Silver: it makes for nice jewelry, fancy forks, and even parts of the device you’re using to read this article. But would you put it in your mouth and swallow it? Some people do, claiming that silver in the form of colloidal supplements is the answer to all manner of ills. Trouble is, it really isn’t – and it might even end up with someone looking like a budget Silver Surfer.
What are colloidal silver supplements?
Colloidal silver is a liquid that contains tiny particles of suspended silver, designed to be taken as an oral dietary supplement and often presented as something of a cure-all. It’s been claimed that it can be used to prevent, treat, or even cure everything from COVID-19, shingles, and acne, through to HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and cancer.
Do colloidal silver supplements have any benefits?
We won’t beat around the bush – there is no solid scientific evidence to support any of the health claims made about oral colloidal silver supplements. Unlike other metals like iron, sodium, or potassium, silver isn’t an essential mineral and has no known functions or benefits in the human body.
One reason why these supplements might continue to be popular, however, is that silver does have provable benefits when used topically: it’s antimicrobial. Prior to the advent of antibiotics, the application of silver to wounds was commonly used to prevent and treat infections, and it’s still used in some dressings (though only in specific medical circumstances) today.
In fact, people are thought to have been using silver in this way (and orally) as far back as 4000 BCE – but a long history and solid evidence for topical applications can’t be extrapolated to mean that colloidal silver supplements are effective.
Making such claims doesn’t come without consequences either. Back in 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to multiple companies over claims that their silver-containing products could be used to prevent or treat COVID-19. Not only did these claims have no scientific basis, but legally, these companies had presented their colloidal silver products not as dietary supplements, but as new drugs – ones that the FDA definitely didn’t approve.
Are colloidal silver supplements safe?
The FDA has also warned that colloidal silver supplements aren’t just ineffective – they’re also not safe to use. Silver might not have any uses in the body, but it can still build up in it, and that can have side effects.
One potential outcome is argyria, a condition characterized by bluish-gray to slate-gray skin discoloration, which is usually permanent. This isn’t thought to involve any major health problems, though we’d still argue it’s not really worth it to look like a dollar-store Papa Smurf.
It also doesn’t mean that colloidal silver supplements can’t cause any other damage at all. In some cases, their use can end up leading to issues in the kidneys, liver, or nervous system. Silver can also interact with certain medications – including some antibiotics and drugs to treat an underactive thyroid – and make them less effective, which can be dangerous.
The bottom line? If you’ve got a health problem, the best thing to do is speak to a healthcare professional – they’ll be able to help you with a course of treatment that won’t end up with you looking like Violet Beauregarde at the end of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added to at a later date to keep information current.
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Source Link: People Are Taking Colloidal Silver Supplements – Do They Actually Have Any Benefits?
