Health & Wellness: Colloidal Silver

Colloidal Silver is silver suspended in droplet form, in distilled water. It is called a suspension of silver particles, in a liquid medium. It is used as a herbicide, which effectively eliminates bacteria as well as viruses. This article is about its side effects in humans. It is extensively used in alternative medicine therapies. The element silver does not have a large metabolic role in the human body. Therefore, excess consumption causes many side effects.

There is very less documented and proven evidence of the benefits and side effects of colloidal silver, used in alternative medicine. There has been no comprehensive testing of the side effects. The results of some tests are mixed. That is, the effectiveness of the colloidal silver based alternative medicines has been inconclusive.

The Food and Drug Administration has banned companies from advertising colloidal silver based medicines for the treatment of any illnesses. It is currently marketed as a dietary supplement, based on dubious claims of structure enhancement.

Colloidal Silver Benefits          

Colloidal Silver has many natural healing benefits.

• heals stomach ailments
• is known to kill batcteria
• heals rash, Psoriasis & Shingles
• use as an underarm spray instead of commercial roll on (my favourite)
• known as the earth’s most powerful anti-biotic
• heals eye infections
• heals burns
• supposedly kills Cancer cells
• great alternative therapy for relieving common colds and sinus
• anti-bacterial properties
• used for healing woulds
• anti-inflamatory
• helps fight Bronchitis and PneumoniaSide Effects

  Colloidal silver intake in excess amounts, leads to a disease called Argyria. Silver has minimal metabolic function and is normally excreted out of the body, if consumed in excess. However, sometimes, excess silver starts getting deposited in the tissues of inner organs of the body, causing Argyria. This happens because the excess is beyond the capacity of the body to excrete. Argyria causes a permanent skin color change to blue or bluish gray. There are two classified types of Argyria. One is generalized and other is localized Argyria.

  Cosmetic laser therapy has been effective in removing the gray skin coloration. Otherwise, it was a permanent and irreversible condition. Argyria has been mainly reported to be caused by colloidal silver, combined with proteins. There is no evidence of Argyria being caused by protein-free colloidal silver intake.

  Excess intake of this supplement can also cause arteriosclerosis, that is the hardening of arteries, that may eventually lead to a heart attack. Silver deposition on inner organs causes permanent damage and also compromises the immune system. Some neurological problems like seizures, as well as gastric problems have also been reported.

  Colloidal silver, in reaction with drugs like quinolones, thyroxine, penacillamine, and tetracyclines can cause harmful side effects. So, pregnant women and people in general should avoid taking it, as the chances of silver toxicity are high.

  Disclaimer: This article is for reference purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice of a certified medical practitioner.