Colloidal silver has enjoyed an upsurge in popularity in the last twenty years with all sorts of claims being made regarding its health benefits. It is suggested that colloidal silver is superior to synthetic drugs because bacteria are unable to build up an immunity to it unlike manmade medications which have inadvertently increased the strength of certain bacterial strains. Yet amidst all the hyperbole about this product, extensive research seems to suggest that it is not the all-healing elixir it is commonly portrayed as.

Silver Exposure

We are all exposed to trace amounts of silver in the course of our everyday lives. Food, drinking water and air often contain miniscule amounts of silver which is not an essential mineral. It was used by ancient civilizations as a disinfectant and this process was carried on through to the 20^th century. The advent of modern antibiotics spelled the end for colloidal silver as a chief means of fighting bacteria but various companies have been trying to suggest that it is superior to antibiotics since the 1990s in extensive marketing drives.

False Claims

Claims that colloidal silver can kill one hundred times more bacteria than synthetic drugs have been dismissed out of hand by the world’s health authorities. Most countries do not consider colloidal silver as being a safe way to treat illnesses. In fact, the American Food and Drug Administration has taken legal action against companies that advertise colloidal silver as a better way of defeating bacteria than antibiotics. Cynics and proponents of colloidal silver suggest that this is simply a way of governments to make extra money from antibiotics that do not work. Yet detailed scientific research has shown that colloidal silver is not the wonder cure it is claimed to be.

Argyria

In fact, there are numerous side effects attributed to excessive use of colloidal silver, the most serious of which is Argyria. Claims that it is impossible to overdose on silver appear to be false. As silver does not have a metabolic function, the minimal amounts that get into our body are removed through excretion. However, excessive intake can cause Argyria which occurs when silver gets caught and stored in the body’s internal organs. This causes the skin to turn grey. Argyria was common in the era prior to antibiotics when doctors routinely recommended nose drops which contained silver to patients. Discovery of Argyria soon caused physicians to cease prescribing this form of medication.

It is extremely difficult to treat this condition, though laser therapy is available to those seeking restoration of their skin to its normal colour. However, there have been numerous cases where Argyria has become a permanent condition. Argyria is caused when colloidal silver becomes mixed with proteins. It is not known how much colloidal silver needs to be consumed in order for Argyria to occur but it has been concluded that the alleged benefits of the product are far outweighed by its side effects.

Other Side Effects

Arteriosclerosis is another negative effect of colloidal silver. This condition involves the arteries hardening to an extent where a heart attack could ensue. Contrary to the claim that colloidal silver benefits the immune system, excessive use could actually destroy it as the silver deposits on inner organs causing illness. It has also been discovered that colloidal silver reacts badly with drugs such as thyroxine and tetracyclines.

Therefore, it appears that colloidal silver causes more harm than good with its positive effects seemingly exaggerated. There is no real medical evidence to back up claims of its potency against hundreds of different bacteria forms. However, plenty of research suggests that excessive use is extremely harmful. What’s worse is that companies marketing the product suggest that it is impossible to overdose on colloidal silver when this is clearly not the case.