Hi Matthew: That is really interesting, concerning cobalt.
Cobalt toxicity is not a concern primarily because its prevalent form for biological consumption are cobalt compounds, ie. cobalamine, which is NOT readily adsorbed by the small intestine. However, in other forms, such as cobalt chloride, the toxicity issue becomes more interesting: http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/chemical/cobaltcl/ukpid50.htm In particular: Cytotoxic hydroxy radicals may form when cobalt ions interact with reactive oxygen species. Hydroxy radicals may then cause the production of further free radicals which reduce cellular glutathione concentrations and NADPH activity. The resulting oxidative stress leads to DNA and cellular protein damage (Timbrell, 1994). Cobalt is immunogenic and acts as a hapten in the induction of bronchial and dermal hypersensitivity (Sjögren et al, 1980). Ionized cobalt, though not specifically cobalt chloride, is an important contributing factor in the aetiology of hard metal lung disease. Evidence for an autoimmune mechanism in this disorder is suggested by the recurrence of disease in a single transplanted lung despite no evidence of cobalt in the donated organ (Frost et al, 1993). In cobalt pneumoconiosis non-respiratory symptoms may be due to cobalt-induced release of a tumour necrosis factor from sensitized pulmonary lymphocytes (Rolfe et al, 1992). However, cobalt supplements are not THAT rare: http://www.naturesalternatives.com/research/cobalt/ Garnet McKeen Laboratories states this opinion: Organometallics contain the metal within an organic portion. The metal is sequestered and has new properties. A good example is vitamin B12 which contains cobalt. Raw ionic cobalt would be toxic because it would hydrolyze DNA. http://www.electrogenetics.net/dearjohn.html So I agree that cobalt used in small quantities, or combined with other metals ( as in ayurvedic medicine ) may definately have therapuetic uses. However, I cringe at the thought of people ingesting large quantities of cobalt chloride! Best Regards, Jason ----- Original Message ----- From: Matthew McCann To: silver-list@eskimo.com Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 4:09 AM Subject: CS>cobalt & ozonated water Subject: Re: CS>Sinus was and nose drops for cold Hello, Searle mentioned cobalt in colloidal form as a potent internal disinfectant. Cobalt also has very low toxicity for humans if I am not mistaken. Noble metals like gold, palladium and platinum have been discussed frequently on this list. But little mention has been made of cobalt. Can anybody say why? Thanks in advance for your input. Best regards, Matthew
