By Tim Rosenberger
For centuries, people have observed the effects that different types of metals have on the body by ingesting them into their system. One of the most common metals — as well as one of the most controversial regarding its safety, benefits and potential dangers — is colloidal silver, a substance presently marketed by several manufacturers that has spurred debate among doctors and health care professionals who disagree concerning its effectiveness.
What is Colloidal Silver?
Colloidal silver, also known as “silver water,” is a liquid containing small amounts of silver particles. It has been used for centuries, dating back to the days when royal families would eat and drink with silver utensils and cups. These royals, whose bouts of illness caused by the mineral were claimed to have been extremely rare, received the nickname “blue bloods” due to the high percentage of silver in their blood. Silver containers were also used by the Greeks and Romans to store perishable liquids. In addition, silver coins, before the advent of refrigeration, were sometimes dropped in milk to delay spoilage.
In more modern times, colloidal silver came to prominence in the early 20th century and reached its height of popularity in the 1920s and 1930s as an antibiotic. It eventually tapered off in the 1940s before experiencing a resurgence in the 1990s as a cure-all.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Health experts differ widely in their opinions regarding whether individuals should use colloidal silver as a weight loss supplement and/or potential disease-fighting mechanism. Colloidal silver has been marketed as an effective treatment for a kaleidoscope of ailments.
Today, people purchase colloidal silver as a dietary supplement and also use it to treat ailments such as yeast infections; conditions caused by bacteria, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, scarlet fever, stomach ulcers and cholera; viruses, such as HIV/AIDS, herpes and shingles; lung conditions, such as emphysema and bronchitis; skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis; and sinus infections. Colloidal silver has even been used in cancer treatments, such as leukemia, as well as flu and cold prevention. Applied directly to the skin, colloidal silver can treat burns, styes, and acne. It can also assist with bone growth and with keeping a strong immune system.
Peoria pharmacist and co-owner of Essential Wellness Pharmacy, Jeff Robins, has been doing pharmaceutical work for 25 years and is cautiously open-minded about colloidal silver. Robins uses the product topically for skin irritation and infections and nasally for infections.
“Ultimately, I’d like to see more research done on it,” Robins says.
Despite the mineral’s positive applications, safety is a top priority for Robins as well as for other health professionals. When it comes to ingesting the product, Robins takes caution. He says he has not found sufficient data to support the safe consumption of silver or its safe removal from the body.
Dr. Brent A. Bauer, a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine and program director at the Mayo Clinic, agrees: “Colloidal silver isn’t considered safe or effective for any of the health claims manufacturers make,” he comments on the Mayo Clinic web site. “Silver has no known purpose in the body. Nor is it an essential mineral, as some sellers of silver products claim.”
Dr. Bauer says colloidal silver has never been evaluated in a sound scientific study published in any reliable medical journal. In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration issued a proposed rule stating: “All over-the-counter (OTC) drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for internal or external use are not generally recognized as safe and effective and are misbranded.”
One of the most common potential dangers of colloidal silver injection is argyria, caused by an excessive buildup of colloidal silver in the body. The condition has been known to turn the eyes, skin, nails, gums and internal organs blue or bluish grey. This does not cause death or other health problems, but the bluish color does not go away when colloidal silver is no longer ingested.
Important to note is that individuals who suffer from argyria are not plentiful, according to Robins. Extreme cases result when individuals ignore the manufacturer, who often will not recommend the ingestion of colloidal silver, and take excessive amounts of the mineral at one time. Sellers that do promote the ingestion of the substance into the body usually suggest an extremely small amount, Robins adds. Individuals who ingest colloidal silver in small amounts are not likely to experience argyria.
Aside from argyria, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s (NCCAM) website reported that some cases have involved problems with the liver, kidney, and nervous system. The substance may also hinder the body’s ability to absorb drugs.
“Because of the acknowledged differences in silver content and particle size of the silver in various products, it is difficult to draw conclusions from clinical studies conducted on different silver products,” a document on the FDA’s website stated.
In addition to the FDA and the NCCAM, the Center for Disease Control has issued similar statements regarding colloidal silver’s possible dangers.
Consulting Your Physician
Given the vast majority of professional opinions regarding the pros and cons of ingesting colloidal silver, people should consult their primary care physician rather than rely on information found on the Internet, which is not always substantiated, according to Robins. Becoming aware of the various viewpoints on the subject will help individuals know the right questions to ask, such as whether taking colloidal silver may be harmful if a person has a specific health condition.
In regards to the future of colloidal silver, Robins says, further studies are being conducted to determine its effects, beneficial or otherwise. If studies yield positive results, Robins believes the product could prove more useful.
“I’d like the questions to finally be answered,” Robins says. “I’m worried some people are going to be harmed by misusing it, and so, what I’d really like to see is maybe a university take over and do a couple clinical trials on it and get some good final data on it.”
Individuals interested in colloidal silver should avoid ingestion completely without proper instruction from their doctor.
For more information, contact Jeff Robins at Essential Wellness Pharmacy at 309-681-8850. Essential Wellness Pharmacy is located at 4625 N. University, Peoria. You may also visit us online at essentialwellnesspharmacy.com. Celebrating life and healthy living!
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