Are There Any Benefits of Colloidal Silver?

Colloidal silver is a postponement of microscopic atoms of silver, typically in water, which has gained a mostly undeserved status in recent years as a cure-all with statements that it’s a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal agent, and as a generic “immune system booster”.

Furthermore, there are also a few statements that it’s able to treat some serious diseases such as tuberculosis, Lyme disease, and AIDS. Most of these statements are baseless woo. ¹ 

About the Possible Colloidal Silver Benefits

Even though there are no any proven colloidal silver benefits yet, many experts are still working on this subject. According to WebMD ¹ , there is some insufficient evidence for:

• Stomach ulcers
• Lyme disease
• Emphysema
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Ear infections
• Bronchitis
• Gum disease
• Fungal infections
• Digestion
• Tuberculosis
• Rosacea
• Sinus infection
• HIV/AIDS
• Food poisoning
• Preventing flu and colds
• Yeast infections
• Other conditions

However, more evidence is required to rate the colloidal silver effectiveness for these uses. ¹ 

Colloidal silver is possibly ineffective for an eye infection. Some scientists found that using eye drops with colloidal silver in both eyes shortly after birth doesn’t help prevent some eye infections in infants. Other experts claim that applying a colloidal silver solution to the surface of the eye of individuals undergoing eye surgery doesn’t prevent infections along with applying the povidone-iodine solution. ¹ 

What Health Professionals Say 

According to Brent A. Bauer, M.D., a health expert at Mayo Clinic, colloidal cancer is not considered effective or safe for any of the health claims producers make. In general, silver has no any known purpose in the human body – and it’s not an essential mineral, as various sellers of the silver products say.

The products from colloidal silver are created of tiny silver elements suspended in a fluid — the same type of expensive metal used in silverware, dental fillings, jewelry, and other consumer goods. These products are commonly marketed as dietary supplements which are taken by mouth. They also come in forms to be applied or injected into the skin.

Manufacturers of colloidal silver products usually say that they are cure–alls, treating cancer, fighting bacteria and viruses, treating shingles, HIV/AIDS, boosting your immune system, prostatitis, eye ailments, and herpes.

But, no sound scientific evidence to support these health claims has been published in reliable medical journals. Actually, the Food and Drug Administration has taken some actions against manufacturers of colloidal silver products for making not proven health claims.

It is not clear how much colloidal silver can be harmful, however, it could build up in the body’s tissues over time. Usually, this results in argyria, which a blue-gray discoloration of your gums, nails, internal organs, eyes, and skin. While argyria does not pose a serious health issue, it can be a cosmetic concern since it does not go away when you stop using silver products.

Rarely, excessive dose of colloidal silver could cause possibly irreversible serious health issues, including neurological issues (like seizures) and kidney damage. Moreover, colloidal silver products may interact with medications, including quinolone antibiotics, penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen), thyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid) and tetracycline medications, too. ¹ 

What the Science Says About the Effectiveness of Colloidal Silver

Currently, scientific evidence does not support the usage of colloidal silver dietary supplements for any condition or disease.

• • Silver is not a useful dietary supplement or a nutritionally essential mineral.
  • Silver has no known benefits or function in our bodies when taken by mouth.
  • Individuals may be exposed to silver, typically in tiny amounts, through food, water, and air, and in certain activities such as soldering or jewelry-making.
  • Sometimes, colloidal silver products are sold as homeopathic remedies.
  • Topical silver (used on the skin) has some proper medical uses, such as in dressings and bandages to treat skin infections, skin wounds, or burns. It is also in medicines to prevent an eye condition (conjunctivitis) in the infant. Though, there aren’t legally marketed over-the-counter drugs or prescription containing colloidal silver that is taken by mouth. ^{1  2  3} 

Safety and Side Effects of Colloidal Silver

• • Colloidal silver is not safe to use. It can cause serious side effects. The most common are argyria, which is a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin that is usually permanent.
  • Colloidal silver could also cause poor absorption of certain drugs, such as some antibiotics and thyroxine (for treating thyroid deficiency).
  • The FDA also informed in 1999 that colloidal silver is not effective or safe for treating any condition or disease.
  • The Federal Trade Commission and the FDA have taken action against numerous companies for making misleading statements about colloidal silver products. ^{1  2  3} 

Conclusion:

Furthermore, there are also a few statements that it’s able to treat some serious diseases such as tuberculosis, Lyme disease, and AIDS. Most of these statements are baseless woo.

It is used topically by applying with a dispenser to the skin (for instance as an antiseptic on some cut) or taken internally. However, remember that there is no any empirical evidence it’s effective at all when taken internally or used topically for anything apart from making you look like a Smurf.

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