A Guide for Ionic Silver:

History & Uses for Colloidal Silver

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (references to other silver compounds such silver nitrate, etc. have been omitted)

My comments Italicized

The medical uses of silver include its incorporation into wound dressings to treat external infections, and its use as an antiseptic and disinfectant in medical appliances. Silver is also promoted within alternative medicine in the form of colloidal silver, although its use is controversial.

The silver ion (Ag+) is bioactive and in sufficient concentration readily kills bacteria in vitro. Silver also kills bacteria in external wounds in living tissue, so physicians use wound dressings containing silver sulfadiazine (Ag-SD) or silver nanomaterials to treat external infections.[1][2][3][4][5] Wound dressings containing silver are increasing in importance due to the recent increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA.[6] The disinfectant properties of silver are used in medical applications, such as urinary catheters and endotracheal breathing tubes, where the silver content is effective in reducing incidences of catheter-related urinary tract infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), respectively.[7][8][9][10] Silver is also used in bone prostheses, reconstructive orthopaedic surgery and cardiac devices,[11] as well as on surfaces and fabrics to reduce the spread of infection.[12][13]

Since the 1990s, "colloidal silver", a liquid suspension of microscopic silver particles, has been marketed as an alternative medicine, often claiming impressive "cure-all" qualities. The effectiveness of these products has never been scientifically proven, and in some jurisdictions, it is currently illegal to include such claims in product advertisements.[14] Medical authorities and publications advise against the ingestion of colloidal silver preparations, because of their lack of proven effectiveness and because of the risk of adverse side effects, such as argyria.[2][15][16][17] Historically, colloidal silver was also used as an internal medication to treat a variety of diseases. Their use was largely discontinued in the 1940s, due to the development of safe and effective modern antibiotics and concern about adverse side effects.[17][18] (What the doctors did not realize at the time was that over time, and with misuse, the new antibiotics actually produced antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.)

History of Colloidal Silver

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Silver has had some medicinal uses going back for centuries. The Phoenicians are said to have stored water, wine, and vinegar in silver bottles to prevent spoiling.[19] In the early 1900s, people would put silver coins in milk bottles to prolong the milk's freshness.[19] Hippocrates, the "father of medicine",[20] wrote that silver had beneficial healing and antidisease properties.[19] In the early 1900s, silver gained regulatory approval as an antimicrobial agent. Prior to the introduction of antibiotics, colloidal silver was used as a germicide and disinfectant.[21] Physicians used it as an eyedrop for ophthalmic problems,[22] for various infections,[23][24] and sometimes internally for diseases such as tropical sprue, epilepsy, gonorrhea, and the common cold.[2][16][25] Colloidal silver preparations (CSP) were used to treat or prevent gonorrhea and gonorrheal conjunctivitis.[17] Although "silver products were infrequently promoted for oral use, benefits have been even more questionable."[17] With the introduction of antibiotics in the 1940s, the use of silver as an antimicrobial agent diminished. (What the doctors did not realize at the time was that over time, and with misuse, the new antibiotics actually produced antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.)

Antiseptic

Silver and most silver compounds have an oligodynamic effect and are toxic for bacteria, algae, and fungi in vitro. The oligodynamic effect is typical for heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, but, among the elements that have this effect, silver is the least toxic for humans. The antibacterial action of silver is dependent on the silver ion.[12] The effectiveness of silver compounds as an antiseptic is based on the ability of the biologically active silver ion (Ag+) to irreversibly damage key enzyme systems in the cell membranes of pathogens.[12] The antibacterial action of silver has long been known to be enhanced by the presence of an electric field. Applying a few volts of electricity across silver electrodes drastically enhances the rate bacteria in solution are killed. The antibacterial action of silver electrodes is greatly improved if the electrodes are covered with silver nanorods.[26]

Disinfectant

Electrolytically-dissolved silver has been used as a water disinfecting agent, for example, the drinking water supplies of the Russian Mir orbital station and the International Space Station.[27] The World Health Organization includes silver in a colloidal state produced by electrolysis of silver electrodes in water, and colloidal silver in water filters as two of a number of water disinfection methods specified to provide safe drinking water in developing countries.[28] Along these lines, a ceramic filtration system coated with silver particles has been created by Ron Rivera of Potters for Peace and used in developing countries for water disinfection.[29][30][31]

External infections

In World War I, before the advent of antibiotics, silver compounds were used to prevent and treat infections. Silver compounds continue to be used in external preparations as antiseptics.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a range of different silver-impregnated wound dressings.[32]

Laboratory studies at the Biochemical Materials Research and Development Center of Jiaxing College, China, have shown silver-containing alginate fibres provide a sustained release of silver ions when in contact with wound exudates, and are “highly effective against bacteria”.[3] A study administered by the Hull York Medical School found an antimicrobial barrier dressing containing silver provided “a highly effective and reliable barrier to the spread of MRSA into the wider hospital.”[4][33]

More recently, dressings incorporating nanocrystalline silver or activated silver-impregnated substances have become available,[1] which deliver higher concentrations of the active silver ion.[12] As of 2006, more "than 10 dressings containing pure silver" were available.[5] In particular, silver is being used with alginate, a naturally occurring biopolymer derived from seaweed, in a range of products designed to prevent infections as part of wound management procedures, particularly applicable to burn victims.[5]

Wound dressings containing silver are increasing in importance due to the increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which has imposed clinical limits on the use of antibiotics. Chopra[34] states topical silver is regaining popularity in the management of open wounds, “due largely to the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the resultant reduction in first-line antibiotic prescribing”, and “[s]ome silver-based dressings appear to provide an effective alternative to antibiotics in the management of wound infection.”[6] Silver has proven broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that includes antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with minimal toxicity toward mammalian cells at low concentrations, and has a less likely tendency than antibiotics to induce resistance due to its activity at multiple bacterial target sites.[6][35][36][37][38]

In medical appliances

The disinfectant properties of silver are used in some other medical applications, such as catheters and endotracheal breathing tubes.[41][42] A study on the use of silver-alloy catheters by the University of Michigan School of Medicine concluded “The data supporting the use of silver alloy urinary catheters to reduce urinary catheter-related bacteriuria is reasonably strong.”[7] The study also concluded silver alloy catheters are more effective than standard catheters for reducing bacteriuria in adults in hospital having short-term catheterization, and, although they cost about $6 more than standard urinary catheters, they may be worth the extra cost, since catheter-related infection is a common cause of nosocomial infection and bacteremia. Related meta-analysis also clarified discrepant results among earlier trials of silver-coated urinary catheters by revealing silver alloy catheters are significantly more effective in preventing urinary tract infections than are silver oxide catheters.[8] These conclusions are supported by, among others, studies by the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium[12] and the University Hospital for Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care, Halle, Germany.[43]

In 2007, AGC Flat Glass Europe introduced the first antibacterial glass to fight hospital-acquired infection; it is covered with a thin layer of silver.[44] Ionizable silver is also incorporated into fabrics to reduce the spread of bacteria.[12]

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) causes substantial morbidity. A 2008 study by Kollef et al. concluded, “Patients receiving a silver-coated endotracheal tube had a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of VAP and delayed time to VAP occurrence compared with those receiving a similar, uncoated tube.”[9] In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved an endotracheal tube with a fine coat of silver for use in mechanical ventilation, after studies found it reduced the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.[10]

The use of these devices is contraindicated for persons who are allergic to silver,[12] and no thorough testing and standardization of these products has yet been undertaken.[6]

Alternative medicine

Since about 1990, there has been a resurgence of the promotion of colloidal silver as an alternative medicine treatment, marketed with claims of it being an essential mineral supplement, or that it can prevent or treat numerous diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and herpes,[17] as well as tuberculosis.[2][18][46] Silver is not an essential mineral in humans; there is no dietary requirement for silver, and no such thing as a silver "deficiency".[2] No medical evidence supports colloidal silver as being effective for any of these claimed indications.[47][48]

The commercial product referred to as "colloidal silver", includes solutions that contain various concentrations of ionic silver compounds, silver colloids or silver compounds bound to proteins in water. Such products with concentrations of 30 parts per million (ppm) or less are typically manufactured using an electrolysis process (EIS or Ionic Silver manufactured using an electrolysis process contains approximately 80 to 90% silver ions and 10 to 20% silver particles.), whereas those with higher concentrations of 50 ppm or more are usually silver compounds that have been bound with a protein. Colloidal silver preparations primarily deliver inactive metallic silver, rather than the active microbicidal silver ion.[49]

Although colloidal silver products are legally available at health food stores in the United States and Australia and are marketed over the Internet as a dietary supplement, it is illegal in the U.S. and Australia for marketers to make claims of medical effectiveness for colloidal silver. Ingestion of colloidal silver may result in argyria.[52][53][54][55][56]

Adverse health effects

According to Lansdown, the risk expected due to clinical exposure to silver is "minimal", as only chronic ingestion or inhalation of silver preparations leads to an accumulation of silver in the human body that can cause argyria, argyrosis (accumulation of silver in the eye), and other conditions.[12] Silver-based products are contraindicated for people who are allergic to silver.[12] The reference dose, published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1991, which recommends the estimated daily exposure that is unlikely to incur a appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime, is 5 µg/kg/d; meaning 5 micrograms of silver per kilo of weight per person each day – about 1 liter of 10 ppm colloidal silver per month for a 145lb person .[17] An article from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine points out silver nitrate and silver sulfadiazine can have negative side effects, and they must be applied to the body externally and not taken internally.[2]

One ppm concentration is the same as 1 milligram (mg.) per liter (3.785mg per gallon) (Example: 10 PPM colloidal silver contains 10 mg of silver in one liter of liquid) (Example: One tsp. of 10 PPM colloidal silver contains 50 micrograms of silver)
The EPA reference dose for a 160 pound adult (the average amount consumed per day in food and water): 364 micrograms per day.
The EPA critical dose for a 160 pound adult (the amount that should not be exceeded in daily consumption): 1.09 milligrams per day
The EPA proposed limit for silver in drinking water is: 0.1 mg per liter ( 0.1 PPM)
The average person consumes approximately 90 mcg. of silver/day in their food (1 gram = 1,000,000 mcg)
The estimated dosage of silver required to trigger an anti-infection response (based on anecdotal reports and other data); is believed to be approximately 1 milligram of silver
The estimated total dosage of silver required to treat serious infections such as LYME disease is: Approximately 18 to 90 milligrams of silver over the period of one month.
The estimated accumulated dosage required to produce argyria is: Approximately one to six grams of silver, depending on the reference cited. Some references state as high as 50 grams.
The estimated single dose lethal quantity of silver is: Approximately ten grams of silver

Keep in mind that Ionic Silver contains approximately 60% less silver particles than "Colloidal" Silver. That reduces the silver particle content to 1.514mg per gallon or 3.28 mg for the more common 20ppm.

This means that in order to consume 1 gram of silver you would have to consume approximately 333 gallons of 20ppm Ionic Silver. Even at that, using Colloidal Silver, you would still have to consume approximately 133 gallons in order to consume 1 gram of silver. In order to consume 50 grams, do the math, it's well over 5,000 gallons.

It seems pretty clear that Argyria is not a big concern.

The chronic intake of silver products and the silver buildup from colloidal silver can result in an accumulation of silver or silver sulfide particles in the hair, skin, kidneys, liver, heart and muscles due to high methionine-containing proteins, such as keratin, myosin, tropomyosin, troponin, and key dipeptide glutathione (EIS or Ionic Silver manufactured using an electrolysis process contains approximately 80 to 90% silver ions and 10 to 20% silver particles and does NOT contain any of these proteins.). Serious neurologic (such as seizures), renal, or hepatic complications, as well as headaches, stomach distress, fatigue, and skin irritation have been reported.[57][58] if ingested, colloidal silver may react with certain drugs, such as Penicillamine, thyroxine, quinolones, and tetracyclines.[59] One death has been reported in the medical literature which the authors "felt" was due to silver toxicity resulting from repeated oral ingestion of colloidal silver.[60]("A 71-year old man developed myoclonic status epilepticus and coma following daily ingestion of one ounce of colloidal silver and various herbal remedies for stage B adenocarcinoma (cancer) of the prostate for a period of 4 months. High levels of silver were found in the plasma, erythrocytes, and cerebrospinal fluid. He remained in a vegetative state and died 5.5 months later despite extensive treatment. Researchers concluded that the neurotoxicity and the resulting death were due to ingestion of colloidal silver." Based on this quote, I surmise that he or someone told them he was taking "Collloidal Silver" and based on their lab work and patient report assumed it was "colloidal silver"and not some other silver compound.) Colloidal silver can reduce the absorption of some medications, including tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics and can bind to penicillamine, thereby reducing the effectiveness of those medications.[16] (This is why it's so very important to know exactly what you're taking. Is it Colloidal or Ionic Silver, or some other silver compound calling itself Colloidal Silver. Make your own EIS to know for sure.)

As in photography (where silver is used due to its reactivity with light), silver particles in the skin darken with exposure to sunlight, resulting in a blue or gray discoloration of the skin. This condition is known as argyria, which is a dermatological condition characterized by grayish-blue pigmentation of the skin, nails, gums, and deep tissues; and, in similar manner, it can lead to silver in the eye (argyrosis) and in other organs.[12] Localized argyria can occur as a result of topical use of substances containing silver, while generalized argyria results from the chronic ingestion of such substances.[57] Argyria was long believed to be irreversible,[49] but recently, laser therapy has been used to treat it with satisfactory cosmetic results.[61][62][63] The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) describes argyria as a "cosmetic problem",[64] although some people consider it to be socially debilitating.[65][66]

Making Colloidal Silver at home

Contrary to popular belief, technically, "Colloidal" Silver cannot be made at home with the machines sold that use the 2 silver rods and an electrical source. This solution is properly known as Ionic Silver or EIS (Electrically Isolated Silver).

Generally speaking, Colloidal Silver contains approximately 10 to 20% silver ions and 80 to 90% silver particles, while Ionic Silver contains approximately 80 to 90% silver ions and 10 to 20% silver particles.

IMHO there is little, if any, difference in efficacy between Colloidal and Ionic Silver other than price and availability.

I believe that Ionic Silver is sold as Colloidal Silver mainly for marketing purposes and just used as a generic term as most people are not familiar with the term Ionic Silver yet. Much like a person might ask for an aspirin, meaning Tylenol, Motrin or any such product that has a similar effect.

I also believe that the main objective of the argument that one is better than the other is more related to “buy mine” and “not yours” than actual efficacy.

The only other real difference that jumps out at me is that you can make Ionic Silver at home for the price of distilled water, which you cannot do with Colloidal Silver and that is not good for Colloidal Silver sales.

Ionic Silver is inexpensive and best of all, recent research has shown that bacteria that has become immune to antibiotics has no immunity to Ionic Silver.

How to Use Colloidal/Ionic Silver

If you are treating an illness taking one ounce four times a day is effective. The normal dosage is anywhere from one teaspoon to one ounce once to twice per day.

The Ionic Silver (EIS) that is made today via the electrolysis method does not cause Argyria. There is NO silver retention with Ionic Silver. As a matter of fact, the silver ions pass quickly out of the body. New evidence and commercial products supports the safety of Ionic Silver (EIS).

If you fear Argyria, note below as stated by the FDA. Your bladder would probably burst long before you could consume enough silver from Colloidal or Ionic Silver to have any adverse effects.

Not 1 single documented case of Argyria that I can find has ever certified that the product being reported on is in fact Colloidal or Ionic Silver other than the claims by the effected. I contend that the product being used was indeed a silver product, such silver chloride or some other silver compound, but NOT Colloidal or Ionic Silver.

Colloidal Silver should be kept in a dark place, and you should always buy and/or store it in a dark, glass bottle.

EPA Reference Dosage:

Dosage per EPA: Per EPA: “Health assessment information on a chemical substance is included in IRIS only after a comprehensive review of chronic toxicity data by U.S. EPA health scientists from several Program Offices and the Office of Research and Development. The summaries presented in Sections I and II represent a consensus reached in the review process. Background information and explanations of the methods used to derive the valuesgiven in IRIS are provided in the Background Documents.”

__I.A.1. Oral RfD Summary

* Conversion Factors: Based on conversion from the total i.v. dose to a total oral dose of 25 g (i.v. dose of 1 g divided by 0.04, assumed oral retention factor; see Furchner et al., 1968 in Additional Comments section) and dividing by 70 kg (adult body weight) and 25,500 days (a lifetime, or 70 years).

Safety Information Related to Nanoscalar-Oligodynamic Silver Ions: 2. Fung, M.C., Bowen, D.L., “Silver Products for Medical Indications: Risk-Benefit Assessment,” Clinical Toxicology, 34(1), 119-126, 1996. LOAEL Threshold

a. “Based on the current Rfd, for a 5 kg infant to a 70 kg adult, the maximal daily "silver" exposure should be less than 25-350 μg/d.”
b. “However, a regular daily diet may contain up to about 90 μg of "silver" as a background level exposure.”

Colloidal Silver safely kills over 650 disease-causing bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and molds, has no negative side-effects (the body requires silver for tissue regeneration and promotes the replacement of specialized cells) and is absolutely safe for human consumption.

No adverse reactions with other medications have been observed. Colloidal silver near a bacterium or single cell pathogen disables its oxygen metabolism enzyme (its chemical lung) and within 6 minutes the pathogen suffocates.

So, why isn't it being used more? When nothing else makes sense, follow the money. Look to the pharmaceutical companies that can neither patent nor profit from Colloidal Silver.

Some of the many uses for Colloidal Silver are:

Add to drinking water when traveling or camping or in emergency situations when clean drinking water is suspect.

Personal care:

Spray hair and body after bathing.
Spray under arms as a deodorant.
Use for gargling to ease throat.
Mouth wash, kills infection causing bacteria.
Clean under nails, in ears and navel with a soaked Q–tip.
Wipe hearing aids and eyeglass frames.
Spray contact lenses.
Eye drops
bathroom:
Sterilize tooth brushes.
Soak dentures.
Add to bath water, douches and colonics.
Add to dental Water–Pik.
Soak/spray combs, brushes and loofas.
Spray bath and shower mats.
Spray on cosmetics.

Kitchen:

Spray on surface of or add a few drops to leftovers and condiments before storing in refrigerator.
Rinse or spray vegetables, fruits, grains and meats before using or storing.
When canning, add ½ tsp per quart.
Spray or rinse sprouts.
Spray storage area, interior of refrigerator, lunch kits, garbage containers.
Spray cutting boards, sponges and dish cloths.
Add to dishwater.

Household Cleaning:

Add to cleaning solutions.
Wipe telephone mouthpieces and head phones.
Spray furnace and air conditioning filters after cleaning.
Wipe air ducts and vents.
Rinse toilet seats and bowls, sinks, tiling and doorknobs.
Spray carpets, drapes, mattresses, furniture and window sills.

First–Aid:

Spray on band–aids.
Spray on razor cuts.
Spray on pimples.
Spray between toes, in groin or any area that itches.

Pets:

Use in bath water.
Feed directly by dropper or add to water dish.

Clothes:

Spray in shoes.
Mist clothes before storing.
Spray in gloves.
Spray on watch bands.
Add to rinse water of laundry— especially for diapers.

Plants:

Water and spray plants to stimulate growth and kills insect eggs..

Recreation:

Add to picnic foods containing mayonnaise to prevent food poisoning. Keep covered and cool as well!
Add to pools, hot tubs and foot baths.
Add to children's paste and paint pots.

Reference: "A Few Unique Plus Traditional Uses for Silver Colloid," Robert C. Beck, Explore! Vol. 7 No. 2, 1996.

Check out the many uses of Ionic Silver and see how you can replace
your regular toxic chemical and drug-based product with this SAFE alternative!!!

Still More Uses For Ionic Silver

The following is a general list of uses for Ionic Silver.
Since it is totally safe at almost any dose, its potential uses are unlimited.

A few uses are suggested here:

•	Add to suspected drinking water when traveling or camping.	•	Silver-sprayed burns heal rapidly without scarring.
•	Safely sterilize anything from toothbrushes to surgical instruments.	•	Use topically on cuts, wounds, abrasions, rashes, sunburn, razor nicks and bandages.
•	Treat pools, fountains, humidifiers, Jacuzzis, hot tubs, baths, dish-washers, re-circulating cooling tower water, gymnasium foot dips, and bath and shower mats.	•	Mist kitchen sponges, towels, cutting boards to eliminate E. Coli and salmonella bacteria to prevent food poisoning, gastrointestinal inflammation, and genital tract infections.
•	Add when canning, preserving or bottling.	•	Use like peroxide on zits and acne
•	Add to juices and milk to prevent spoiling, fermenting, deteriorating, clabbering or curdling.	•	Spray in shoes, between toes, between legs to stop most skin itch, athletes foot, fungi, jock itch.
•	Cuts downtime dramatically from colds, flu, pneumonia, staph, strep, respiratory infections and rhino viruses.	•	Add to bath water, gargle, douches, colon irrigation, nasal spray and dental water-pic solutions.
•	Diminish dandruff, psoriasis, skin rashes, etc.	•	Spray on body after bathing.
•	Skin itch, eye and ear infections, warts and some moles vanish (put on band aid and wear overnight each night until gone).	•	Use with Q-tips on fingernail, toenail, and ear fungi.
•	Neutralize tooth decay and bad breath. Silver stops halitosis by eliminating bacteria deep in throat and on back of tongue.	•	Unlike pharmaceutical antibiotics, Ionic Silver never permits strain-resistant pathogens to evolve
•	Put a on bandaids and bandages to shorten healing times	•	Health professionals might consider IV and IM injections.
•	Mix in postage stamp, envelope, and tape moistening wells, paint and paste pots to prevent bacterial growth,odors, spoiling or souring.	•	Tumor and polyp shrinking is reported when masses are injected directly (when silver is added to sterile physiological saline or Ringer's Solution that contains 9000 ppm sodium chloride).
•	Soak dentures.	•	Spray refrigerator, freezer and food storage bin interiors.
•	Add to water based paints, wallpaper paste, dishwater, cleaning and mopping solutions, etc.	•	Toothaches, mouth sores, bacterial irritations are diminished.
•	Stop mildew and wood rot.	•	Spray pet bedding and let dry.
•	Mix a little in pet water, birdbaths, cut flower vases. Always add to swamp cooler water.	•	Spray on top of contents of opened jam, jelly, and condiment containers and inside lids before replacing
•	Spray air conditioner filters after cleaning.	•	Swab air ducts and vents to prevent breeding sites for germs.
•	Use routinely in laundry final rinse water and always before packing away seasonal clothes.	•	Damp clothes or towels and washcloths will not sour or mildew
•	Eliminate unwanted microorganisms in planter soils and hydroponics systems.	•	Spray plant foliage to stop fungi, molds, rot, and most plant diseases
•	Spray on garbage to prevent decay odors.	•	Spray inside shoes, watch bands and gloves and under fingernails periodically.
•	Treat shower stalls, tubs, fonts, animal watering troughs, shavers to avoid trading germs.	•	Rinse fruit and vegetables before storing or using.
•	Put in cooking water.	•	Add to human and animal shampoos and they become disinfectants.
•	Prevent carpets, drapes and wallpaper from mildewing.	•	Wipe telephone mouthpieces, pipe stems, headphones, hearing aids, eyeglass frames, hairbrushes, combs, loofas.
•	Excellent for diapers and diaper rash.	•	Do toilet seats, bowls, tile floors, sinks, urinals, door knobs.
•	Kills persistent odors.	•	Rinse invalid's pillowcases, sheets, towels and bedclothes.

There are literally thousands of other essential uses for this ridiculously inexpensive, odorless, nearly tasteless and colorless, totally benign and powerful, non-toxic disinfectant and healing agent.

You'll find that a spray or misting bottle of Ionic Silver solution may be the most useful health enhancement tool in your environment.

Originally posted by TRUEIONCS