Colloidal Silver Supplements - An Insight

Introduction

In the olden days, colloidal silver supplements were used as a health remedy. But nowadays, scientists make the status of these silver supplements into a questionnaire. People need to be careful while using these supplements, and one should not take these supplements internally - swallowed as an over-the-counter supplement under any circumstances. Read below to know more about the usage of these silver supplements, safety of individual and their potential side effects.

What to Know About Colloidal Silver?

• A liquid base solution in which the tiny silver particles are suspended is called colloidal silver, similar to metallic silver.

• It is the same as the metal used for jewelry, and also this kind of silver is generally found on the periodic table of elements.

• Many companies use these colloidal silver as an essential dietary supplement or alternative medicine therapy.

• The company manufacturer promises that the product labels are completely free from poison, toxins, and fungi.

• And also, they guarantee these colloidal silver will boost the immune system by getting rid of harmful stuff in it.

• Furthermore, few people claim that it is used effectively to treat cancer, Lyme disease, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and diabetes.

• Usually, silver has antimicrobial properties, so, during ancient civilizations, silver was commonly used to treat certain diseases.

• Only during 1500 BC, colloidal silver was used as a healthy remedy.

• Nowadays, due to the recent advances in effective antibiotics, the use of colloidal silver has fallen off.

• This colloidal silver has recently been used as a home remedy to treat colds and respiratory infections.

• They use it to ingest it to gargle the liquid or inhale it as a nebulizer (device used in medicine that turns liquid form into breathable mist).

What Work Does Colloidal Silver Do in an Individual Body?

The work of colloidal silver on an individual body is also not completely understood by scientists. But the mixture itself is the main key to start because it is known that silver is an antimicrobial that helps kill microbes in the body. The action of silver started when this was exposed to moisture. Then the moisture helps to start a chain reaction, which ends in releasing silver ions from the silver particles. The proteins present on the cell membrane or the outer wall of the bacteria are damaged by the silver ions from the silver is mostly believed by scientists. Generally, the inside part of the cell is protected by a barrier called the cell membrane. When the membrane was intact, no foreign material could pass through it. But when protein is damaged, it helps easily for the silver ions to pass through them into the interior part of the bacteria. Once the silver ions enter the interior part, it weakens the bacteria and makes them die eventually. This process and the effectiveness of damaging bacteria depend upon the size, shape, and concentration of the silver particles in the liquid solution. But the bacteria can also develop resistance to the silver ions, as shown in some studies.

The main drawback or side effect seen in the silver ion was it would not discriminate after their action. So there is a risk of entering these silver ions into the human body's cells and damaging them. It means there is also a risk to healthy human cells after ingesting colloidal silver. There is potential harm in using colloidal silver on the human body because there is a chance of entry of colloidal silver into the healthy human cells and causing them to die, as they did the same to kill the bacteria. But in some studies, individuals can benefit from minor skin wounds or burns by using this colloidal silver.

What to Know About Colloidal Silver Products?

Colloidal silver is manufactured in a spray or liquid form. But the name of the product is different, and in-store shelf individuals can often see these given below names like

1. Silver hydrosol.

2. Silver sol.

3. Colloidal silver nebulizer.

4. Silver water.

5. Colloidal silver spray.

The manufacturer determines how much colloidal silver should be present in each product. Its range is mostly 10 to 30 parts per million (ppm) of silver. But this range is also too much for this concentration. Because of this, it is easy to exceed the unsafe dose limits set by the Environment protection agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization. The development of serious colloidal silver side effects like skin discoloration is seen when the manufacturer crosses the limits designed by the EPA and the WHO. Sometimes, the lowest dose can also cause harm. So people who stay below the “unsafe dose limits” can still cause injury to them. But they can avoid serious side effects.

How Can an Individuals Determine the Safety of Colloidal Silver?

• Colloidal silver is unsafe.

• This colloidal silver is not meant as safe because it is an over-the-counter herb or supplement.

• The internal use of colloidal silver is warned against not only by the FDA but also by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health shows some serious side effects.

• No strong scientific evidence proves it is effective, so one should avoid it because it can cause harm.

• Intake of colloidal silver internally includes certain potential side effects like:

1. Medication Is Poorly Absorbed:

• The intake of these colloidal silver products reduces the effectiveness of certain medications.

• Antibiotics and thyroid medicine are examples of this medicine.

2. Blue Skin:

• A condition called Argyria is seen in the individual body when the colloidal silver builds up on the body over time.

• When people have Argyria, it shows bluish discoloration on the skin, eyes, internal organs, nails, and gums due to the intake of colloidal silver into the body.

• The skin areas exposed to the sun often show the darkest and most permanent discoloration.

3. Toxicity:

• The contaminants present in colloidal silver can be toxic.

• Because silver can interfere with kidney and liver function and damage the central nervous system is studied in various animal studies and was also agreed by Dr. Young.

How Is Colloidal Silver Effective on the Individual Body?

Firstly individuals should take a doctor’s advice before using this colloidal silver on their skin because the internal use of colloidal silver is not yet proven effective or safe. Few doctors use silver-containing medicines to treat conjunctivitis because they assume it helps to fight infections. In some bandages and dressings, few manufacturers add silver, which helps people to heal faster. When colloidal silver is put on the skin, these benefits may extend to minor infections, irritations, and burns. The antimicrobial properties of silver help to prevent or treat infections. But while using this colloidal silver on the skin, if there is any red or inflammation on the affected area, it should stop its use and immediately seek medical attention. When buying colloidal silver products, be safe and follow your doctor's guidance.

Conclusion

People should not replace conventional medical care products with colloidal silver products and other complementary products or practices, which still have not been proven safe and effective. And they should not postpone seeing a healthcare provider about medical problems. Everyone should tell all healthcare providers about the use of complementary health approaches and give them a complete picture of what individuals do to manage their health. It provides safe care to people by ensuring help and coordination with the health care provider.