How to Choose the Best Colloidal Silver with 2 Simple Tests
Nanoparticles are known to behave differently than their bulk material counterparts. Tiny metal particles are demonstrating the potential for greater use in medicine. For one, silver nanoparticles are used for killing bacteria and viruses. Therefore, preventing infection. Silver nanoparticles have also been incorporated in products across industries to effectively stop the growth of harmful microorganisms.
Benefits have been attributed to the unique physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles. As the use of this new technology accelerated, human exposure also increased significantly. Oral ingestion in the form of supplements has also become widespread. However, safety and toxicity standards remain unavailable. That’s why it’s important to know how to choose the best colloidal silver if you intend to use one.
You need to know what to look for in colloidal silver if you are planning to use it.
What form should colloidal silver be?
Silver is available in different forms. When supplementing with silver, form should be a top consideration. Each type is absorbed by the body in different ways.
When it comes to silver supplements, only coated colloidal silver should be considered. Other compounds of silver, including uncoated colloidal silver and silver hydrosol (ionic silver) should arouse suspicion. How silver nanoparticles are produced, delivered in a liquid solution, and stored all impact the quality of a silver supplement brand. Therefore, not even colloidal silvers can be expected to perform uniformly.*
What makes colloidal silver safer and more effective?
Colloidal silver delivers clusters of silver atoms. While the charge of these is neutral, they have a toxic effect on pathogens. Despite this, colloidal silver exhibits low toxicity in humans, due mostly to its neutral charge, non-reactive nature, and controlled and gradual release of silver in the body. [1][2]*
In contrast, ionic silver consists of tiny particles of positively-charged silver ions which are highly reactive. As such, these may cause random reactions that result in adverse effects to health and wellness.*
Listed below are the advantages of colloidal silver vs. silver ions:
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- Colloidal silver can effectively penetrate the body down to the cellular level while staying intact. By being intact, it is highly targeted. Also, it does not randomly get absorbed into tissues. Neither does it bind with proteins nor react with other elements in the body as it makes its way to reach the cell. In contrast, ultra-small silver ions and other larger molecules of silver do not stay intact and are highly reactive.[3]*
Colloidal silver particles remain intact even when they enter the cells in our bodies.
- By being intact and targeted, colloidal silver is also more effective and stable than silver ions. It is not easily converted into other compounds or by-products. In contrast, silver ions exhibit highly unpredictable behavior. Among other things, this may be explained by its highly variable size distribution [4].*
- Researchers studied ionic silver (silver acetate) and silver nanoparticles (AgNP). They observed how these are deposited and distributed inside the body. The structure and toxicity of these two forms of silver were also examined. After 13 weeks of administering these forms of silver to rats, vital organs were observed.
AgNP (10nm in size) did not cause significant differences in the weight of the internal organs vs. the control group. Researchers also found a very low concentration of silver in the kidneys, liver, lymph nodes, and small and large intestines. There was also no sign that pigmentation caused lesions (which can lead to cancers) in these organs. [3]
5 ml
83 drops
20000 PPM
15 ml
250 drops
20000 PPM
30 ml
500 drops
20000 PPM
Do all colloidal silver have the same characteristics?
Not all colloidal silver supplements demonstrate the same properties either.
A study was done on various brands of commercially-available silver supplements. The researchers set out to investigate advertising claims made about colloidal silver. The researchers pointed out that brand claims are inconsistent with the expected physical appearance of colloidal silver. Some of the brands studied were inconsistent with the physical characteristics of colloidal silver. [5]
Listed below are four of the most desirable characteristics of a colloidal silver supplement. These are based on the best available evidence.*
- Small size. Coated Silver delivers 10nm AgNP. Smaller silver nanoparticles occupy a larger surface area. Thus, these are capable of penetrating down to the cellular level more easily. Smaller nanoparticles have the capacity to modulate immune function and regulate inflammation. This mechanism of action of silver nanoparticles prevents the body from attacking itself. Uncoated silver, however, can get stuck inside the body and may cause side effects. That’s why only coated colloidal silver should be ingested.*
However, silver products like silver hydrosol (ionic silver) which claim to have 0.5 to 0.7 particle size are not colloidal. These are ionic which are highly reactive and could be toxic to cells. In contrast, larger silver particles, that is, over 30nm, trigger a surge of antibody reactions which can be toxic to cells. These can also get stuck in the kidneys, liver, and other internal organs which can build up and cause health problems later. [6]*
That is why it is recommended only taking coated colloidal silver.
- Uniform size. Coated Silver has been proven to deliver between 10nm to 12nm of nanosilver with great consistency [5]. Consistent particle size must also be a top consideration. The consistency of small nanoparticles contributes to greater stability and better predictability of interaction with the body.*
Companies claiming a certain size and uniformity should provide a comprehensive certificate of analysis with UV-Vis, FESEM and TEM analysis of their colloidal silver product.
Companies making colloidal silver emphasizing the size and particle uniformity should provide a UV-VIS, FESEM, and TEM certificate for the product.
- Concentration. The amount of silver present in a solution also affects its potency. The amount of silver suspended in a solution is typically measured in parts per million. Only Coated Silver delivers nanosilver particles at 20,000 ppm. That means you get more of the good stuff for every drop. Most of its competitors offer silver at 250ppm. This means that these are highly diluted forms, prompting higher dosage to obtain the same effect.*
Coated Silver can be diluted down to achieve any lower concentration (ppm). As needed, it can be taken at a higher or lower dosage. This makes Coated Silver the more practical and economical choice.
- Coated colloidal silver. Compared to uncoated or bare silver nanoparticles, Coated Silver is stable as it moves inside the body. It gradually and consistently releases Ag+ ions in the body over a longer period of time. This equates to enhanced safety. In contrast, silver ions are made up of larger molecules of silver. Because of this, they have a tendency to deliver effects within shorter periods of time. Fast release overwhelms the body and likely to be toxic. [7]*
How to test colloidal silver yourself?
Since Myths About Colloidal Silver are profound and widely circulated, it will be good for you to take note of some of the easily identifiable characteristics of silver.
Here are two simple tests that you can use on how to choose the best colloidal silver:
- True colloidal silver will appear yellowish or dark brown in color. Many marketers of fake or low-quality colloidal silver will claim that colorless appearance is a sign that it is pure. Well, now you know that such products are only trying to deceive you.
- Shining a laser light with colloidal silver diluted in water showing through a transparent glass will create a straight line. To test coated silver all you need is just 1 drop in 50 ml of water to verify this effect. This is because colloidal silver consists of fine particles that do not create a cloudy mixture even when suspended in water. The opposite is true for silver ions.
Remember to stay safe and smart when shopping for a colloidal silver supplement. Ask as many questions as you need to and fight out everything you can before putting any of these supplements inside your body.
For your peace of mind, check out Coated Silver and see the difference yourself.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Coated SilverⓇ site.
- Zhang S, Du C, Wang Z, Han X, Zhang K, Liu L. Reduced cytotoxicity of silver ions to mammalian cells at high concentration due to the formation of silver chloride. Toxicol In Vitro. 2013;27(2):739-744. doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2012.12.003.
- Rai M, Deshmukh SD, Ingle AP, Gupta IR, Galdiero M, Galdiero S. Metal nanoparticles: The protective nanoshield against virus infection. Crit Rev Microbiol. 2016;42(1):46-56. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2013.879849.
- Boudreau MD, Imam MS, Paredes AM, et al. Differential Effects of Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Ions on Tissue Accumulation, Distribution, and Toxicity in the Sprague Dawley Rat Following Daily Oral Gavage Administration for 13 Weeks. Toxicol Sci. 2016;150(1):131-160. doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfv318.
- Keat, C.L., Aziz, A., Eid, A.M. et al. Biosynthesis of nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles. Bioresour. Bioprocess. 2, 47 (2015).
- Kumar A, Goia DV. Comparative Analysis of Commercial Colloidal Silver Products. Int J Nanomedicine. 2020;15:10425-10434.
- Ninan N, Goswami N, Vasilev K. The Impact of Engineered Silver Nanomaterials on the Immune System. Nanomaterials 2020, 10 (5) , 967.
- Akter M, Sikder MT, Rahman MM, et al. A systematic review on silver nanoparticles-induced cytotoxicity: Physicochemical properties and perspectives. J Adv Res. 2017;9:1-16. Published 2017 Nov 2. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2017.10.008.
