Exploring the Potential Benefits and Risks of Colloidal Silver: An Overview

[Aero51]

Good evening, I just have a quick question regarding the potential uses of colloidal silver as a cure for many types of pathogens. It is my understanding that colloidal silver can kill about 600 different types of bacteria/viruses based on many in-vitro studies. Despite its potential benefits, colloidal silver can cause argyria and kidney damage if it is not totally flushed out of the body. Cases of argyria and kidney damage as a result of colloidal silver intake tend to not occur unless a significant quantity is consumed. Obviously, CS should not be used on a regular basis.

This leads me to the point of this thread: How come colloidal silver has not been tested for use in cases where people acquire rare and potent diseases, such as flesh eating bacteria or HIV? It seems like having your skin turn blue is a small price to pay for preventing an amputation or death.

Here are some resources I used:
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/30564-one-step-beyond-argyria-video.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_uses_of_silver

 

[mazinse]

Maybe the fact that silver being a heavy metal leading toxic effects damaging liver and kidney enough to prevent marketing such product

 

[Aero51]

The problem is that virtually no studies have been conducted in-vivo, even on mice. Its a shame that these avenues of medicine are not being explored. Even if a potential antidote is proven to be a failure, at least someone tried.

 

[Andy Resnick]

Good evening, I just have a quick question regarding the potential uses of colloidal silver as a cure for many types of pathogens. <snip>

Apparently silver is used to combat MSRA:

http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/content/59/4/587

and preliminary work with HIV:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21812950

and heavily contaminated wounds:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22584529

 

[LudusRex]

I appreciate your interest in exploring the potential uses of colloidal silver as a cure for various pathogens. It is true that there have been in-vitro studies showing that colloidal silver can kill a wide range of bacteria and viruses. However, it is important to note that these studies were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting and may not necessarily reflect the same results in the human body.

Furthermore, while colloidal silver may have potential benefits, it is also important to consider the potential risks associated with its use. As you mentioned, one of the main concerns is the development of argyria, a condition where the skin turns blue due to the accumulation of silver particles. This is a result of long-term or excessive use of colloidal silver, and while it may seem like a small price to pay for preventing a serious disease, it is still a significant risk to consider.

In addition, there have been cases of kidney damage associated with colloidal silver use, which can also be a serious concern. It is important to remember that even though a substance may have potential benefits, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate and understand the potential risks before using it as a treatment.

As for why colloidal silver has not been tested for use in cases of rare and potent diseases, there are a few reasons. Firstly, it is important to follow proper research protocols and ethical guidelines when conducting studies on human subjects. Any potential risks must be fully disclosed and informed consent must be obtained from participants. In the case of colloidal silver, the potential risks may outweigh the potential benefits, making it difficult to obtain approval for such studies.

Additionally, there may be other effective treatments available for these rare and potent diseases, making it unnecessary to explore the use of colloidal silver. It is always important to consider all available options and weigh the potential risks and benefits before deciding on a treatment plan.

In conclusion, while colloidal silver may have potential benefits in killing certain pathogens, it is important to thoroughly evaluate and understand the potential risks associated with its use. As scientists, it is our responsibility to conduct thorough research and make informed decisions when it comes to using substances as treatments for diseases.