Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is a suspension of the element silver in a solution usually water.

Where is it found?

Colloidal silver is sold as a water-based solution.

Colloidal Silver has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Science Ratings	Health Concerns
	Minor burns (topical antiseptic)
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. For a herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Who is likely to be deficient?

Silver is not an essential nutrient, and thus no deficiency state exists.

How much is usually taken?

The typical recommendation is 1 teaspoon per day, with each teaspoon (5 ml) containing 10 parts per million (ppm) of silver or 50 mcg of silver. This amount is in keeping with the average amount of silver consumed from food and water: roughly 350 mcg per day for most people. However, little in known about the relative absorption and toxicity of colloidal silver, compared with that of the silver naturally present in our diet. Because of the lack of long-term safety or efficacy data for colloidal silver, its use cannot be recommended.

Are there any side effects or interactions?

When taken in low amounts (e.g., 50 mcg daily), the body appears able to efficiently excrete silver. However, any silver the body is unable to excrete accumulates in body tissues and can result in argyria—the depositing of silver in the internal organs, tissues, and skin.¹ Argyria causes the skin to turn grey or bluish grey and to turn dark on exposure to strong sunlight. This discolouration is permanent and there is no known effective treatment for it. In addition to argyria, the intake of very large amounts (far in excess of the amount that causes discolouration of the skin) of silver can cause neurological and organ damage and atherosclerosis.

The estimated amount of silver accumulation over a one-year period that is required to produce argyria is 1 to 6 grams. This amount is very large compared to the 50 mcg typically recommended and consumed by people using Over-the-counter colloidal silver products. Using the most conservative figure, 1,000 mg (1 gram) of silver corresponds to the silver content in 100 litres of 10 ppm colloidal silver, 50 litres of 20 PPM colloidal silver, or 33.3 litres of 30 PPM colloidal silver.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with colloidal silver.

References

1. Hollinger MA. Toxicological aspects of topical silver pharmaceuticals. Crit Rev Toxicol 1996;26(3):255–60.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires August 2007.