Fighting SARS

Perhaps you’ve heard by now about the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) breakthrough announced just yesterday. Researchers have identified the previously suspected corona virus as the cause of SARS. This is a very promising and important turning point in this international health crisis because scientists can now focus on much more specific possibilities for diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

But with almost 3,500 people known to be infected, and with close to 150 deaths so far, the seriousness of this threat is far from over.

Earlier this week I read a report about the sudden popularity of turnips in Beijing, China, based on a rumor that turnip is the active ingredient in a potion touted to protect against SARS. Turnip prices in Beijing have suddenly jumped and are still on the rise. Turnips are a good source of vitamin C, as well as calcium, potassium and iron, but I can’t confirm that turnip consumption will offer any specific protection from SARS.

An HSI member named Bob, however, had a question about a somewhat controversial alternative therapy that he thinks may help in the SARS campaign:

“Inasmuch as colloidal silver has been documented effective against so many viruses similar to the coronavirus (pre-1938), what conceivable reason could the CDC, etc., have for not even TRYING it as a treatment for SARS? Obviously, they would rather see us all die than approve a non-patentable, non-pharmaceutical drug/vaccine for general use.”

But even among those who believe in the merits of colloidal silver (CS), there’s some question about its effectiveness against a virus (such as SARS) as opposed to bacteria.

I asked HSI panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., if he thought CS would be a useful tool in fighting SARS, and he agrees with Dr. Jonathan V. Wright who believes that CS is a proven bacteria fighter. Here’s what Dr. Spreen had to say:

“My take on the effectiveness of colloidal silver is that it disrupts an enzyme system specific only to bacteria, hence it would not affect human health (other than killing bacteria), and presumably it wouldn’t work against viruses. HOWEVER nobody really knows why/how CS really works anyway. The conventional people like to say it doesn’t work at all, but there’s just too much evidence to refute that, not to mention that most reputable carbon water filter manufacturers impregnate their filters against the bacteria that form within stagnant water (it’s impossible to really dry the insides of one of those filters) by usingsilver.”

So is CS still worth a try against SARS? Many supporters of colloidal silver are convinced that it’s also a virus fighter, so I’m sure they would answer, “yes,” to that question. But I would be strongly inclined to side with Dr. Spreen and Dr. Wright on this one, especially because there are other natural and effective anti-viral agents available. In an e-Alert I sent you last fall (“Be AfraidBe Very Afraid – Part II” 10/17/03), Dr. Spreen told us about olive leaf extract and grapefruit seed extract – both of which fight virus as well as bacteria.

Dr. Spreen calls olive leaf extract an “amazing substance(that) has been officially tested as an antimicrobial agent, with sufficient power to achieve a published status in peer-review journals.” And he calls grapefruit seed extract a “natural antibiotic,” and sites extensive research that has demonstrated its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties.

A quick check on the Internet shows that Bob is by no means the first person to think of colloidal silver in the fight against SARS. It will be interesting to see if the Chinese, who are generally more open to complementary medicine, will take this opportunity to treat any of the SARS cases with an alternative therapy like olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract, or colloidal silver.

On a more personal note, I’ve told you before that we’ve worked closely with Dr. Robert Atkins in the past. His work — and his willingness to stand up against the tide — are truly legendary in complementary medicine circles. His death brings us great personal and professional sadness. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family and loved ones.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute

Sources:
“Scientists Identify SARS Virus” Lisa Schlein, Voice Of America, voanews.com “Turnips Touted as SARS Cure in Beijing” Reuters, 4/15/03