Colloidal silver

From Free net encyclopedia

Colloidal silver is a colloid of silver particles in water. It has some antimicrobial properties, and is claimed by some to be a beneficial nutritional supplement. The ingestion of colloidal silver in large quantities or over a long period of time may cause the discoloring condition argyria, in which the skin turns blue-gray.

1 Properties
2 Controversy
3 Preparation
4 See also
5 External links

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Properties

Colloidal silver can be used to keep drinkable water potable over a long period; however, it is not suited for disinfection. It is also used internally and externally for alleged health benefits. Colloidal silver has been claimed to kill various microorganisms. Continued ingestion of high doses silver may result in argyria, a permanent discoloration of the skin.

While high concentrations of colloidal silver will certainly kill many bacteria in vitro, the use of colloidal silver as an internal (in vivo) medicine is controversial.

Due to unsubstantiated health claims (not having gone through the FDA's drug trial and testing regimen) and the poor quality of samples gathered in health food stores, in 1999 the US FDA banned over-the-counter sales of such products, or their advertisement as providing health benefits. If no health benefits are claimed, and colloidal silver is sold as a supplement, its sale is legal. In 2002, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration made a similar ruling [1].

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Controversy

Avid users of colloidal silver claim it to be a very useful supplement to their diet, providing them with improved health and wellbeing and (among other things) a very low incidence of colds and flu. They also assert that, under careful use of properly produced colloidal silver, argyria is virtually impossible. These claims are testimonial, and have not yet been confirmed or refuted by scientific study.

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Preparation

When prepared as a nutritional supplement, colloidal silver is often prepared by any of several methods:

Constant Voltage Method: Pass 12-30 volts through two silver electrodes in distilled water. The water should be pure and no salt should be added as the presence of salt will lead to the silver particles bonding with the sodium chloride to produce silver chloride. Put a small light bulb in the circuit. If the bulb lights, the water is conducting and the process starts. This method most commonly uses several 9 V batteries wired in series. As the conductivity of the distilled water increases, as more silver particles are released from the electrodes, larger particles of silver are produced. Eventually the silver particles will become so large they fall out of suspension and fall to the bottom of the glass. This is an unsafe method of production as larger particles of silver can accumulate in the body resulting in argyria.
Constant Current Method: As above except that a constant current regulator is used which reduces the voltage as the conductivity of the distilled water increases. This ensures that the silver particles produced remain at a constant small size, thus reducing the risk of argyria. It is also claimed that smaller silver particles are more beneficial for health as they can bond with and neutralise smaller potentially harmful microorganisms.
Commercial method: use 0.3-0.32% solution. Use 1 drop for 2 liters of water, or approximately 2 drops per gallon. Wait 20 min to drink.