Colloidal Silver: Top 3 Immune Benefits and How to Use It

Colloidal Silver: Top 3 Immune Benefits and How to Use It

Silver has been used for its antimicrobial and other health benefits in folk medicine for centuries to treat wounds, colds, and infections. Since the invention of antibiotics, the use of silver for bacterial infections has decreased. However, with rising antibiotic resistance and the growing renewed interest in natural treatment options, colloidal silver is an alternative option for many.

You can find a large variety of silver products at health food stores, pharmacies, supplement shops, and online stores. The internet is flooded with information about colloidal silver benefits. However, the information can be confusing and contradictory.

You can find endless personal testimonials praising colloidal silver for its powerful health benefits. On the other hand, you will also find articles about the concerns associated with not enough scientific evidence and side effects. Hence, scouring the internet and reading conflicting information, you may wonder if colloidal silver is right for you.

My goal is to review what science actually says about colloidal silver and bring you evidence-based information. Learn about what silver is, what type of silver you may find on the market, what benefits it may have, what conditions you want to use it for, what side effects it has, and how to choose the best silver supplement for your health.

Types of Silver

Silver has been used for its antibacterial and antiviral properties for centuries. Back in the day when people didn’t have refrigerators, they commonly put silver coins in their milk containers as a preservative to prevent bacteria and algae growth. There was no spoiled milk, thanks to silver.

Today you not only have the benefit of refrigeration, but you can experience the benefits of silver without using silver coins. All you need is powerful silver solutions to enhance your health.  There are four types of silver products on the market that you may choose from for their health benefits:

Ionic silver

Ionic silver solutions are made up of silver ions. Ionic silver is the least expensive form of silver you can find on the market, hence one of the most popular ones. However, ionic silver is not true colloidal silver and doesn’t hold the same health benefits as other silver solutions. I recommend choosing a safer and more effective form of silver.

Silver Protein

Silver protein-based solutions contain gelatin, to keep large silver particles suspended. Making silver protein products is simple by mixing water with silver protein powder. While silver protein supplements are commonly used, they are still less effective than true colloidal silver. To ensure you receive full health benefits, I recommend choosing a more effective form of silver product.

Colloidal Silver

Unlike ionic silver and silver protein solutions, true colloidal silver doesn’t contain any protein or other additives. Instead, it is made out of nanometre-sized silver particles creating a highly effective form of silver. Colloidal silver is made by mechanically grinding metallic silver into tiny silver particles or by converting silver salts into small silver crystals using an electrochemical reaction. (1)

When talking about colloidal silver, it is important to understand that colloidal silver is different from other silver salt solutions, such as silver oxide, silver nitrate, and silver chloride. Pure colloidal silver is much less toxic than silver salts. Low-quality and homemade colloidal silver products may have some or even a substantial amount of silver salt in them. These silver salts are usually the culprit behind potential colloidal silver side effects; therefore, it is important to only buy the highest quality of silver from trusted brands.

If you are looking for a powerful silver product, pure colloidal silver may be right for you. However, it is even better to choose a superior nanoparticle or nano silver for maximum health benefits and safety.

Nanoparticle Silver

Nanoparticle silver or nano silver is the most advanced form of silver you can use.  It is made by using nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is a growing field creating and using nano-sized particles.

To put this in perspective, you should understand that 1 nanometer (nm) equals 1 billionth of a meter. One meter is about 3.28 feet.   One of the ways nanotechnology is making a big impact on healthcare is by making nanoparticle silver, or nano-silver.

Clearly, nanoparticles are incredibly tiny allowing nano silver to be high-quality, pure, and toxin-free. When it comes to silver, even 0.01%  impurity can cause harm to the body. Using nanotechnology helps to control the purity of nanoparticle silver.

When nanoparticle silver comes in contact with bacteria or fungus, it can inhibit the growth and multiplication of these invaders preventing and treating infections, sores, itchiness, and odor.

The benefits of nanoparticle silver include:

• Fast-acting
• Highly effective
• Non-stimulating
• Non-poisonous
• Non-allergic
• Tolerance-free
• Hydrophilic

Nanoparticle silver can also be used in dressings for burns and scalds, on acne, on cavity wounds, in panty liners, and other female hygiene products. Outside of healthcare, nanoparticle silver can be used for coating the surface of electronics, ceramics, textiles, glass, paper, carbons, and more. (2)

Learning about the superiority of nano silver, you may understand why I recommend this form of silver the most. My personal favorite nano silver is Silver Spray™ with maximum benefits and no toxicity.

Benefits of Colloidal Silver

Now that you understand what kind of silver is the best for you, you may wonder what health benefits colloidal silver has for you.

The truth is that there isn’t enough strong clinical evidence on the health benefits of colloidal silver. The outdated Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement from 1999 claims that there is no scientific evidence supporting its claimed benefits. However, this statement was made two decades ago, and a number of new research has surfaced since that found that colloidal silver may possess certain health benefits. There are various scientific studies and endless anecdotal evidence which suggest that colloidal silver may be the right natural remedy for many. (3)

Based on what we know now, colloidal silver has some antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory benefits, and may be effective for a number of health conditions. Let’s look at them one by one.

Antibacterial/Antimicrobial Benefits

Colloidal silver is a powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial supplement. While your body can build up resistance to prescription antibiotics, it’s not the case when it comes to colloidal silver. This may be good news considering that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are over 2 million people who suffer from antibiotic-resistant infections in the US alone. (4)

Moreover, long-term use of antibiotics can damage your gut leading to inflammation and health problems. On the other hand, there is no evidence that colloidal silver interrupts your gut flora. In fact, it can actually disrupt the cell membranes and stop the reproduction of fungi, such as Candida, which is known to compromise the gut flora. (5)

According to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, colloidal silver may be effective against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Research has found that colloidal silver can permeate and damage bacterial cells. Further research suggests that by increasing oxidative stress in bacterial cells, colloidal silver may also be able to inhibit the growth of or kill bacteria. (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

While there are no further studies on the subject, it is interesting to point out a case report of a twelve year-old patient with cystic fibrosis. Colloidal silver supplementation effectively treated his Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is a multi-drug resistant bacteria that can lead to pneumonia. (11)

Antiviral Benefits

Beyond its antimicrobial benefits, colloidal silver is also a fantastic antiviral substance.   Cell-based research has found that colloidal silver can interfere with the replication mechanism of HIV. Moreover, colloidal silver may also be effective against the herpes simplex virus and Hepatitis B. (12, 13, 14)

You may be even more excited to hear that colloidal silver seems to be effective against the common cold and the flu. Research has found that nanoparticles can prevent viral replication in these viral infections. According to a study of 100 children affected by the common cold, ninety percent of participants who used colloidal silver experienced reduced inflammation versus sixty-six percent of the control group that used a saline solution instead. (15, 16)

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Beyond its fantastic antimicrobial and antifungal properties, colloidal silver is a potent anti-inflammatory supplement. It has the potential to inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. (17)

An animal study found that pigs with skin inflammation treated with colloidal silver experienced reduced inflammation and had near-normal skin after just 72 hours, while the control group had no improvement. Another study noted improved inflammation in mice ears. (18, 19)

Conditions It Can Be Effective For

The antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory benefits of silver go a long way. It can be effective for many conditions, from sore throats to bronchitis.

Sore Throat

The common cold, the flu, and other viral and bacterial infections can come with a sore throat. Research has shown that colloidal silver can prevent and help treat the flu and the common cold, hence reducing the risk and aiding the recovery from a sore throat. (15)

Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection characterized by a sore, red throat with white patches. Due to its powerful antibacterial properties, colloidal silver may be able to help prevent and promote the recovery from a strep infection. (6, 7)

Ear Infections

Ear infections are often caused by bacteria or even fungal infections. In some cases, they are caused by multiple forms of bacteria, making prescription antibiotics less effective, since those are designed against specific classes of bacteria only.

Since colloidal silver is a potent antibiotic and anti-fungal supplement, it may be effective in cases of nagging ear infections. While there aren’t any research studies to prove this yet, personal experiences seem to support its effectiveness. (6, 7)

Skin Wounds and Skin Conditions

Thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, colloidal silver can be effective in treating cuts, burns, and other wounds of the skin. Colloidal silver may also be effective in treating wounds infected by drug-resistant strains of bacteria. (20, 21)

Colloidal silver may also be beneficial for people with eczema, psoriasis, acne, and other similar skin conditions. Colloidal silver-based nanogels can soothe scrapes, repair tissue damage, and be a helpful dressing for various skin wounds. (22)

Sinusitis

Colloidal silver may be effective for people with sinusitis. One sheep model animal study on rhinosinusitis has found that topical colloidal silver treatment can reduce bacterial growth and lower inflammation accelerating recovery from the infection. (23)

A human study on twenty-two patients has found that colloidal silver is safe to use for sinusitis. The study concluded that participants using colloidal silver had similar results to those given antibiotics. (24)

Eye Infections

Pink eye is a contagious disease characterized by inflamed mucous membranes covering the eyeball and eyelid lining. Pink eye is generally caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Colloidal silver is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial substance that may be helpful against pink eye and other eye infections. While there isn’t any scientific evidence yet on the subject, anecdotal evidence suggests that silver may be effective against pink eye. (6, 7, 15)

Bronchitis/Pneumonia

Bronchitis is an infection characterized by the inflammation of the lining of the lung, whereas pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics for these infections, however, in cases of viral infections, these medications are designed to treat bacterial infections and are unfortunately useless.

Colloidal silver is both an antibacterial and antiviral supplement. It can be effective against both infections regardless if they are viral or bacterial. When inhaled into the lungs, colloidal silver can directly contact the invaders and clear up the lungs effectively. (6, 7, 15)

Side Effects and Drug Interactions

No matter how beneficial it is to your body, any natural remedy or supplement can have some side effects and drug interactions. Let’s find out if colloidal silver is right for you.

Side Effects

There is very limited research on the potential side effects of colloidal silver. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health warns people that taking silver may lead to poor absorption of certain medications, and may also lead to a condition called argyria.

Argyria is a condition that makes your mucous membranes and skin look grayish-blue. Taking colloidal silver by mouth can result in a build up in the tissues leading to agyria. Argyria seems to be irreversible, however, new research shows that laser treatments may be an effective treatment for the condition. However, there is no need to worry, argyria isn’t dangerous, but a medically benign condition. Nonetheless, having blue skin may not be on your wish list. (25)

However, agyria is more likely to be the result of cheaper silver products, such as ionic silver and silver protein, or the misuse of the supplement, instead of the careful use of high-quality colloidal or nano silver. (26)

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

There is not enough research evidence on this topic, however, since silver may cross the placenta, it may be unsafe during pregnancy. Always talk to your healthcare professional for advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

The following medications may cause moderate interaction with silver (27):

• Quinolone antibiotics: Colloidal silver might decrease the absorption and effectiveness of Quinolone antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), norfloxacin (Chibroxin, Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin (Trovan), and grepafloxacin (Raxar).
• Tetracycline antibiotics: Colloidal silver might decrease the absorption and effectiveness of tetracycline antibiotics, such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), minocycline (Minocin), and tetracycline (Achromycin). Make sure to wait two hours before or four hours after taking these antibiotics before taking colloidal silver to avoid interactions.
• Levothyroxine:  Colloidal silver might decrease the absorption and effectiveness of levothyroxine.
• Penicillamine:  Colloidal silver might decrease the absorption and effectiveness of penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) used for rheumatoid arthritis and Wilson’s disease.

Be cautious if you are taking any of these medications, and talk to your healthcare professional before using silver.

Introducing Silver Spray

Understanding current scientific research and listening to countless personal stories praising silver, I believe that silver can be an incredibly beneficial supplement for your health. However, I’m also aware of the controversy and believe that using the highest-quality pure silver supplement is absolutely important to receive maximum health benefits and avoid potential side effects and toxicity.

This is why I created my own product I use personally and recommend to my patients regularly: Silver Spray™.  It is true nano silver, which is the most advanced form of silver you can find on the market.

This product is a highly effective antimicrobial preparation composed of pure silver complexed with purified water. Silver Spray™ uses Silver Sol Technology®, the term “sol” being a designation of a mineral permanently distributed into the structure of water. The silver becomes a part of that water molecule permanently so it will not fall out of solution or suspension.

Silver Spray™ contains 15 ppm of purified silver per serving. This is an incredibly powerful, non-toxic form of silver, with zero build-up in the body, so it does not cause argyria (blue man syndrome).

• Nano silver is superior to colloidal silver. The silver in this product becomes part of the water molecule permanently. This is distinct from colloidal silvers that suspend larger particles of silver with oxygen molecules, which may result in them falling out of solution and accumulating in body tissues.
• Silver Spray™ is fantastic for immune support. This incredibly powerful, non-toxic form of silver offers immune support with 15ppm of technologically advanced silver nanoparticles.
• Silver Spray™ is safe, pure, and non-toxic. This product is absolutely non-toxic and mixed into a solution with purified water. The silver in this product will not build up in the body and can be safely used long-term with no known side effects.

This is a fantastic product I love to have on hand at home. I recommend it to my patients for temporary periods of time to support and boost their immune response in fighting against infections, such as sore throat, strep throat, pink eye, skin cuts, wounds, burns, and so on.

I recommend 2 to 4 sprays twice a day or in advanced cases 6 to 8 sprays two to four times a day, or as recommended by your healthcare professional. Please, always consult your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or concerned about potential drug interactions.

If you want to work with a functional health coach, I recommend this article with tips on how to find a great coach. On our website, we offer long-distance functional health coaching programs. For further support with your health goals, just reach out—our fantastic coaches are here to support your journey.

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