Silver May Turn Children GrayPosting Date: 10/04/2004 Q. My daughter and her husband make their own formulation of colloidal silver. They think this mixture protects them against the flu and other infections because it provides a natural boost to the immune system. My main concern is that they give it to their children, a little boy aged two and a girl aged seven. Any advice you can offer would be appreciated. Sign me a concerned grandmother! A. Colloidal silver is frequently promoted as a natural infection fighter, capable of killing hundreds of bacteria and viruses. Websites advertise it to treat AIDS, cancer, herpes, shingles, flu, pneumonia and dozens of other conditions. The FDA has not approved colloidal silver and does not recognize such products as safe or effective. Long-term use, especially by children, could lead to argyria. This turns people?s skin bluish-gray. This permanent discoloration can be disfiguring. We urge your daughter to reconsider this approach. Q. I was interested to hear that chocolate is good for blood vessel flexibility. I thought you might be interested in a study at the University of Helsinki about chocolate and expecting moms. They monitored 300 women and found that babies born to women who indulged in chocolate on a daily basis laughed and smiled more than those of the moms who abstained. They also said that the babies of stressed women who ate chocolate showed less fear than those of stressed women who didn?t have any chocolate. I was as excited about this news as I was when I found out about the antioxidant properties of dark chocolate! A. This study was published in Early Human Development (Feb, 2004). You?re right that chocolate-loving mothers had babies that seemed happier and more relaxed. Licorice did not produce similar benefits. Studies show that chocolate has many health benefits. It can lower blood pressure, make blood vessels more flexible and help prevent blood clots. Related Stories |
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