Colloidal+Silver

=) A shiny way to reduce the health of your bank account

=Introduction **<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3** = Silver as a treatment against infection goes as far back as Hippocrates. It is well known that silver (like many other precious metals) can interfere with bacteria's ability to make proteins. This gives it antibiotic properties that are understood and have been used in the past as an antiseptic for surgical equipment and dressings. Colloidal silver is a mineral form of silver that can either be taken in the form of drops or applied directly to the skin.

=Claims = Around the early 199o's proponents of colloidal silver started selling it as a wonder drug. They claim that a daily regimen of colloidal silver can cure a diverse set of problems. Some maladies that colloidal silver is claimed to fix are:
 * Acne
 * Burn scars
 * Pneumonia
 * Yeast infections
 * Syphilis
 * Psoriasis
 * HIV/AIDS
 * Cancer

=The Evidence = The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to find sufficient evidence that colloidal silver works as a treatment for any disease. There is limited evidence that applying colloidal silver to the corneas may help prevent eye infections in newborns, but that evidence is shaky at best. Unfortunately, it is also likely an unsafe supplement since silver will be deposited in the bodies tissues and isn't eliminated. This can cause discoloration and cell damage. Colloidal silver has also been linked to birth defects. The FDA has issued many warning letters to companies that are selling colloidal silver to back off of their claims that it cures disease.

=The Cost = <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">A quick survey of amazon.com found a large quantity of colloidal silver products being sold. They all make similar claims based on purity. It is interesting that I had a hard time finding any overt claims to cure disease on amazon. Most products sold for around $20.00 a bottle.

=<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">References =

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Asare, N., Instanes, C., Sandberg, W. J., Refsnes, M., Schwarze, P., Kruszewski, M., & Brunborg, G. (2012). Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles in testicular cells. Toxicology, 291(1), 65-72.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Colloidal Silver: Risk Without Benefit. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2016, from http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/silverad.html

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">COLLOIDAL SILVER: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-779-colloidal silver.aspx?activeingredientid=779

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Medical uses of silver. (2016, August 24). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:35, September 19, 2016, from[]