What is colloidal silver?
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By Max Looman
Colloidal silver is a remedy that many people use to support their health. But with so many products on the market, it is important to understand what you are putting in and on your body. Whether it's a cream for acne or a bottle of colloidal silver water for fungi, it's crucial to know where these products come from and how they affect your body. In this article, we take a closer look at colloidal silver and what you need to know before using it. So, let's dive in and learn more about this popular treatment!
Colloidal silver: A powerful natural antimicrobial
When it comes to natural remedies, colloidal silver has long been revered for its healing properties. But what exactly is colloidal silver? At its simplest, it is a liquid solution containing tiny silver particles, usually between one and a thousand nanometers in diameter. The ancient Greeks used it to treat stomach ulcers and heal wounds, and people once put a silver coin in their water to purify it. Today, colloidal silver is still used in hospitals to keep surfaces free of harmful microbes. Unlike antibiotics, colloidal silver is less likely to lead to antibiotic resistance. Let's take a closer look at this fascinating substance and explore its potential benefits.
A brief history of colloidal silver: From ancient times to today
Colloidal silver has a long history, dating back to at least 400 BC, when it was first used for its positive effects on health care. The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, even praised silver for its therapeutic benefits. In 1861, Scottish chemist Thomas Graham discovered how to produce colloidal particles, which led to the creation of silver water. Eight years later, Swiss scientist Carl von Nageli's research revealed that colloidal metal suspensions, including silver, had microbiocidal activity, and from this, various medical and antiseptic applications were developed. For centuries, silver was a staple in doctors' bags, but its popularity waned with the advent of chemical antibiotics and antiseptics. However, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in natural remedies, and colloidal silver is making a comeback because of its positive results and reputation in the past. Today, people have an increasing need for natural remedies that positively affect health, leading to renewed interest in the use of colloidal silver.
A comprehensive guide on how to make Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is a popular health supplement that contains tiny silver particles. But how is it made? While it is important to note that the process should not be attempted at home, a common way to make colloidal silver consists of placing silver spheres in distilled water and electrifying the mixture. The electrical charge causes the silver particles to separate and float in the water. The ratio of silver to water varies by product, but a homeopathic diluted solution requires six silver particles for every million water particles.
At Crystal Colloidal, we have developed a unique technique for making colloidal silver. We convert silver into a substance consisting of individual silver atoms, which are fused together to form nanoparticles consisting of nine or more atoms. These nanoparticles are negatively charged, allowing them to float evenly through water - a property known as the "zeta potential." When applied, these particles are gradually absorbed into the body through the skin and bloodstream.
How does colloidal silver water work against bacteria or infections?
Colloidal silver water has been used for centuries for a variety of applications, including treating burns, fungi and boosting the immune system. Despite its long history of use, scientists still do not fully understand how it fights bad bacteria. However, they have found that when the nanosilver in colloidal silver water comes in contact with harmful bacteria, it can penetrate their cell walls and release silver ions, which can alter the bacteria's DNA and prevent them from growing. Good bacteria, on the other hand, are generally left alone because of their different cell wall structure. Unlike antibiotics, which can lead to bacterial resistance, colloidal silver does not promote resistance because the death of the bacteria comes from their own DNA. In this blog, you will learn more about the origin of silver water and what Crystal Colloidal water is made of.
Every element a different application
What is ionic silver? How to recognize it and the difference from colloidal silver
What is ionic silver?
Ionic silver is silver dissolved in water in the form of silver ions. It differs from colloidal silver in that it lacks an electron, making it unstable and incomplete. To become complete, a silver ion combines with chlorine, creating silver chloride (AgCl). This changes its effect on the body. You can recognize ionic silver by its clear and colorless appearance, and adding table salt creates a white cloud in the solution.
Colloidal silver or ionic silver?
Colloidal silver is more stable than ionic silver, and it does not react with chlorine or stomach acid, unlike ionic silver. Therefore, it is safe to consume and does not become toxic or insoluble. To ensure transparency, any product containing more than 50% colloidal or ionic silver must state this on the label.
Misleading labels and names of ionic silver
Misleading labels and names
Ionic silver is often disguised by different names, such as colloidal silver, ionic colloidal silver, ionic silver particles, mono-atomic silver, silver hydrosol or silver water. Some manufacturers claim that their products contain silver particles or mono-atomic silver, which is not true because the products usually consist of ionic silver. Moreover, they may use misleading names such as "colloidal silver" or "ionic colloidal silver" to capitalize on the name recognition and effects of colloidal silver.
What is silver protein and its difference from colloidal silver?
What is Silver Protein?
Silver protein is a type of colloidal silver product that consists of large silver particles, which do not dissolve in water. As a result, the body cannot absorb the silver effectively, making it less effective than other colloidal silver products.
The difference with Colloidal Silver
Unlike other colloidal silver products, silver protein has the smallest particle area per concentration. As a result, it is less effective and is not absorbed well by the body. Unfortunately, some suppliers do not clearly label their silver protein products, leading to consumer confusion.
Understanding Argyria: What causes skin discoloration?
What is Argyria?
Argyria is a dermatological condition that causes a blue-gray discoloration of the skin. It occurs when people consume too much elemental silver, silver dust or silver compounds. The silver salts accumulate in the skin and are oxidized by sunlight, causing the discoloration. This disease was first discovered in the 19th century when silver solutions were widely used in medicine. Today, Argyria occurs mainly because people make colloidal silver at home or buy ionic silver from vendors that is sold as colloidal silver.
What causes skin discoloration?
To save costs, people often make colloidal silver at home, but this can lead to discoloration of the skin. It is impossible to make high-quality colloidal silver at home, and depending on the method, one ends up making between 80% and 100% ionic silver. To speed up the production process, table salt is often added to the substance, which can cause argyria. When ionic silver comes in contact with chlorine, it seeks out the chlorine to create stability. The combination of ionic silver and chlorine creates silver chloride, a substance that is harmful to the body and can cause skin discoloration. Therefore, it is important to be careful when making colloidal silver at home and avoid adding table salt to the solution.
Every element a different application
Maximum allowable intake of silver - what you need to know
Criteria for silver intake
The Dutch government has established several references to determine the maximum acceptable levels of silver intake. One reference is the quality requirements of the Water Supply Decree, which states that accidental intake of 10 ppm colloidal silver is allowed as long as the daily maximum intake of 50 μg is not exceeded. This is equivalent to three times the toxic lead, meaning that intake of 5 cc of colloidal silver per day is safe.
MAC value silver
Another reference is the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of silver in your workplace, which is set by the government and published in the Government Gazette. For metallic silver, the MAC value is 0.1 mgr/m3, which means that a person working in an environment where this amount of silver is present in the air may ingest up to 530 μg of silver per day without suffering permanent health damage.
In general, Dutch government references indicate that the maximum allowable intake of silver varies depending on context, but is generally considered safe within certain limits. It is important to follow dosage instructions carefully and consult a physician if you have any concerns.
Contemporary applications of colloidal silver
Personal care and household products
Colloidal silver is widely used in personal care products such as deodorants, shampoos, creams, lotions and hydrogel mediums. The German company Beiersdorf AG (Nivea) has even developed a product line with silver. The antimicrobial properties of silver make it an ideal preservative, extending the shelf life of products. Household products, including silver plates and pots, have also been used for centuries. Today, silver is still widely used in bathtubs, washing machines, air purifiers with silver filters and refrigerators. Silver nanoparticles are also used in household items such as keyboards, appliances and bathroom handles. NASA even uses silver as part of their water filtration system in space. The Dutch company ATECA created the first silver-copper water filtration system for commercial and residential use.
Challenges in the marketplace
With the increasing popularity of colloidal silver, there are many products on the market. However, EU policy prohibits manufacturers from making medical claims. Unfortunately, many bad colloidal and ionic silver products with misleading marketing have made it difficult for consumers to distinguish between good and bad products. At the urging of consumer groups, often funded by pharmaceutical interests, government agencies are focusing on eliminating the bad products, leading to a recommendation to remove all colloidal silver products from the market.