The link you sent said not found. This is what I found at Sloan-Kettering
( http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69189.cfm ) , not exactly what I wanted to hear. Pat Common Name Silver Proteins, Colloidal Silver Proteins, Colloidal Silver Water top ________________________________ Clinical Summary Colloidal silver consists of silver particles suspended in a liquid. It is often produced by home-made generators. The use of silver medicinals to treat disorders such as epilepsy, gonorrhea, and colds was not uncommon until the mid-20th century. However, silver was replaced by safer therapies in the recent decades. While silver compounds are still used in external preparations as antiseptics, there has been a growing interest in using the collodial form of silver orally as an alternative medicine. Although no human clinical data support the use of oral colloidal silver, it is being promoted as a cure for AIDS, cancer, and diabetes. Silver is not an essential mineral and does not serve any physiological function in the body. It actually denatures proteins by binding to their reactive groups. It can inactivate some enzymes by forming hemisilver sulfides with sulfhydryl groups of the enzymes (1). Silver when taken orally can interact with and reduce the effectiveness of tetracycline, quinolone, and penicillamine. Long term use can cause silver deposition in the skin and mucous membranes leading to an irreversible condition called argyria, characterized by bluish-gray to gray-black pigmentation (2) (3). Other adverse effects include seizures (6) and kidney damage. Pregnant women should not consume colloidal silver as it can cause developmental abnormalities in the fetus (1). top ________________________________ Purported uses * AIDS * Cancer treatment * Diabetes * Immunostimulation * Infections top ________________________________ Constituents * Silver particles suspended in liquid. top ________________________________ Mechanism of Action Silver is unstable in suspension form and can bind to proteins. Silver compounds form hemisilver sulfides with sulfhydryl groups that leads to inactivation of enzymes. Silver also has the ability to bind amino, carboxyl, phosphate and imidazole groups (1). Studies have shown that silver accumulates in rat liver and binds with various tissues and basal membranes. It also affects the activities of lactate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase and the peroxidation of membrane lipids (4). top ________________________________ Pharmacokinetics Approximately 10% of silver salts may be absorbed following ingestion, with increased absorption from ruptured mucus membranes and skin wounds. The half-life varies from several days to months but silver deposited in the skin has a much longer half-life. It is excreted into the bile and eliminated in the feces (1). top ________________________________ Warnings The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared that all over-the-counter drugs containing colloidal silver are not recognized as safe and effective and are misbranded (7). The FDA has also recently issued letters to website operators of colloidal silver warning them that it is illegal to promote such products online (8). top ________________________________ Contraindications Pregnant women should not use colloidal silver as it can cause developmental abnormalities in the fetus (1). top ________________________________ Adverse Reactions Reported (Oral): Accumulation of silver in the body causes argyria, a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin, which is untreatable. Other effects include seizures and kidney damage. Reported (Topical): Topical use of silver nitrate for burns may cause methemoglobinemia. Exposure to high concentrations of silver, such as in an industrial setting, leads to systemic toxicity (1) (5). top ________________________________ Herb-Drug Interactions * Antibiotics: Colloidal silver can reduce the bioavailability of antibiotics such as tetracycline and quinolone. * Penicillamine: Colloidal silver can reduce the effectiveness of drugs such as penicillamine by binding to the drug. top ________________________________ Literature Summary and Critique No human studies have been conducted to test the medicinal effects of colloidal silver. There are a few case reports on its toxicity. McKenna JK, et al Argyria associated with colloidal silver supplementation. Int J Dermatol 2003; 42(7):549. A 65-year old male developed skin discoloration but had no other symptoms. He had consumed colloidal silver supplements for two years for treatment of diabetes. The discoloration was limited to fingernails but could not be treated by depigmenting creams or chelation. The patient was advised to use sunscreens to prevent further pigmentary changes. Gulbranson SH, Hud JA, Hansen RC. Argyria following the use of dietary supplements containing colloidal silver protein. Cutis 2000; 66(5):373-374. A 56-year old man developed bluish discoloration of fingernails (argyria) following consumption of colloidal silver for cold and allergy for 3 years. There was no improvement in the appearance of fingernails 3 months after the patient stopped consuming colloidal silver. He was advised to avoid sun exposure to prevent further discoloration. Mirsattari SM, et al. Myoclonic status epilepticus following repeated oral ingestion of colloidal silver. Neurology 2004;62:1408-10. A 71-year old man developed myoclonic status epilepticus and coma following daily ingestion of one ounce of colloidal silver and various herbal remedies for stage B adenocarcinoma of the prostate for a period of 4 months. High levels of silver were found in the plasma, erythrocytes, and cerebrospinal fluid. He remained in a vegetative state and died 5.5 months later despite extensive treatment. Researchers concluded that the neurotoxicity and the resulting death were due to ingestion of colloidal silver. -- The Silver List is a moderated forum for discussing Colloidal Silver. Instructions for unsubscribing are posted at: http://silverlist.org To post, address your message to: [email protected] Address Off-Topic messages to: [email protected] The Silver List and Off Topic List archives are currently down... List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
