Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) - Anything But Miraculous

Government agencies on four continents issue warnings against "miracle" product

Would you drink bleach straight out of the bottle? I wouldn't.

Yet that is essentially what the marketers of Miracle Mineral Solution (a.k.a. Mineral Mineral Supplement, a.k.a. MMS) recommend to gullible consumers.

MMS is a 28% solution of sodium chlorite, an industrial strength bleach and disinfecting agent. Household bleach, by comparison, contains 3-6% of sodium hypochlorite, and is diluted further for use.

Canada was the first to notify the public of the hazards associated using MMS, after receiving reports of two adverse reactions associated with the use of the product, including one life-threatening reaction. On May 12, 2010, Health Canada issued an Advisory against the use of MMS, saying:

"Miracle Mineral Solution distributed by MMSsupplier.com claims to contain 28% sodium chlorite solution. Based on these claims, when taken as directed, Miracle Mineral Solution provides approximately 200 times more sodium chlorite than the tolerable daily intake of sodium chlorite in water established by Health Canada.

No drug products containing sodium chlorite have been approved by Health Canada for oral consumption by humans. Sodium chlorite is authorized in Canada for use as a germicide by veterinarians and as a hard surface disinfectant. Sodium chlorite is commonly used for bleaching textiles, pulp and paper, as well as in the generation of disinfectant for drinking water treatment.

Ingestion of water treated with Miracle Mineral Solution (28% sodium chlorite solution) has been associated with two adverse reactions in Canada, including one life threatening reaction. Health Canada advises that oral consumption of sodium chlorite may cause health problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea or more serious problems such as, poisoning, kidney failure and harm to red blood cells that reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, among others."

Since May, several other government agencies also have taken action against this product, which is sold worldwide over the internet.

• The US Food and Drug Administration issued its own warning to consumers on July 30th, reporting that it had received "... several reports of health injuries from consumers using this product, including severe nausea, vomiting, and life-threatening low blood pressure from dehydration." FDA reiterated its warning in a Consumer Update on October 1st.
• On September 16th, the Kenya Health Ministry warned Kenyans against using MMS, according to a report in The Daily Nation.
• The UK Food Standards Agency, on September 24th, warned the general public and local authorities that MMS should not be on the market in the United Kingdom, saying that, when the product was 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," the FSA warning added, "it could cause damage to the gut and red blood cells, potentially resulting in respiratory failure."
• France's Ministère de la Santé et des Sports chimed in with its own public warning on October 5th, after receiving reports of adverse reactions from poison control centers.
• The New Zealand Ministry of Health – Medsafe – announced on October 8th that MMS "...has not been assessed for quality, safety and effectiveness..." and recommended that consumers stop using the product.
• The Netherlands Food Safety Authority issued its own warning – also on October 8th – although no adverse reactions have been reported in that country.

There are a number of "natural" remedies that are touted as miracle cures. Some of them are beneficial. Others, while harmless, are no better than placebos. And a few – like Miracle Mineral Solution – are downright dangerous.

It is likely that more consumer alerts will follow.

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