Colloidal silver refers to the solution of tiny silver particles suspended in the liquid base. As its name suggests, it is the same metal you find in jewelry boxes or the periodic table of elements.
However, some companies market colloidal silver antimicrobial products as an alternative medicine remedy or essential dietary supplement rather than making rings and bracelets.
How Colloidal Silver Works
Silver is capable of killing microorganisms by binding itself to their cells without becoming a threat to human cells.
Researchers and medical experts are stilling into the mechanism involved in the properties of silver antimicrobial.
Is it Safe for Use?
Some surveys show that colloidal silver basically makes it difficult for the human body to take in different antibiotics as well as other medicines. Those surveys also indicate that it can accumulate in the human body, resulting in several side effects, such as:
- Stomach trouble
- Kidney damage
- Headaches
- Argyria
But because colloidal silver is sold as antimicrobial products and dietary supplements, FDA regulates them as food rather than medicines.
This means they don’t have to meet certain measures of effectiveness and safety like medicines do before they reach the market.
How People Consume Colloidal Silver
Although it’s not encouraged for oral consumption, colloidal silver might still be found in spray and liquid forms. Many products have a low dose of colloidal silver, normally ranging from 12 to 30 ppm (parts per million).
Mostly, you may find colloidal silver products labeled as silver sol, silver water, colloidal silver nebulizer, silver hydrosol, and colloidal silver spray. Colloidal silver products are as well sold as one of the best homeopathic remedies.
Health Benefits of Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver manufacturers say that their products may stimulate the human immune system and allow the body to heal faster. Supporters and loyal users believe colloidal silver supplements may as well help in improving skin disorders and treating or preventing illnesses, such as:
- AIDs
- Cancer
- Shingles
- Herpes
- Pneumonia
- Flu
Other Medical Applications
While there are little to no research-proven health benefits of colloidal silver products, silver is used in the medical field because of its antibacterial properties.
Before, people used silver to maintain the freshness of wounds, avoid eye infections in newborns, and treat wounds.
Today, medical experts use colloidal silver products in burns, prostheses, and in the application of catheters. Basically, catheters are thin tubes that doctors insert into a patient’s body.
Medical experts use catheters for various surgical procedures. A catheter may pose a risk of infection during a long hospital visit.
To avoid this infection, doctors use colloidal silver. While more research is required, preliminary studies show that silver-infused catheters can minimize infections.
Another common application is using colloidal silver in ventilators. According to experts, coating ventilators with silver can also slow the bacterial buildup.
To Wrap-Up!
Colloidal silver is basically a solution that has tiny particles of silver. Traditionally, it was used as medicine.
But with FDA regulation, experts regard colloidal silver products like food, not medicine. Other medical experts also use silver in other applications, like catheters, ventilators, and skin.
Although the topic related to colloidal silver is controversial, doctors say that products infused with silver can help a lot in wound healing and prevent certain illnesses.