Colloidal Silver: Friend or Foe?

Did you know that for over one hundred years silver has been used to kill germs, purify water, and preserve beverages? Even though it is a heavy metal, it won’t hurt animals, including humans, when ingested. In fact, many people claim they have improved their health and well-being by incorporating the precious metal into their regimes.

We’re not talking about eating silver bars instead of candy bars. No, when people take silver, it is in a colloidal form – tiny particles suspended in a water-based solution. Concentrations can range from 3 ppm (parts per million) to 500 ppm.

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On the one hand, venerable medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic say colloidal silver is not an essential mineral and “has no known purpose in the body.” On the other hand, natural medicine practitioners like Dr. Axe claim it is ultra-beneficial.

Opponents of colloidal silver cite a 1999 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determination that a solution of suspended silver bits, taken internally or applied topically, was neither safe nor effective. Strong words indeed – but how many times has the FDA been wrong – or guilty of suppressing an effective treatment or cure?
In the case of colloidal silver, who’s right and who’s wrong?

Nay-sayers caution that ingesting silver over long periods of time (months or years) can lead to a permanent blue-gray discoloration that affects the eyes, skin, nails, gums, and internal organs, called argyria (ar-JEER-ee-uh). This cosmetic condition might be desirable at a science fiction convention, but elsewhere, not so much.
Other complications that can arise from using colloidal silver include irreversible damage to the kidneys, seizures and other neurological (nerve) problems, and counterindications with other prescription medications, “including penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen), quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline and thyroxine (Unithroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid).”

Since there are no FDA-approved drugs, either prescription or OTC (over the counter), that contain colloidal silver, any homeopathic remedy or dietary supplement that has it as an ingredient is termed “misbranded.” However, that doesn’t mean the same thing as “ineffectual.”

But so many people insist that the addition of colloidal silver has improved their health that the substance warrants a second look. Improvement has been reported for a wide variety of health conditions: arthritis, infections, diabetes, and even cancer, to name a few.

Both sides of the argument agree that colloidal silver can kill germs when it binds to proteins. It is even effective against antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

There are convincing claims that colloidal silver can improve skin health and heal wounds; clear up ear infections and pink eye; reduce inflammation; unblock the sinuses; fight colds, flu, and other viruses; and kill lung germs that cause bronchitis and pneumonia.

In 2012, Larry C. Ford, M.D. at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, made some astounding discoveries about colloidal silver. He wanted to see if it could kill viruses, fungi, and bacteria. The bottom line is:

The results showed colloidal silver to have anti-bacterial properties for 105 organisms.

Colloidal silver can kill over 650 disease-promoting bacteria, fungi, parasites, and molds.

Dr. Ford maintains that the body does need some silver to regenerate tissues and replace certain special cells. Here’s how it works:

“When colloidal silver comes into close proximity with a single cell pathogen or a bacterium it has a disabling effect on its oxygen metabolism enzyme. Within six minutes of contact colloidal silver will actually suffocate the pathogen.”

At this point, the FDA ruling that there’s nothing to this colloidal silver stuff seems a bit weak, doesn’t it?

As with all medical products and practices, consult with your healthcare provider before embracing any new mineral supplements.

Not only humans can benefit from the judicious application of colloidal silver. Some cat owners use a diluted silver solution to treat their pets for gingivitis, urinary disorders, and skin irritations.

Every cloud has a silver lining and the rest of us can, too.