Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does silver have a historical use other than as a medium of monetary exchange?
Q: How is silver able to inhibit the growth of one-celled micro-organisms?
Q: Are colloidal silver products safe?
Q: If silver is such a potent anti-microbial agent, why isn’t it used by mainstream medicine to treat people with illnesses for which there may be no other help?
Q: Does the generic term “colloidal silver” have more than one possible definition?
Q: What is the USFDA’s definition of “colloidal silver” and why are they concerned about it’s usage?
Q: Are colloidal silver and colloidal gold “drugs” or do they interact with drugs?
Q: Can colloidal silver or colloidal gold cause an allergic reaction?
Q: Can colloidal silver cause Argyria?
Q: Can colloidal silver cause one to feel ill?
Q: Which colloidal silver is most effective, ionic or non-ionic?
Q: How important is silver particle size and is a high ppm colloidal product required for effectiveness?
Q: Does colloidal silver fight only “bad” bacteria, leaving “good” flora unaffected?
Q: Are colloidal silver products containing gelatins/proteins, salts, or nitrates effective?
Q: Why is there an EPA Reference Dose, (RfD) for silver if it has no associated adverse effects ?
Q: Why is Advanced Colloidal Silver a dark greenish brown color rather than clear?

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Q: How important is particle size and is a high ppm colloidal silver product required for effectiveness?

A: You cannot judge colloidal silver products based solely upon parts per million (ppm), but a smaller particle size product is potentially more effective. Silver is only effective to the degree that the surface area of the silver particles are able to come into contact with a micro-organism. I'll exaggerate with size so you can get a clear mental image of this concept. Imagine a silver particle the size of a 55 gal. barrel with the outside of the barrel being the surface area that comes in contact with the surrounding environment; then compare that with the same barrel filled with silver particles the size of marbles or BBs. There are many times more effective surface areas to contact the surrounding environment with the smaller particles than with the larger particles. It also enables them to travel more easily in the body's fluid environment.

High ppm products generally are comprised of much larger particles suspended in a gelatinous base to keep them from falling out, which means that more of it may either collect in the tissue under the skin or be eliminated from the body without being utilized. High ppms are only necessary when the silver particle size is very large and therefore must make up for an inefficient surface area with more parts per million.

The truth is, silver of any size can be effective against micro-organisms, such as the use of silver utensils and cups, putting silver coins in water or milk, or even wearing silver jewelry where it is assimilated through the skin. There is no doubt that silver is only effective to the degree that it is able to come into contact with microbes and is therefore more effective if it has a particle size small enough to get down to the cellular level, but the debate about particle size can become somewhat academic. Smaller size enables the particles to travel more easily in the body's fluid environment, giving the silver easier access to all areas of the body and to microorganisms, but particle size in the 2-10 nanometer range, will be able to travel effectively anywhere in the body it is needed.