Poly-MVA
Poly-MVA (or Lipoic Acid Mineral Complex) is a dietary supplement created by Merrill Garnett (1931–), a former dentist turned biochemist. Poly-MVA is an ineffective alternative cancer treatment.[1]
Description
The "MVA" in "Poly-MVA" means "minerals vitamins and amino acids".[1] Poly-MVA contains lipoic acid, acetylcysteine, palladium, B vitamins, and other ingredients.[2] The substance is red-brown liquid that is taken by mouth.[1]
In 2004, a year's supply of Poly-MVA was reported as costing US$19,800.[3] As of 2019, the cost appears to fluctuate according to an individual's situation and dosage.[4]
Alternative medicine
Poly-MVA is promoted with claims that it can treat a variety of human diseases including cancer and HIV/AIDS.[1] The promotional effort is supported by customer testimonials, but there is no medical evidence that Poly-MVA confers any health benefit and some concern it may inhibit the effectiveness of mainstream cancer treatments if used at the same time.[1][2]
In 2005, Poly-MVA was listed as one of the ineffective alternative cancer treatments being sold by the clinics clustered in and around Tijuana, Mexico.[5] None of the information referenced in this review is specific to Poly-MVA.
References
- Russell J, Rovere A, eds. (2009). "Poly-MVA". American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies (2nd ed.). American Cancer Society. pp. 804–807. ISBN 9780944235713.
- Cassileth BR, Yeung KS, Gubili J (2010). "Polydox". Herb-drug Interactions in Oncology. PMPH-USA. p. 536. ISBN 978-1-60795-041-7.
- "Is this cancer-fighting supplement too good to be true?". Women's Health Letter (May): 4. 2004.
- Milne, MD, Robert D. (2004). Poly-MVA: A New Supplement in the Fight Against Cancer. Basic Health Publications. Inc. ISBN 1591200490.
- Moss, R. W. (2005). "Patient Perspectives: Tijuana Cancer Clinics in the Post-NAFTA Era". Integrative Cancer Therapies. 4 (1): 65–86. doi:10.1177/1534735404273918. PMID 15695477.