Governments Warn Against 'Miracle' SupplementGovernments Warn Against 'Miracle' Supplement

I believe in miracles, but I know they don't come in a jar, no matter how much I want to believe it. Health Canada shares my view and warned its citizens against using the MMS ("Miracle Mineral Solution") supplement because it contains  sodium chlorite, an ingredient that acts as a bleach in high doses. The product is promoted as a detoxifier.

FDA also doesn't believe in this kind of miracles, as it issued a warning against MMS in August 2010. Back then, FDA said this oral liquid, when used as directed, produces an industrial bleach. The agency stated it has received several serious adverse event reports (AERs), including severe nausea, vomiting, and life-threatening low blood pressure from dehydration. It recommended  consumers immediately cease use of the product and dispose of it.

In an advisory posted earlier this week, Health Canada said no therapeutic products are authorized to contain sodium chlorite for oral consumption by humans in Canada per the Food and Drugs Act. The agency said sodium chlorite may cause poisoning, kidney failure, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and harm to red blood cells that reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Sodium chlorite is authorized in Canada for use as a germicide by veterinarians and as a hard surface disinfectant.

Health Canada said it has received reports indicated ingestion of this product has been associated with four adverse reactions in Canada, including one life-threatening reaction.

The label of MMS claims to contain 28-percent sodium chlorite solution. Based on these claims, when taken as directed, MMS provides approximately 200 times more sodium chlorite than the tolerable daily intake of sodium chlorite in water established by Health Canada.

Since the advisory, the website that sold the supplement, themmsstore.com, has been removed; Health Canada directed consumers to contact the distributor at (403) 652-1655 of they have questions or seek refunds.

 Health Canada said it notified the distributor of the illegality of its businesses, and the agency said the company has agreed to halt sales, at least in Canada.  It's still available in the United States.

With warnings against the supplement from both FDA and Canada (and with the various AERs), I would hope MMS would stop its sales completely; but getting all companies to operate with the health of the consumer in mind may just be a miracle.