|
Posted by: The mom on 2009-07-01, 20:03:38
The short answer is, it doesn't work like the makers claim. Colloidal silver is a stable suspension of submicroscopic bits of silver usually in water. Colloidal is a chemistry term that just means the bits are evenly distributed through the liquid. Milk is a collodial suspension, in the same manner. As far as the benefits, those are dubious at best. What is at risk is the chance of developing argyria, a condition in which silver salts deposit in the skin, eyes, and internal organs, and the skin turns ashen-gray. Many cases of argyria occurred during the pre-antibiotic era when silver was a common ingredient in nosedrops. When the cause became apparent, doctors stopped recommending their use, and reputable manufacturers stopped producing them. The FDA forbids them to be sold as medicine, which is why they are now sold as dietary supplements. That lets them fly through a loophole, and means they are subject to almost no controls. As a result, the amount of actual silver in the product will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and batch to batch. Some of them add a preservative to the water, and some don't. Those that don't tend to be found contaminated with bacteria you wouldn't like to have- which kind of flies in the face of the claims that it will kill bacteria. Silver does kill bacteria, yes. But the concentrations required to do that also put you at higher risk for developing the argyria. Nobody can tell you what concentration will do the trick for you either, they won't know that until you turn grey. Then of course, it's a bit late. The Roman doctors used a lot of things to treat their patients which you would find of dubious value at best. One of the cures involved crushed burnt deer antlers, goat manure and ass blood mixed in wine, to cure jaundice. They also used mercury to treat what you would know as syphillis. It works, yes- but it's pretty dangerous, and penicillin is a lot easier and safer. While the Romans are famous for many things, medical treatment was not one of them. Unlike gold, silver can actually be toxic to the body, which is why it is not used for it's antibiotic properties. Since the dangers far outweigh the benefits, you wouldn't want to take it. It has no health benefits that are worth the risk. And just because the ancient Romans may have used it is not a good arguement. Had they had access to modern medicine, you can bet your bippy they'd have used it. The Romans were great believers in results, rather than the source of the remedy. |
