6 Must Know Facts About Colloidal Silver
Here are some essential facts about colloidal silver, along with a bit of its history. Use these insights to help you choose the best colloidal silver product or simply to get a better understanding of it:
The International Space Station Uses Silver to Purify Water
Silver is increasingly being used in hospitals to filter out harmful organisms like MRSA. The World Health Organization also employs silver and colloidal silver in water filters to disinfect water in developing countries. Colloidal silver is considered one of the least harmful metals to humans while being highly protective.
Silver Kills Harmful Organisms
This is one reason why colloidal silver is used to disinfect water. Historically, silver was used to preserve milk; settlers would drop a silver dollar into milk jugs to prevent spoilage. Babies were often fed with silver spoons, as it was believed to contribute to better health.
Greeks and Romans Used Silver to Prevent Food Spoilage
In addition to its historical use, colloidal silver was employed by physicians in the early 20th century. Its use declined with the advent of antibiotics and the rise of pharmaceutical companies, which favored more profitable, patentable treatments. However, the effectiveness of silver has been recognized for over 2,000 years.
How Colloidal Silver Combats Harmful Organisms
A 2013 study on silver nanoparticles, which are used in true colloidal silver products, showed significant effects against common disease-causing bacteria. Researchers worldwide are testing silver nanoparticles for various medical uses, including dental applications to prevent infections during root canals. An Australian study found that silver nanoparticles were effective against bacteria that exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis, providing long-lasting protection against irritation.
How Does Silver Work Against These Organisms
When a silver atom encounters a bacterial organism, it binds to the cell and is absorbed through the cell wall. Inside the organism, silver disrupts essential metabolic functions, effectively killing the harmful organism. Importantly, silver does not have this effect on healthy human cells.
Not All Colloidal Silver Really Is
The term “colloidal” can refer to two types of silver products: true colloidal silver and ionic silver solutions. Ionic silver does not survive digestion, whereas colloidal silver is stable, survives digestion, and is absorbed into the bloodstream. True colloidal silver contains nanoparticles of silver suspended in a pure liquid solution, with more than fifty percent of the silver being these particles. This increases the surface area and effectiveness of the silver.
Why You Should Only Use a True Colloid
A common concern with colloidal silver is argyria, a rare condition where silver exposure causes the skin to turn blue. Most cases of argyria result from ingesting large quantities of homemade silver sulfide and silver selenide mixtures over many years. When taken in recommended doses and produced by reputable healthcare companies, true colloidal silver poses essentially no risk of argyria.
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