The Benefits of Using Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver water is touted as a natural antibiotic that can prevent infections. Sellers have made claims that colloidal silver water can cure or prevent diseases. In 1999 the Food and Drug Administration ruled that silver products such as colloidal silver water can be sold as dietary supplements only if there are no health claims made for them. Opinions on the benefits of colloidal silver water are split. The medical community tends to warn against the use of colloidal silver water, claiming it to be potentially harmful. Meanwhile, long-time users and alternative medicine practitioners say it is harmless and beneficial when used correctly. Here is some information to help you draw your own conclusions.

History

• Silver has been used for healing and treating diseases as far back as 4,000 B.C. Eastern Persian records mention the practice of filling silver vessels with water. Both the Babylonians and the Greeks used silver to disinfect. The Romans used silver compounds for medicinal purposes. Silver continued to be used through the Middle Ages to treat open wounds in battle. Silver was kept in milk to prevent spoilage before refrigerators were invented.

Benefits

• Proponents of colloidal silver water claim that the silver acts as a catalyst that disables an enzyme needed by one-celled viruses, fungi and bacteria to metabolize oxygen. Without this enzyme, these harmful organisms suffocate, leaving human enzymes or healthy parts of the human body free from harm. The Mayo Clinic states that there are no studies reported by reputable medical journals about the benefits of colloidal silver water use. Most claims are anecdotal.

Risks

• According to the Mayo Clinic, taking colloidal silver water can have many harmful side effects. One is the condition of argyria, an irreversible discoloration of the skin--nails and gums turn a blue-gray color from ingesting too much silver. Argyria does not cause any adverse health problems and is rare. Other side effects include seizures or other neurological problems, indigestion, headaches, fatigue and skin irritation. However, a health assessment study on silver by the Environmental Protection Agency states that its use "is likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime." This study also found no evidence that colloidal silver is a carcinogen, and that despite its frequent use over the years, there have been no reports of colloidal silver causing cancer.

Buying Colloidal Silver Water

• Colloidal silver water can be purchased over-the-counter at local drug stores or health food stores. Without regulation by the FDA, over-the-counter colloidal silver water can be contaminated or have varying amounts of silver. The FDA has found the amount of silver listed on pre-made colloidal silver water can vary from 15.2% to 124% of the amount listed on the label.

True Colloidal Silver Water

• Colloid means particles are in suspension, so for colloidal silver it means there are silver nano-particles contained in the water. Many products claiming to be colloidal silver do not contain silver particles, but instead are comprised of silver ions making them silver solutions, not true colloidal silver. Ionic silver does not survive in the human body as silver particles containing true colloidal silver water can. Most silver solutions mislabeled as colloidal silver are clear and colorless like water, stored in a glass bottle, and the glass is amber or cobalt blue because ionic silver is photosensitive.