(The Epoch Times)—Ivermectin was found to be highly toxic against certain mosquito types and can be used as an effective tool in malaria management, according to a peer-reviewed study published in Nature on Oct. 31.
Ivermectin became controversial during the COVID-19 pandemic when many health officials denounced its usage, while others praised the drug for its efficacy. Since its discovery in the late 1970s, it has been used worldwide for treating infections caused by gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, and other parasites.
Many regions in Africa have been using ivermectin for malaria management, and in places where there was mass drug administration, it has been observed to “significantly reduce” the mosquito population, the study said.
Researchers based in India looked at the potential of ivermectin as a “contact-toxin” for malaria transmitters and parasites. Contact toxins are toxins that are absorbed through direct skin contact.
The study exposed lab-reared female An. culicifacies and An. stephensi mosquitoes to varying concentrations of ivermectin. Both mosquito types are the major malaria vectors in India.
When ivermectin was administered to the mosquitoes, researchers found that there was “significantly high mortality” depending on the drug concentration and the method of administration.
Mortality rate climbed as dosage was raised, with the highest ivermectin concentration resulting in a 100 percent mortality rate.
“This study also pin-pointed the fact that ivermectin when applied to treated surfaces exhibited faster killing effect among mosquitoes in contrast to when ingested through blood meal from treated individuals,” it said.
“When feeding on ivermectin-treated blood, mosquitoes survived an average of 7 days. Ivermectin exhibited a significantly stronger and faster mosquito-killing effect when applied to treated surfaces, eliminating mosquitoes within 24–48 h.”
Researchers also found that contact-exposure to ivermectin has the potential to block the development of Plasmodium parasites, which are responsible for malaria, in infected mosquitoes. They suggested that ivermectin impairs the sexual development of the parasite inside the mosquitoes’ midgut.
“The results of this study highlight the potential of ivermectin as a promising synergist to traditional insecticide-based vector control strategies. This transmission-blocking activity adds an important dimension to ivermectin’s potential as a malaria control tool,” the study said.
The study was funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research—National Institute of Malaria Research, the University Grants Commission, and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. The authors declared no competing interests in the study.
Among previous studies, some have questioned the efficacy of ivermectin to treat malaria in humans, while others have confirmed its positive impact,
In a June 2021 study published in the Cochrane Library, researchers detailed the results of a test conducted in eight villages in the West African nation of Burkina Faso, where people received doses of ivermectin.
Researchers concluded that the study did not demonstrate ivermectin’s effect on the cumulative incidence of malaria among children during the 18-week study period.
“We are uncertain whether community administration of ivermectin has an effect on malaria transmission,” they wrote.
Another study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine on July 23, found ivermectin to be beneficial for malaria treatment. It analyzed children, aged 5 to 15, living in a Kenyan county where malaria was endemic and the use of insecticide-treated bed nets was high.
Administering a dose of ivermectin once a month for three straight months was found to have led to a 26 percent lower incidence of malaria infection compared to a control drug.
Malaria Worldwide
According to a December 2024 post by the World Health Organization (WHO), globally in 2023, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 malaria deaths in 83 countries.
“The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2023, the WHO African Region was home to 94 percent of malaria cases (246 million) and 95 percent (569 000) of malaria deaths,” it said.
In the United States, malaria is not endemic, meaning it does not regularly occur or spread in the country. Approximately 2,000 malaria cases are reported annually in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ivermectin During Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some researchers promoted ivermectin as a potential treatment for the illness, despite federal officials not approving it.
In an August 2021 X post, the Food and Drug Administration asked people to stop using ivermectin. “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it,” it said, referring to the fact that ivermectin is commonly used as a veterinary medicine.
A June 2021 study found ivermectin to be associated with “large reductions” in COVID-19 deaths.
According to researchers, the risk of death among people hospitalized with COVID-19 who were treated with ivermectin was 2.3 percent compared to 7.8 percent among those who did not receive the drug.
Another 2022 study examining ivermectin use in COVID-19 patients found that it resulted in decreased mortality compared to remdesivir, the medication federally authorized by the FDA for emergency use to treat COVID-19.
In recent years, some states in the United States have moved to allow ivermectin to be sold as an over-the-counter medication. In 2022, Tennessee permitted the sale of ivermectin without a prescription requirement. Arkansas and Idaho followed suit this year.
Potential side effects of ivermectin include vomiting, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, chest discomfort, and weakness. Some of the serious consequences include coma, hives, peeling skin, and confusion.
As of now, the FDA hasn’t approved ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19.
“The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 in people or animals. The FDA has not determined that ivermectin is safe or effective for these indications (uses),” the agency stated on its website.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.