Fulvic Acid Side Effects

Fulvic acid is a derivative of humeric substances that are a part of decaying plant and animal matter. It is commonly sold over the counter as a so-called miracle cure for various ailments. Extracted from the humeric substances through the use of sodium hydroxide, fulvic acid is the brown constituent of soil and is rich in nutrients and minerals.

History

• Fulvic acid has been used for centuries by the peoples of China, Mexico, India and South America. It's used to treat various medical conditions such as mastitis, to help with conception and as a replacement for antibiotic therapy in animals. Use for these things is still common today and, with the surge of interest in holistic medicine, continues to gain popularity both to treat animals and humans for a wide variety of illnesses and complaints.

Safety

• There are few known side effects associated with the use of fulvic acid. Starting therapy with a high dose may lead to some complaints of diarrhea for the first couple of days, but this usually subsides without any further problems. There have been no reports of dangerous side effects with the use of fulvic acid, in either animals or humans. Some reports of a change in the smell of the feces have been reported, but this is attributed to fulvic acid’s cleansing properties.

Uses

• Uses of fulvic acid include its antioxidant properties to remove free radicals from the body, as a buffer to help create an electrolyte balance within the body and to remove toxins from the body through its cleansing abilities. Other uses include use as a topical dressing for wounds, as an antiviral treatment for shingles, athlete's foot and ringworm, and to neutralize the poisons in poison ivy and poison oak.

Importance

• Several years ago, farming practices relied upon the use of natural, decaying matter to add nutrients and fertilize to the soil. Today’s farming practices with the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers have rendered the soil poor and low in nutrients. This low level of nutrients in the soil leads to lower levels of nutrients in the foods we consume. Because fulvic acid is derived from this decaying humeric matter that is absent in our foods, it is advertised to supply essential nutrients, which our bodies are lacking.

Considerations

• Most of the nutrients present in fulvic acid are also available in various other over-the-counter supplements. There are no independent studies available to determine if fulvic acid itself is any better than any of its other competitors. Because of its lack of known side effects, fulvic acid is safe for use in most individuals, although its use should be discussed with your physician before starting it or any other type of supplement.