Is Colloidal Silver Safe and Effective?

The use of colloidal silver as a remedy for health is a story that has been around for as long as. Yet, scientists of the present doubt the validity of its silver bullet. This is why the specialist in internal medicine Melissa Young, MD, suggests that people be wary when deciding to utilize it.

“You shouldn’t take it internally, ingested as an over-the counter supplementin any way,” says Dr. Young.

So do you think that colloidal silver is safe regardless of form? Doctor. Young talks about colloidal silver’s benefits, uses and potential negative side effectswhich range from making your skin blue, to damaging organs inside your body.

Colloidal silver is composed consisting of small silver crystals suspended within liquid bases. It’s also the same type of silver as the metalthat you see within the periodic table or inside your jewelry box. However, instead of creating jewelry and rings, a lot of businesses sell colloidal silver as a crucial nutritional supplement or alternative cure.

Labels on products promise the elimination of poisons, toxins and the fungi. In addition to eliminating toxins manufacturers assure that colloidal silver can give you an increase in your immune system. Many claim it’s a successful treatment for diabetes, cancer, HIV and Lyme disease.

The use of colloidal silver spray as a treatment for health goes all the way to the 1500 B.C. China. The ancient civilizations used silver to treat a wide range of illnesses due to it’s antimicrobial capabilities. However, once antibiotics that worked into the picture the colloidal silver ceased to be of fashion until just recently.

Nowadays, people primarily make use of it as a natural treatment for respiratory and cold-related illnesses According to Doctor. Young. It is possible to ingest or gargle with the liquid, or breathe it in using the nasalizer (a Medical device which converts liquid into a breath-taking mist).

Is colloidal silver FDA-approved?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that colloidal silver is snake oil than a magic bullet. The FDA has taken even actions against businesses that sell colloidal silver as a panacea.

They made a splash in 1999, with the following statement: “Over-the-counter drug products containing colloidal silver components or silver salts for use in internal or external use aren’t generally regarded as safe and efficient and are often misleadingly labeled … items that contain colloidal silver components or salts are being promoted for many serious illnesses and FDA does not have any scientifically-substantial evidence which supports the use of non-prescription colloidal silver, ingredients or silver salts to treat these diseases.”

How does colloidal silver function inside your body?

Scientists aren’t entirely sure of the way that colloidal silver functions within the body. However, the secret to its fame as a killer of microbes begins with the substance itself. When it comes into contact with humidity, that moisture initiates the chain reaction, which culminates in the silver particles dispersing silver ions. Scientists believe that the silver ions destroy bacteria by destroying proteins on the cell membranes, or the outer wall.

Cell membranes are a barrier that safeguard the insides of cells. When they’re healthy there’s nothing that enters the cell that it isn’t meant to. Damaged proteins make it more easy for silver ions to move across the membrane of cells to the inside of the bacteria. After entering the cell, the silver causes enough damage to cause bacteria to cease to exist. The shape, size and the amount of silver particles within the solution determines the effectiveness of this process. Some studies have shown that bacteria may create resist to silver.

One issue with using silver’s effectiveness as a bactericide is that silver ions do not distinguish between bacteria. Cells are is a cell. Therefore, the cells of your human body that are healthy could be at risk of being damaged too.

“There’s dangers associated with the application of colloidal silver” Dr. Young. “The silver can enter the cells of your healthy cells which could cause death, exactly the way bacteria cause them to die. However, some studies say colloidal silver may benefit minor skin wounds or burns.”

What do you need to be aware of regarding colloidal silver products

Manufacturers offer colloidal silver in the form of in liquid or spray. Names of the product differ, but you’ll often find these names at the grocery store:

Nebulizer made of colloidal silver.
Silver spray with colloidal particles.
Silver hydrosol.
Silver sol.
Silver water.

The amount of colloidal silver in is in each product will depend on the brand. Most are between 10 and 30 parts of million (ppm) of silver. However, even this level of silver could be excessive. This is because it’s simple to go over the unsafe dose limits established by World Health Organization (WHO) as well as The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

There are limits to the amount of silver in your body. WHO and EPA set these limits based on the development of severe adverse effects from colloidal silver such as skin discoloration. They do not consider the dose at which it is most likely to cause injury. Even when you are within the “unsafe dosage limits” it is still possible to be a risk to yourself although you’ll stay clear of the most severe side negative effects.

Is colloidal silver effective?

The bottom line: Do not use colloidal silver internally because it’s not proved to be safe or effective. However, if you do want to apply it to your skin, make sure you seek the advice of your doctor. Certain doctors make use of silver-containing medications to treat conjunctivitis and other infections. Manufacturers also include silver in certain dressings and bandages to aid in healing faster.

“Colloidal silver’s benefits can be extended to minor irritations, infections and burns when applied to your skin” says Dr. Young. “Silver’s antimicrobial properties can aid in treating or preventing an disease. However, if you notice the affected area turning red or inflamed following the use of colloidal silver, you should stop using it and seek medical assistance.”