Anticandida Blog and reviews Colloidal silver

Colloidal silver - a beneficial compound or dangerous misinformation?

12 Март 2024

In pharmacies and health food stores, many products based on colloidal silver are sold, but reliable data about its benefits are hard to find.
On some forums, you will read thousands of personal testimonials about how colloidal silver cures any disease, while on others you will see warnings for consumers about the dangers of this dietary supplement. Usually, these sources cite a statement made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1999, which states that there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of colloidal silver.

Such information can confuse even the most seasoned enthusiast, so we decided to provide some evidentiary information about colloidal silver to help you make an informed decision about its use.

What is Colloidal Silver?

Colloidal silver is a water solution containing suspended silver particles of nanometer size. The total silver content is expressed in milligrams of silver per liter of water, or mg/l, which numerically equals parts per million (ppm).

Silver has been used as a preventative against microbial infections for over 6,000 years. It has proven its effectiveness against many pathogenic microorganisms and has played a significant role in the development of radiology and the improvement of wound healing, according to studies from the University of Cincinnati Medical College.

Before the invention of refrigerators, it was customary to drop a silver coin into a container with milk as a preservative because silver inhibits the growth of bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms.

In ancient times, silver was a popular means of preventing the spread of diseases. It was used as a natural antibiotic up until the advent of modern antibiotics in the 1940s.

According to a report written by Richard Davis and Samuel Etris from the Silver Institute in 1996, there are three main ways in which colloidal silver can help heal the body:

Catalytic Oxidation: Silver naturally holds onto oxygen molecules, which readily react with the sulfhydryl (H) groups surrounding bacteria and viruses. This, in turn, helps block cellular respiration - a set of metabolic reactions and processes that occur in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and then release waste products.

Reaction with bacterial cell membranes: Silver ions can attach directly to bacterial cell membranes and produce the same respiration-blocking effect.

Binding with DNA: It's shown that silver literally penetrates bacterial DNA. According to one source, up to 12% of silver was found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: «Although it remains unclear exactly how silver binds to DNA without disrupting the hydrogen bonds that hold the lattice together, it nevertheless prevents the DNA from unwinding, which is a necessary step for cellular replication».

There are three categories of dietary supplements sold as «colloidal silver»:

1. IONIC SILVER SOLUTION

Most solutions are made using silver ions, which reduces the product's cost. However, such a dietary supplement is not colloidal silver, because its efficiency from use is extremely low.

2. SILVER PROTEINATE

Silver protein is the second most popular type of silver on the market. It is often labeled as colloidal silver, but its effectiveness is lower than genuine colloidal silver.

3. TRUE COLLOIDAL SILVER

True colloidal silver does not contain any additives and is made up of nanometer-sized silver particles. It's the most effective type of colloidal silver.

Is colloidal silver safe?

There is much debate about potential health risks associated with colloidal silver. Is it safe to use this supplement in everyday life?

In the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, it's stated : «Despite widespread use, nano-silver remains relatively understudied both by regulatory bodies and scientists. There is no consensus on important issues such as its behavior in the human body and the environment, as well as the extent to which its use may contribute to the development of bacterial resistance».

The article presents two opposing arguments – the so-called «observational groups» that exploit the confusion surrounding the side effects and safety of colloidal silver, and silver nanotechnology advocacy groups that tout its benefits and safety, noting that in most formulations extremely small amounts of silver are used.

Research indicates that misuse of colloidal silver or the selection of cheap, low-quality products that aren't genuine colloidal silver can lead to adverse side effects.

For example, there are warnings about the side effect of «blue skin» – argyria. This condition occurs with the use of ionic silver and silver proteinates that are advertised as colloidal silver, which became a significant issue in Finland .

Researchers found that rinsing with colloidal silver for treating chronic rhinosinusitis is not only effective but also safe when rinsing sinuses over 10 days.
A laboratory study published in the journal Particle and Fibre Toxicology showed that when silver nanoparticles were applied to human lungs, they did not cause negative consequences. Lung cells were only sensitive to high concentrations of silver ions.
A 2016 study conducted at the University of Michigan showed that when orally administering silver nanoparticles over 28 days, they did not alter the structure and diversity of the gut microbiome in animals. This has the opposite effect compared to the detrimental impact of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Thus, colloidal silver may serve as a potential antimicrobial agent when used correctly.

Application and Benefits of Colloidal Silver

By directly affecting the cellular respiration of microorganisms, colloidal silver benefits the body in numerous ways, including medical applications.

1. ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTION

While working at the Medical School of the University of California in the 1980s, Dr. Larry C. Ford documented over 650 different pathogens that were destroyed within minutes when exposed to a small amount of silver. Unlike modern antibiotics, colloidal silver simply doesn't allow microorganisms to develop immunity.
Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine confirmed that colloidal silver is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, but its activity was not as pronounced against fungi.

2. ACCELERATION OF SKIN HEALING

Dr. Robert O. Becker asserts that colloidal silver stimulates the healing of skin and other soft tissues. In a scientific article published in the journal Pharmacognosy Communications in 2012, it was recommended to use some colloidal silver preparations for topical application in the treatment of burns, candidiasis, periodontitis, and other diseases.
Colloidal silver helps with various skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema. It soothes scrapes and even aids in tissue repair after burns. For instance, a nanogel based on colloidal silver was successfully used as a dressing for superficial gunshot wounds in a study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.
Historically, silver was used to treat burns, but its use ceased with the advent of antibiotics.

3. CONJUNCTIVITIS AND EAR INFECTIONS

While further research is needed to fully understand its potential, the antiviral and antibacterial properties of colloidal silver may allow it to combat some common infections.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye's mucous membrane, primarily caused by bacterial or viral infection. Colloidal silver can be used as a rapid action against the offending virus or bacteria under the supervision of a physician. When applied to an infected eye, tiny colloidal silver particles gather infected cells, attracting them electromagnetically, and then they are dispatched into the bloodstream for destruction.
Modern prescription antibiotics are designed to combat specific classes of bacteria, but ear infections can be caused by multiple classes of bacteria or even fungi. In this case, a prescription antibiotic would be futile if used unjustifiably, whereas colloidal silver is effective regardless of the cause of the infection.
Again, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and safety of colloidal silver for conjunctivitis, ear infections, and other bacterial or viral issues, but we know it's a potent antimicrobial agent that has helped many people heal these ailments.

4. ANTIVIRAL ACTION

The benefits of colloidal silver can be felt as an antiviral agent for conditions such as pneumonia, herpes, shingles, and warts. Colloidal silver suffocates the virus and may even reduce the activity of the HIV virus in AIDS patients.
There are also numerous anecdotal accounts of the effectiveness of colloidal silver against the hepatitis C virus .
According to a study published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine, «silver nanoparticles are capable of reducing viral infectivity, likely by blocking the interaction of the virus inside the cell». This may depend on the size and zeta-potential of the silver nanoparticles, as smaller-sized particles were able to suppress the infectivity of the viruses that were analyzed.

5. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTION

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studied the effects of inflammation post colloidal silver treatment and found that the inflamed skin of pigs treated with silver became almost normal within 72 hours, while in other groups not treated with silver, the inflammation persisted.
Studies are starting to reflect what many people have long known from personal experience: colloidal silver can reduce swelling, speed up healing, and promote cell recovery. To understand the true potential of colloidal silver in combating inflammation, further human studies are needed, but what we've seen so far is promising.

6. SINUSITIS

Widely used to combat sinus infections, colloidal silver may benefit people when used as a nasal spray , according to a study published in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology in 2014.
A 2018 study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology showed that nasal rinses with colloidal silver used twice a day for 10 days are safe and effective for patients with chronic sinusitis. The study involved 22 patients who either received oral antibiotics with saline rinses twice a day or nasal rinses with colloidal silver twice a day. The results indicated that both forms of treatment showed similar improvements in sinusitis symptoms, and using colloidal silver in this manner for ten days was deemed safe.
You can purchase a high-quality nasal spray made of pure colloidal silver or add a few drops of liquid colloidal silver to a special pot for nasal irrigation.
Recent studies also show a link between pathogenic microorganisms and inflammation of the respiratory tract, which are associated with the onset of allergies and asthma. Colloidal silver destroys Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, which can significantly alleviate the condition .

7. COMMON COLD AND FLU

Some claim that colloidal silver helps prevent all types of flu , including swine flu, as well as the common cold.
There have been few studies to clinically verify this, but in 2011 the NIH took 100 children under 12 suffering from the common cold and nasal congestion and divided them into two groups. The first group was treated with a solution of colloidal silver and beta-glucan, and the second with a saline solution. Although both groups benefited from the treatment, 90% of people in the colloidal silver group fully recovered .
A study published in the Journal of Virological Methods showed that silver nanoparticles have anti-H1N1 activity against the influenza A virus , especially in the early stages of virus spread.

8. PNEUMONIA

Modern medications are sometimes limited in addressing the symptoms of bronchitis or pneumonia. Typically, antibiotics are prescribed as the first line of defense, but when pneumonia is viral in nature, antibiotics won't help in the slightest.
The uniqueness of colloidal silver is that it can assist regardless of the cause of the disease, as studies suggest it has both antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Colloidal silver is a remarkable product that aids in the fight against bronchitis and pneumonia when taken internally, as well as through inhalations using a nebulizer. Typically, one teaspoon is used about three times a day for 10-15 minutes.

Recommended Dosage

The most crucial factor to consider when using colloidal silver is to purchase a high-quality, genuine colloidal silver product. If the product is inexpensive and labeled as «ionic silver», it will not have the true therapeutic effect.

Furthermore, colloidal silver should not be taken for more than 14 consecutive days. There isn't enough research to determine if it's 100% safe when taken for more extended periods.
To benefit from colloidal silver, it can be taken as follows (referring to colloidal silver 1200 PPM ):

2-5 drops applied directly to the skin, a skin lesion, or wound can significantly accelerate healing;

2-5 drops x 3 times a day, diluted in a small amount of water for internal consumption, can help support immunity and reduce microbial load;

1-2 drops can help disinfect any wound if applied to a bandage;

If the preparation is done correctly, it can be injected into a muscle, cancerous tumor, or bloodstream, but this should be done exclusively by a knowledgeable doctor or trained specialist;

Under a doctor's supervision, diluted colloidal silver can be dropped into the eyes to treat conjunctivitis and other parasitic eye diseases;

3-5 drops diluted in a small amount of distilled water can be applied vaginally for douching the genital organs;

3-5 drops of silver can be diluted with pure water and placed in a sprayer for misting into the mouth and nose.

It's recommended to use colloidal silver under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Colloidal silver - a beneficial compound or dangerous misinformation?

What is Colloidal Silver?

Is colloidal silver safe?

Application and Benefits of Colloidal Silver

Recommended Dosage

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