Bill,
You are trying to divert attention from the salient issues again by harping on what some might consider a negative buzz word: homeopathy. The important issue isn't whether Zicam is labeled as homeopathic. The important issue is whether the active ingredient in Zicam (zinc gluconate) is effective against the common cold. The fact that zinc gluconate is in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States permits Zicam to be labeled as homeopathic and it is fallacious to conclude that NO homeopathic products work just because SOME or even MOST don't work.
Zicam contains 2% of its active ingredient, which is atypical for homeopathic remedies. The comment that I hear from doctors is that they don't even consider Zicam to be homeopathic because the concentration of its active ingredient is much higher than typical homeopathic products. The common cold is a self limiting illness, so even if Zicam doesn't work, consumers aren't going to get hurt by taking it. If it doesn't work, consumers won't buy it again and word of mouth would shorten the life cycle to one or two seasons. However, based on feedback received by the company from pharmacists, consumers, and buyers, it is clear that consumers are pleased with Zicam's effectiveness. This is with little advertising, so word of mouth and repeat sales must be largely responsible for follow on sales after the initial publicity. In addition, 21 Code of Federal Regulations, section 182.8988, page 423 identifies Zinc Gluconate as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS).
As I said, the important issue is whether Zicam is effective against the common cold. It makes no difference if it is labeled as homeopathic. It only matters if it works. Here is some research that relates zinc, the rhinovirus, and the ICAM-1 receptors. When you put them together, one can see why people are having tremendous success with Zicam.
Theory that relates zinc to the common cold afpafitness.com
Bruce Korant, PhD, of Du Pont Chemicals showed in Nature in 1974, that Zn2+ ions were strongly antirhinoviral. Others have shown that Zn2+ ions help T-cell lymphocytes release large amounts of interferon-gamma, a powerful antiviral agent. Other functions of Zn2+ ions helpful in treating or curing common colds include anti-inflammatory activities, destruction of histamine, stabilization of cell plasma membranes (prevents cell leakage, congestion and runny nose), and stimulates T-cell lymphocytes into action.
Theory linking the rhinovirus to the ICAM-1 receptors www-micro.msb.le.ac.uk
More research linking ICAM-1 to the rhinovirus hsc.wvu.edu
Theory relating the rhinovirus to ICAM-1 receptors and the relationship of zinc to ICAM-1 mothernature.com
To cause a cold, the virus needs to latch onto a cell structure called ICAM-I. Zinc ions, however, cut off viral access to ICAM-1, thus inhibiting the cold virus' proliferation.
Prior study on zinc nasal spray coldcure.com
Zinc gluconate nasal spray failed because nasal sprays are quickly removed from locus of infection by mucous secretions as shown by Aoki.(20) Additionally, the out-flow of electrons from the mouth-to-nose BCEC repels Zn2+ ions from the surface of nasal tissues.
Zicam corrects these two issues through a patent pending proprietary gel matrix. The gel adheres to the ICAM receptors and the chemistry of the matrix reportedly affects the charge so that it isn't repelled.
Relationship between zinc and the rhinovirus proven in vitro 164.195.100.11.
It has been established in vitro that zinc ions can inhibit replication of a few of the many antigenically different rhinoviruses.
It has been established that zinc can provide an astringent and decongestant effect in common cold treatment. Zinc inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells and basophils.
But it can now be disclosed that the low dosages of zinc and the method of application only brings temporary relief, perhaps because natural circulation removes zinc ions from the locus of the treatment more rapidly than the low application rate of zinc ions by the dosages replaces them. Because it has been established in vitro that zinc ions can inhibit replication of rhinoviruses, one may theorize that a low dosage of zinc may produce a zinc ion concentration that may or may not reach antiviral concentrations and that a method of application that does not maintain a sufficiently high level of zinc ions in the locus of treatment would not prevent continued viral replications.
Zicam corrects this situation by maintaining a constant level of zinc ions on the ICAM receptor.
Independent study entitled Zinc Gluconate Lozenges for Treating the Common Cold, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that demonstrated that zinc lozenges reduced the duration and severety of the common cold. acponline.org
The independent clinical study for Zicam will be out soon and I'm very confident that it will show good results. Why? Because I have personally used Zicam, my wife has used it, my sister has used it, my in-laws have used it, people that I trust on the Internet have used it, my coworkers have used it, and all report good results. Two of my coworkers bought stock in GUMM after they tried Zicam. Do you think that they would put their money in an investment if Zicam didn't work?
Zicam hasn't worked every time and it hasn't reduced the duration to 1.5 days every single time. However, it has worked in the vast majority of cases and reduced the duration from between 1 to 4 days. Even in the cases where it took 4 days for the cold to go away, people reported far less severe symptoms than they normally get with a cold. You say it doesn't work but your only justification is a general article on homeopathy that has absolutely nothing to do with Zicam. The only reference to the common cold in the article that you posted is:
Oscillococcinum, a 200C product "for the relief of colds and flu-like symptoms," involves "dilutions" that are even more far-fetched. Its "active ingredient" is prepared by incubating small amounts of a freshly killed duck's liver and heart for 40 days. The resultant solution is then filtered, freeze-dried, rehydrated, repeatedly diluted, and impregnated into sugar granules. If a single molecule of the duck's heart or liver were to survive the dilution, its concentration would be 1 in 100200. This huge number, which has 400 zeroes, is vastly greater than the estimated number of molecules in the universe.
Come on, Bill. What in the heck does this have to do with Zicam? Nothing, that's what.
<Furthermore, GUMM's little hype job about publishing their phony claims in a reputable medical journal - and then getting laughed out the door - should raise a lot of red flags.>
Gum Tech didn't get laughed out the door as you have characterized it. Here's the truth of the matter:
According to Elaine Larson, editor of AJIC, the peer review process was in order and the manuscript was reviewed by experts in the field. It followed an accepted blind review process. However, based on the pre-release of data and related issues not in compliance with the established policies and copyright regulations of the Journal, the manuscript has been withdrawn from publication.
Do you honestly read that statement as "laughed out the door"? Do you think that AJIC would have agreed to publish the article if they disagreed with the data or study method? They withdrew it after they accepted it. Doesn't this tell you that they accepted the data?
<They could relabel Zicam as an effective treatment for AIDS or cancer - it doesn't matter - because it simply does not work.>
This is entirely false. The FDA regulates homeopathic remedies and the FTC does not allow companies to make claims unless they are substantiated through clinical studies.
If you want to have an honest discussion, let's have it. You have never made an attempt to have an honest discussion about Zicam or Gum Tech and you state your opinions as if they are unequivocal facts. Regarding your threat to Gum Tech, responsible people don't post lies and then threaten a company to take legal action against them. You are just playing the odds that most companies won't waste their time suing a small timer like you.
Dan
PS to all:
Best wishes to everyone for a merry Christmas with family and friends! |
