Colloidal Silver - An Alternative Remedy With Antimicrobial Properties

Colloidal silver is an alternative treatment with antimicrobial properties that has
become widely touted for treating everything from tuberculosis and arthritis to
shingles, COVID-19 infection, cancer and even herpes.
Orally consumed mercury can result in a bluish tint on skin and eyes known as
argyria, build up in organs leading to liver and kidney damage and reduce
absorption of certain drugs, such as antibiotics or levothyroxine used for thyroid
deficiency treatment.

It’s safe
Colloidal silver is a solution of fine particles suspended in liquid that's often
promoted as an alternative medicine for treating various health issues, including
bacterial infections and autoimmune conditions. Although colloidal silver products
have long been touted as miracle cures, there's little scientific support behind its
claims; even the FDA has issued warnings against oral silver products as unsafe
solutions that don't work to address most conditions they claim to treat.
Even without scientific proof, many people continue to use colloidal silver. Many
believe it can prevent and treat diseases such as AIDS, cancer, Lyme disease
tuberculosis diabetes; others claim it improves immune function while providing
general well-being benefits.

However, colloidal silver isn't essential to human health - in fact it's actually toxic
metal not naturally present in the body - taking too much can lead to an extreme
condition called argyria that produces blue-gray tones across skin, eyes, organs and
the nervous system, potentially leading to nerve damage and seizures.
Colloidal silver may interact with certain medications, such as antibiotics and the
thyroid medication levothyroxine, leading to side effects including kidney damage
and liver issues if taken in excess. Therefore, it's essential that you inform your
healthcare provider of all supplements taken.

Avoid these risks by choosing only colloidal silver products that have been
independently certified by USP or ConsumerLab laboratories, and using it on open
wounds only after first consulting your physician and not pregnant or breastfeeding
mothers.

Be sure to inform your healthcare provider of any other complementary therapies
you are using - not only will this allow them to manage your care more effectively
and ensure you're receiving the latest treatments, but they may even recommend
additional medications or therapies as part of ensuring informed decisions are made
about your health.

It’s effective

While test-tube research has confirmed silver's ability to kill bacteria, fungi and
viruses, its therapeutic effectiveness remains uncertain. Although ancient
civilizations used silver as medicine, once antibiotics became readily available they
no longer used this remedy; today some people use colloidal silver products like
colloidal silver to treat conditions like hay fever, infections and even cancer but
there's little proof for such claims; the FDA warns against their use as potentially
risky treatments.

People taking colloidal silver by mouth may not experience immediate side effects,
but according to the FDA long-term use can lead to serious health concerns
including kidney damage and seizures. Unfortunately, it's unclear exactly how much
silver can be taken without becoming harmful, with too much silver build-up in
tissues resulting in blue-gray tinted skin, eyes, nails, organs known as "argyria." This
condition usually arises after taking numerous oral supplements containing silver as
it accumulates over time in tissues.

Individuals can also apply colloidal silver topically for treating certain health
conditions, including ear infections, sinusitis and skin irritations. Some topical
preparations contain low doses of silver (usually 10-30 parts per million), making
these homeopathic remedies popularly sold today based on the belief that even very
small doses have healing powers.

Although it carries risks, some individuals still believe colloidal silver can help them
deal with COVID-19. Unfortunately, according to FDA advice these products are
falsely advertised and do not prevent or cure this virus - in fact they can increase
symptoms and lead to more severe complications.

As vaccination is the ideal means of protecting against COVID-19, individuals taking
prescription medications or pregnant should discuss vaccinating with their physician
and speaking to him or her regarding any antiviral supplements they might need,
should use under physician's guidance and should store in cool places until
expiration dates arrive.

Silver can kill certain bacteria in a laboratory environment, but it hasn't proven
successful when applied directly to humans. Furthermore, denatured enzymes in our
bodies may interfere with normal body functions causing discomfort to normal bodily
processes and even organ damage. Recent research indicates that oral colloidal
silver could reduce effectiveness of medications including antibiotics and thyroxine
(used to treat thyroid disorders). Furthermore, its side effects such as argyria
neurological impairment or organ damage may make taking it unadvisable -
especially among those with weak immune systems or existing conditions like
diabetes.

Colloidal silver is made up of tiny silver particles suspended in liquid that are
commonly promoted online as dietary supplements with health benefits. But
according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), no scientific evidence
supports these claims, and that some products could actually be harmful.

Furthermore, FDA has taken action against companies making misleading health-
related claims about colloidal silver.

Some people use colloidal silver to treat skin infections and irritations. It can either
be applied directly onto the skin, or taken as an oral dietary supplement. Many also
make their own colloidal solution using silver electrodes - however the FDA advises
consulting your physician first when making this decision.

Though some doctors recommend topical colloidal silver for treating minor skin
ailments, there's limited evidence of its efficacy for other uses. Long-term ingestion
of silver may also lead to blue-gray discolorations of tissues within eyes, brain,
bones, gums and internal organs which is known as argyria - this condition can
become permanent over time.

In general, it's wise to avoid alternative medicines that have yet to be proven safe
or effective. If you decide to use one anyway, look for products labeled with USP
Verification or independent testing laboratories like ConsumerLab or NSF on them;
speak to your physician as well about any supplemental products or practices you're
contemplating using.

It’s not a cure-all
Silver has long been touted as a natural treatment for various health ailments, from
colds and cancer to arthritis and inflammation. Today, most use it either as a dietary
supplement, homeopathic remedy or topically applied treatment for skin ailments
such as rashes. Unfortunately, however, scientific evidence doesn't back these
claims and the product can lead to adverse side effects.

The FDA and Federal Trade Commission have taken actions against companies
making false or misleading claims about colloidal silver. Despite these warnings,
people still use colloidal silver supplements to treat infections or other health
concerns. It's important to know that these products don't work and may even cause
harm, including permanent blue-gray discolorations of skin and nails and
interference with medications.

Colloidal silver is made up of tiny particles suspended in liquid. While many tout it as
an "anti-ageing remedy", there's no scientific proof for many claims made about
colloidal silver's effectiveness; indeed, FDA warnings indicate it should not be
consumed or applied topically directly.

Silver particles consumed can have toxic blood levels and cause organ damage.
Furthermore, myoclonic seizures - potentially life-threatening seizures - may occur
as well as permanent blueish-gray discolorations of skin, nails and eyes known as
argyria due to long-term exposure or high doses of silver.

If you are interested in topical applications of silver, consult with your doctor or
registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN). Because the FDA doesn't regulate
supplements the same way it regulates prescription drugs, label may not accurately
reflect what's inside. Instead, look for products tested independently by USP or
Consumer Labs so that you are receiving the proper amount while minimizing
potential side effects.