Page 18 Healthy Cells Magazine Peoria July 2014

Debating the Future of Silver Water

By Tim Rosenberger
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 supple-
ment 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 Phar-
macy, 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, Id like to see more research done on it, Robins says.
Despite the minerals positive applications, safety is a top prior-
ity 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
good or bad?
F
or 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 dan-
gers 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 contain-
ing 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
July 2014 Peoria Healthy Cells Magazine Page 19
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 col-
loidal 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 Medicines (NCCAM) website reported that some cases
have involved problems with the liver, kidney, and nervous system.
The substance may also hinder the bodys 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 FDAs website stated.
In addition to the FDA and the NCCAM, the Center for Disease
Control has issued similar statements regarding colloidal silvers
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 sub-
ject 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.
Id like the questions to finally be answered, Robins says. Im
worried some people are going to be harmed by misusing it, and
so, what Id 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 Well-
ness 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!
Photo credit: Jupiterimages/Thinkstock
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