Process
The high concentrations of minerals in the Dead Sea has been shown to improve
psoriasis and other skin ailments. Although the scientific basis for the Dead Sea water's therapeutic effects is simply the regulation of epidermal cell equilibrium through osmosis, some studies may more thoroughly explain these therapeutic effects. German studies have indicated that high salt concentrations decrease the mitotic rate of mouse epidermal cells. Since psoriasis and other skin ailments involve abnormally regulated metabolic pathways comprising the arachidonic acid, polyamine, and cyclic nucleotide pathways, certain minerals may play an important role as enzymatic cofactors or regulators of epidermal proliferation. Finally, bathing in the Dead Sea results in complete elimination of all resident body flora including yeast, which plays role in psoriasis and and seborrheic dermatitis.
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Study
It was sponsored by the department of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, at Hadassah University Hospital, and presented by the two famous dermatologists, Professor A. Krakovsky & Professor S. Brenner DSD (
Dead Sea Derivatives) in topical therapy for actinic dry skin and psoriasis.
The results of this experiment were so startling and impressive that we proceeded with stage three: the double-blind study. 31 patients, all women, aged from 34 to 76 years, suffering from mild dry skin symptoms to extremely dry sun-damaged skin were selected. One side of the body was treated for one week with
DSD cream, while the other side was treated with the base. Blue tubes for DSD and pink tubes for the control. Two physicians and the patient herself were asked to qualify the results of each side. The great majority of the patients, 26 out of 31, stated the DSD-treated side had improved. The five remaining patients did not find a difference between the two sides. In the judgment of the physicians, 20 patients (two-thirds) showed significantly greater improvement with DSD. In seven cases no difference could be noted, and in 4 cases the control appeared better. It was the impression of both doctors and patients that the treatment did not produce a shiny or oily skin-surface. It was never disturbing to the patients and aesthetically acceptable. On the DSD side the skin was smoother, less wrinkled, and softer. In a series of only thirty-one patients the results are impressive. It is also noteworthy that this rather subjective assessment is fortified by the fact that months after the conclusion of the investigation, all patients and users of
DSD, practically without exception, were still pleading for more of the preparation, which was not yet commercially available.
As a treatment, DSD proved to be of remarkable value. Effective and safe, DSD embodies the whole range of
Dead Sea minerals. It uses nature's own palliative in the service of health and beauty.
Research with
DSD continued. It soon became apparent that DSD's mission did not stop as a topical treatment for the alleviation of psoriasis, but that its major scope touched upon the most common problem afflicting women (and men) today, namely dry skin as a consequence of chronic solar radiation.
More than twenty years ago, Dr. Ernest Braun, M.D., a scientist from Vienna who dedicated many years of intensive research into the mystery of
psoriasis, while touring the Dead Sea area, became fascinated with the wide variety of properties of the hypothermal Dead Sea springs.
A chemical analysis revealed that the waters gushing from the earth at the natural temperature of 41.5 degrees Celsius were indeed saturated with an unprecedented wealth of a complex of minerals in their natural state. They include chloride, bromine, iodine, carbonic acid, sulphates, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, traces of gold, lithium, strontium, and a host of others.
Now the scientist set for himself a goal which he pursued with tenacity: the incorporation of all these minerals and chemical properties, in their natural state, into a topical preparation, highly aesthetic, and one that would be acceptable to the most fastidious patient. He named the drug DSD, the initials of
Dead Sea Derivatives.
In 1973, after five years of laboratory work, Dr. B. Finkler, an American member of the Board of Dermatology, practicing in Israel, described the successful treatment with DSD in a series of 28 patients. The diagnosis in each case was psoriasis vulgaris. That study was published in September 1974 in the United States.
| MAGNESIUM |
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Important for cell metabolism, activation of enzymes and as an agent in utilization of other minerals and vitamins. Necessary for nerve and muscle function.
Deficiency results: Muscular weakness, heart & circulatory diseases, nervousness and depression, dizziness, diarrhea, convulsions. Alcoholics and diabetics often short of magnesium.
Daily need: 300mg |
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| MANGANESE |
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Activates enzymes and helps maintain reproductive processes.
Deficiency results: Unlikely, but causes poor equilibrium & bad co-ordination, sterility, reduction of sexual drive, abnormal body growth, stillbirths.
Daily need: Trace.
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| SULPHUR |
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Helps in formation of body tissue, necessary for proper function of the vitamins thiamine & biotin, acts as a detoxant.
Deficiency results: Rare, but same effect as lack of protein.
Daily need: No fixed amount, widely available through protein.
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| COPPER |
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Associated with iron in production of red blood cells, stimulating the production of hair pigment, catalyzes enzymes connected with muscle and nerve fibers.
Deficiency results: Rare, but can lead to anemia, graying and loss of hair, heart trouble and nervousness.
Daily need: 2,5mg.
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| POTASSIUM |
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Stimulates and maintains nerve signals and muscle contractions. Helps regulate osmosis and water balance. Essential for cell metabolism.
Deficiency results: Muscular weakness, irritability, and heart problems.
Daily need: 4mg.
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| SODIUM |
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Important in cell-metabolism. Protects body against excess fluid loss. Balances acid and alkali levels. Influences muscle activity.
Deficiency results: Rare, but excessive perspiration may deplete the body's salt content, causing headaches, nausea, diarrhea and cramp.
Daily need: 2-5mg. Maximum 1 gm with high blood pressure.
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| CALCIUM |
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Regulates heart muscles and nerve transmission. Builds and maintains bones and teeth.
Deficiency results: Deterioration of bores and teeth, muscle cramps, numbness and tingling in arms and legs, blood clotting.
Daily need: 600mg.
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| IRON |
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Assists in transportation of oxygen to the cells and in formation of hemoglobin.
Deficiency results: Anemia, loss of energy, brittle nails, premature gray hair, palliations and breathlessness.
Daily need: 15mg
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| COBALT |
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Proper functioning of red blood cells and Vit. B-12.
Deficiency results: Dry, scaly skin; pernicious anemia
Daily need: Trace. |
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| CHROMIUM |
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Improves the body's utilization of glucose and helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Believed to keep cholesterol low.
Deficiency results: Hardening of the arteries. Daily need: Trace |
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| PHOSPHORUS |
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Present in all cells, important for grow maintenance & repair of cells, energy and nerve transmissions, genetic and hereditary patterns.
Deficiency results: Poor teeth and bones, disturbance in cell regulation, stunted growth.
Daily need: 1mg
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| SELENIUM |
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Anti oxidant and prevents certain forms of cancer. May be important in vision.
Deficiency results: Difficulty in absorbing and utilizing Vitamin E.
Daily need: 200mg
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| ZINC |
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Assists in elimination of carbon dioxide, helps formation of enzymes and proteins.
Deficiency results: Delayed sexual maturity & retarded grow.
Daily need: Trace. |
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| CHLORINE |
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Important in cell metabolism, helps regulate the balance of acid and alkali in the blood.
Deficiency results: Arteriosclerosis, poor water retention.
Daily need: 4-10mg. |
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| BROMINE |
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Necessary for cell metabolism and stimulation of the body's natural repair process.
Deficiency results: Nervous tension, drying of skin, possible proliferation of skin cells.
Daily need: Trace |
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| IODINE |
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Vital to cell metabolism & necessary for production of thyroxin which chiefly regulates metabolic energy.
Deficiency results: Thyroid problems leading to weight gain, nervous tension, lethargy, hair loss and drying of skin.
Daily need: Trace |
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| FLUORINE |
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Helps deposit calcium thus strengthens teeth and bones. Hinders tooth decay by fighting acid forming bacteria.
Deficiency results: Poor bones & teeth, tooth decay.
Daily need: 1mg. |
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