Therapeutic Effects
On Other Conditions
Can Germanium "Cure"
Every Illness?
The clinical literature contains case histories
in which organic Germanium has been therapeutically successful in treating
a wide range of illnesses and conditions. This literature spans reports
from the Asai Germanium Clinic in Japan, clinical practitioners throughout
Europe, and scientists and clinicians in the US.
Within the scientific and medical tradition, case
histories are regarded as anecdotal evidence of a substance's efficacy,
due to the lack of a controlled study, and therefore an inability to
rigorously ascertain that the particular substance in question was responsible
for the patient's improvement. Although rigorous, controlled studies
are invaluable and perhaps indispensable in determining the therapeutic
value of a substance, there is little sense in ignoring the information
obtained from case studies, which can often provide the basis for more
detailed research in an area.
Because of the relatively recent discovery of organic
Germanium as a therapeutic agent, and the major research emphasis upon
its cancer-healing attributes, information for many of its other therapeutic
effects is still primarily contained in laboratory research and clinic
case studies, which still constitute preliminary evidence. However,
at this time, controlled clinical trials are ongoing in Japan for many
types of illnesses, which hopefully can more fully document organic
Germanium's effects on other conditions.
In view of organic Germanium's action at a fundamental
body level which acts to restore homeostasis by a variety of health-enhancing
effects - oxygenation, immune modulation, free radical scavenging -
it is not surprising that this trace element can exert such a powerful
effect in so many serious conditions. This chapter highlights Germanium's
efficacy in treating a variety of conditions not already covered in
this book.
Antifungal And Antimicrobial
Activity
Organogermanium compounds, particularly trialkylgermanium
acetates have demonstrated significant antifungal and antimicrobial
activity in research studies (95). Bacteria which were inhibited by
organic Germanium included Streptococcus lactis and Mycobacterium phlei.
At fairly low concentrations (100 ug/ml), organic
Germanium inhibited growth of a variety of fungi, including Candida
albicans, the proliferative yeast organism which can cause thrush. Yeast
infections often follow courses of antibiotic treatment, due to the
disruption of the body's microbial flora balance, and systemic yeast
infections often occur in AIDS patients. The application of non-toxic
organic Germanium as an antifungal agent would present a most promising
therapeutic alternative to drugs such as nystatin, which are not always
effective.
The basis of this antimicrobial and antifungal activity is most likely
organic Germanium's oxygenation properties. Yeast organisms thrive in
low oxygen (anaerobic) environments and are killed by oxygen. Organic
Germanium augments metabolic oxygen levels which discourages the growth
of pathogenic fungal organisms such as Candida.
Malaria
Malaria, a disease caused by various strains of
the protozoan Plasmodium and transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito,
has plagued huge areas of the world, including Africa, South America
and the Asian continent. The symptoms of malaria involve sweats, fever
and delirium, which correlate with the timing of each release of a new
generation of parasites in the victim's bloodstream. The massive spraying
of mosquito breeding grounds during the 1950's with DDT and other insecticides
did temporarily appear to have "eradicated" malaria. However,
the development of resistant strains of the parasite to these various
chemicals has resulted in the re-emergence of malaria throughout the
world. Developing a vaccine has proved to be a tricky problem, due to
the parasite's successful strategy of evading the body's immune system.
The traditional anti-malarial drug is chloroquine; however the parasite
has developed resistance to this chemical.
A paper published in 1983 by Mrema et al in the
International J. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. and Tox (74) documented the
antimalarial activity of Spirogermanium. The abstract from this paper
is herein excerpted:
"Spirogermanium.....has revealed significant
in vitro activity against chloroquine-resistant (FCB,FTA,FVO) and
sensitive (FSL, FUI, FH) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Inhibition
of the growth and maturation of parasites after 36-h exposures to
Spirogermanium started at concentrations ranging from 2.48 to 9.9
nM/ml. These concentrations appear to be within the range of Spirogermanium
plasma levels reported in clinical studies with this drug. Since its
clinical toxicities are unusually low in comparison with other anticancer
drugs, our results on its in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum
indicate Spirogermanium is an antimalarial drug of entirely novel
structure, active in resistant strains."
The rights to Spirogermanium are owned by a New
Jersey based company, Unimed, who are continuing research of Spirogermanium
in several areas, including tropical medicine. There have been no other
reports in the published literature about organic Germanium's therapeutic
effects in malaria since the above-quoted study. In view of the devastating
impact, worldwide, of malaria, developing a non-toxic and effective
anti-malarial drug is an area certainly deserving thorough study and
research.
Senile Osteoporosis
Senile osteoporosis, shrinking of the total bone
mass, ischaracterized by bone fragility and increased incidence of fracture.
Bone is composed essentially of collagen, calcium and phosphate and
is in a dynamic state of constant resorption and formation. Bone mass
is positively correlated with blood levels of the hormones estradiol
testosterone and active cholecalciferol (previously called vitamin D3)and
inversely related to levels of parathyroidhormone (PTH).
A 12 month study of patients with senile osteoporosis
was conducted at Tokyo University, using a bone mineral analyzer to
determine bone mineral content (71). Bone mass decreased in the control
group of patients, while with those individuals given 1500 mg Ge-132
daily, bone mass increased with significant differences seen in 1 to
3 months from the start of taking Ge-132. The researchers considered
that Ge-132 prevents bone mass decrease with aging. Usually, serum levels
of PTH are high in senile osteoporosis patients; however, Ge-132 significantly
reduced serum PTH levels. Therefore, the researchers postulate that
organic Germanium's therapeutic effect in preventing bone mass decrease
is exerted by decreasing serum levels of PTH.
This study demonstrates that organic Germanium exerts
both a therapeutic and preventive effect upon senile osteoporosis, which
can be of significant positive value for all aging people prone to this
condition.
Heart Disease and Angina Pectoris
The following are summaries of case studies from
Dr Asai's book:
- A 66 year old man suffered from sclerotic heart
disease, with chest pains, bradycardia and slow pulse. Upon administration
of Ge-132, the patient felt relief from the chest pains, and although
still had difficulty walking, was able to climb a slope without frequent
rests.
- In one case of angina pectoris, where coronary
dilators were not effective, organic Germanium relieved the pain within
a couple of days, and reduced the frequency of attacks from two or three
times per day to almost nil. Attacks resumed upon stopping the administration
of organic Germanium.
- One case of cardiac infarction involved a 45 year-old
male, suffering an attack of sharp chest pain. A large dose of organic
Germanium was administered; the pain subsided within a few minutes,
and he fell asleep. ECG's taken over a period of three days showed "astonishing"
improvement by the third day. The man recovered and was able to work
normally.
Circulatory Problems - Raynaud's
Disease
Raynaud's disease is a disease of the circulation,
in which gangrene develops in the limbs, sometimes requiring amputation.
Several successful cases treated with Ge-132 are reported from Dr. Asai's
clinic, describing how following the administration of organic Germanium,
gangrene was markedly reduced, and rosy colour restored, denoting good
blood circulation (2).
Eye Diseases
Organic Germanium has been successfully used to
treat eye diseases including glaucoma, black cataracts, detached retinas,
inflammation of the retina and optic nerves. It is stated in Dr. Asai's
book that "germanium rejuvenates retinal vessels, and is therefore
effective in treating glaucoma and amaurosis". This area certainly
is a fertile one for rigorous study.
Epilepsy
There are reports both of Ge-132 and Sanumgerman
having success with epilepsy in children. In a report with a 16-year
old boy taking Sanumgerman, there was an initial dramatic improvement
in which for ten days there were no fits. Then after a fortnight a fit
occurred, and gradually became as frequent as before the treatment.
Increase in the dosage resulted in some improvement, but the initial
success was never achieved (43).
Due to the difficulties involved with epilepsy,
and the severely toxic effects of most of the available medication,
this certainly points to yet another area to investigate more closely.
The Common Cold?
Organic germanium's anti-viral and immuno-enhancing
properties enable speculation as to its possible preventative and therapeutic
effects upon the common cold. This is certainly an area open to clinical
research.
Other Diseases
Conditions which have responded to treatment with
organic Germanium include chronic gastritis, influenza, Parkinson's
disease, cerebral sclerosis, burns and multiple sclerosis.
