Ivan, The entire issue of how colloidal silver is absorbed by the body has never been resolved to our satisfaction. If there exists any scientific studies, we have not been able to locate them.
We have seen many theories put forth without the slightest shred of scientific evidence to support them. For the reasons stated above, we plan to develop a test protocol to ascertain the concentration of at least three forms of silver in the blood stream after introducing silver to the body. Proposed test protocol. The silver introduced will of two types: 1. a solution whose silver content is entirely ionic. 2. a colloid whose silver content is entirely particles of a known size (i.e. less than 15 nm) The means of introduction will be at least two or possible three types: 1. Ingestion 2. Nebulization and inhalation 3. IV The three forms of silver we will look for are: 1. Silver chloride 2. Silver ions 3. Silver particles The time intervals over which blood samples are taken is yet to be determined, but could be as frequently as every 15 minutes after introduction for a period up to 24 hours. Thereafter, additional samples will be taken as indicated by the data (i.e. no more samples after levels drop to background). The above is an outline of what the test protocol may look like. This is only to provide an idea of the type of test that we think is needed to ascertain in what form the silver is circulating in the blood stream and for how long after introduction. This is by no means a comprehensive and exhaustive study, but only a point of beginning to understand the mechanisms. Current thinking... While we do not claim to have any scientific proof other than the applicable chemistry, our current thinking is as follows: 1. Silver ions cannot exist in the human body at concentrations above 1x10^-4 ppm for more than the briefest instant. a. If ingested, ionic silver will, within seconds, precipitate to silver chloride in the stomach due to the chloride ions available in the hydrochloric acid of the stomach. The silver chloride molecules are large and will not be absorbed, but passed as waste. Silver particles that are sufficiently small will be absorbed and circulate in the blood stream. b. If inhaled or introduced directly to the blood stream, ionic silver will within seconds precipitate to silver chloride due to the contribution of chloride ions in the blood serum (potassium chloride supplies the chloride ions in the serum). The chloride level in serum is about 3500 ppm, which would allow silver ions to exist at 1x10^-4 ppm which is insignificant. The large silver chloride molecules will be filtered from the blood stream by the kidneys and passed. c. The silver particles that make it into the blood stream do not necessarily retain the negative zeta potential they had while in the colloid and are most likely without charge altogether. 2. Due to 1a & 1b above, we conclude that the particles are the effective ingredient in colloidal silver while the ions combine to form silver chloride and are eliminated as waste from the body. 3. While it is true that ions are more reactive than particles, it is also true that the reactive nature of particles increases as particle size decreases. The reactivity of particles is a function of their aggregate surface area. The finer the particle the higher the aggregate surface area. For that reason 10 nm particles are significantly more reactive than 30 nm particles. Therefore, real benefit can be achieved by reducing the particle size. There is a practical lower limit to the size of particle that can be sustained in a colloid due to Van der Waals forces of attraction which increase dramatically as the particles sizes get below 10 nm. Since the Van der Waals forces are countered by electrostatic repulsion of much lesser means, producing particles smaller than about 10 nm becomes increasingly difficult. Regardless of what has appeared in product hype, the particle size of most commercially produced cs products as measured by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS) is generally in the range of 30 nm to 90 nm, with some much larger and a few a little smaller. Those who like Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images should be reminded that particle size distribution can not be measured by a TEM. However, they do make pretty pictures for promotional material and are otherwise wonderful toys. A technical paper devoted entirely to particle size characterization of colloidal silver is planned, and we have completed research on several related subjects which we intend publish in the future. The test protocol described above is intended to add to our understanding, it may prove or disprove our current thinking. We hope this explains our thoughts on some of the issues that were not addressed in the paper. The scientific community is invited to review our proposal for a test protocol and provide constructive input. frank key > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Frank Key" <[email protected]> > > Frank, > Sorry, I should have realised you were the author! > I would have been a little more circumspect in my post, had I > realised... I certainly > do respect your efforts and would hate you to think I am not grateful at > being able to discuss these matters with you. > > You have saved me some time however, as I do not need to edit the draft > letter I have written to you. > > Rather than discuss the points you raise regarding the detail of > solutions and colloids, it may be just as well to begin at the end > result and work backwards, if required. > > To this end, one needs to establish how silver is absorbed into the body > which, after all, is a requisite for any therapeutic value. This > question was the one you failed to address in my original message, but > is the most important detail of all, as an answer to this question > dictates in what form silver would be best delivered in. > > It is my understanding that few metals, if any, are absorbed by the > intestinal mucosa in the elemental form, indeed metals must be in the > form of ions (usually as a salt or attached to organics) in order to > become involved with the active transporters which envelope them and > carry them across the cell membranes of the villi lining the digestive > tract. > > Yes, silver ions will complex in the stomach to form the sparingly > soluble silver chloride salt. Never the less, it is in this form that > the silver will be sequestered by the metal ion transporters to > eventually find its way to the blood stream, where it will form bonds > with plasma proteins and chloride ions. These bonds will be exchanged > however, for sulphydral groups (found in large numbers on the cell walls > of bacteria and other pathogens) and other molecules for which silver > has a greater affinity. > > Any elemental particles which remain un-ionised in the digestive tract > are likely to continue unabsorbed and be eventually excreted. > > I believe this to be representative of the bioavailability of silver and > other metals, but if you have information which points in a different > direction, please expand. > > The only reason, in my view, not to generate silver chloride from the > outset is that silver chloride is not very stable and is light > sensitive. Clear 'colloidal silver' which contains a high percentage of > silver ions is extremely stable on the other hand. (I personally use a > silver selective electrode and employ another lab to perform > complementary AA tests) > > In order to disable pathogens silver must be able to react with them and > It is quite obvious that silver ions are more reactive than elemental > silver particles...perhaps we should turn our attention to producing > divalent silver ions... > > Regards > Ivan. > -- The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver. To join or quit silver-list or silver-digest send an e-mail message to: [email protected] -or- [email protected] with the word subscribe or unsubscribe in the SUBJECT line. To post, address your message to: [email protected] Silver-list archive: http://escribe.com/health/thesilverlist/index.html List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
