gov/NCEA/iris/subst/0496.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-07. 
20. ^ Subchronic toxicity of chlorine dioxide and related compounds in drinking water in the nonhuman primate. 2010-02-25. PMC 1569048. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1569048. 
21. ^ "Toxicity of Chlorine Dioxide in Drinking Water - International Journal of Toxicology". Informaworld.com. http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a784744406&db=all. Retrieved 2010-04-07. 
22. ^ ^{a b} "Chlorine Dioxide". Osha.gov. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/chlorinedioxide/recognition.html. Retrieved 2010-04-07.