Risks and Benefits of Nanosilver – However, silver has been shown to be a very powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent – I am often asked about silver as a health supplement. I’ve been reluctant to endorse widespread use of silver because it is a reactive metal – Risks Benefits Nanosilver - Arhive

I am often asked about silver as a health supplement. I’ve been reluctant to endorse widespread use of silver because it is a reactive metal, and it can accumulate in the brain.

However, silver has been shown to be a very powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent. Most important, organisms cannot develop resistance to its antimicrobial effect, as they do in the case of pharmaceutical medications, for which emerging resistance is a major problem.

Unfortunately, there are very few studies on the possible toxic effects of silver on the nervous system and cell function. But I suspect that toxicity will be found.

In my opinion, long-term use of oral solutions of silver should be discouraged. Short-term use — say, for a few days — in small doses probably would not be that harmful.

One such use would be for treating MERSA, the so-called flesh-eating bacteria. Because this is a deadly, mutilating infection, it warrants the small risk of silver toxicity.

Topical use of silver is most likely safe. In fact, I use it regularly for skin infections, small cuts, and other skin lesions.

Several years ago colloidal silver was all the rage. Now, it’s nanosilver — silver that contains nanosize particles.

What is the difference between colloidal silver and nanosilver?

Because of its extremely small particle size, nanosilver is much more reactive than colloidal silver or normal silver.

It has more surface area exposure than ordinary silver or colloidal silver — that translates into a more powerful antimicrobial benefits.

This means that when a small amount of nanosilver gel is applied to a boil or sore, it can kill many more harmful microorganisms than either antibiotics or ordinary silver — even when it is used in much lower concentrations.

Ingesting nanosilver can produce significant toxicity to cells, tissues, and organs — including the brain and spinal cord. Therefore I strongly recommend against using it internally, except in the most extreme circumstances.