Health Care Professional Information
Common Name
O2 MYGA III, Sundance Nachez mineral water, SNMW
Brand Name
MICOM
Clinical Summary
Bogus mineral solution advertised to prevent and treat cancer and other degenerative diseases by “raising cellular oxygen levels.” Also called O2 MYGA III and Sundance Nachez mineral water, the product is said to “simulate natural spring mineral water” and is prepared with igneous rock, iron pyrite, weak acids and bases. Its supposed efficacy is based on the false theory that a high-oxygen environment is lethal to cancer cells and that its minerals “tag” cancer cells for recognition and elimination by the immune system. Despite the claims by the manufacturer, no clinical evidence supports the use of this product.
In February 2002, a Washington nurse was indicted after administering intravenous MICOM to a cancer patient who subsequently died from kidney and heart failure. A physician testified that high levels of potassium in MICOM caused the death. This product has also been found to be contaminated with bacteria (1).
Purported Uses
- Alcoholism
- Antidote
- Asthma
- Cancer prevention
- Cancer treatment
- Circulatory disorders
- Cognitive improvement
- Detoxification
- Drug withdrawal symptoms
- Hepatitis
- HIV and AIDS
- Leukemia
- Strength and stamina
Constituents
- Said to be prepared with igneous rock, iron pyrite, weak acids and bases.
- Water
(1)
Mechanism of Action
The product web site claims that conditions of low cellular oxygen cause and are indicative of cancer and that MICOM raises cellular oxygen levels to 10-13 ppm, allowing detoxification and reduced organ burden. No evidence shows that MICOM raises cellular oxygen levels. Additionally, research shows that oxygen neither prevents nor inhibits cancer growth, tumors grow rapidly in tissues that are well supplied with oxygenated blood, and absence of oxygen does not stimulate tumor growth in vitro or in vivo. The web site also claims the theory that the mineral water will “tag” cancer cells so they might be recognized and eliminated by the immune system, which is against current scientific understanding.
Pharmacokinetics
No formal pharmacokinetic studies have been performed with MICOM.
Warnings
Intravenous preparations of MICOM have been found contaminated with bacteria, possibly leading to the death of at least one patient.
Adverse Reactions
Case Reports: A 52-year old man with colon and liver cancer experienced kidney and heart failure leading to death after intravenous infusion of MICOM found to be contaminated with bacteria. A physician testified that high levels of potassium in MICOM caused the man's death. A second patient with brain cancer experienced infection, pneumonia, and kidney failure after infusion with the same contaminated product.(1)
Herb-Drug Interactions
None known
Dosage (Inside MSKCC Only)
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References
- Sunde S. Cancer 'cure' ended in death. Seattle Post-Intelligencer May 14, 2001. Accessed May 10, 2011.
Consumer Information
How It Works
Bottom Line: The purported benefits of MICOM are not supported by current medical and scientific knowledge.
The manufacturers of this liquid claim that it is designed to mimic natural spring mineral water. The website that advertises this supplement claims that it “raises cellular oxygen levels,” allows detoxification, and “tags” cancer cells for recognition and elimination by the immune system.The use of an “oxygenation therapy” like this is based on the idea that cancer cells grow because of a lack of oxygen, and that raising the oxygen concentration in the body will kill cancer cells. Studies have shown that this is not true: cancer cells grow rapidly when supplied with high levels of oxygen and low levels of oxygen do not cause the formation of new cancer cells.
Purported Uses
There is no scientific evidence to support any of the following purported uses.
- To relieve withdrawal symptoms from alcoholism and drug addiction
- To treat asthma
- To prevent and treat cancer
- To treat circulatory disorders
- For improved cognitive performance
- To detoxify the body
- To treat hepatitis
- To treat HIV and AIDS
- To treat leukemia
- To improve strength and stamina
Patient Warnings
- Some intravenous preparations of MICOM have been contaminated with bacteria, possibly leading to the death of at least one patient.
Side Effects
- Case Reports: (1) A 52-year old man with colon and liver cancer experienced kidney and heart failure leading to death after being given intravenous MICOM that was contaminated with bacteria. It was found that the high levels of potassium in MICOM caused the man's death. (2) A second patient with brain cancer developed an infection, pneumonia, and kidney failure after being given the same contaminated product.
Last updated: January 21, 2013
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