Experts: It’s the Silver Ion That Gives Colloidal Silver Its Antimicrobial Power...

You’ll find some people on the internet claiming that the ionic form of colloidal silver doesn’t work.

But ionic silver is the #1 most popular form of colloidal silver in the world today because, simply stated it’s the most effective form.

Here’s what the experts have to say about the powerful infection-fighting qualities of ionic silver:

"The antimicrobial properties of silver are due to the silver ion..."

-- Romans, I.B. 1954. Oligodynamic metals. In Antiseptics, Disinfectants, Fungicides, and Chemical and Physical Sterilization. Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 388-428.

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"Silver ions are bactericidal, antifungal, protozoicidal, and active against herpes simplex virus."

-- Russell, A.D., et al. 1994. Antimicrobial activity and action of silver. Progress in Medicinal Chemistry, 31, 351-370.

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"...the microbicidal activity of silver is significantly ion influenced.”

-- Simonetti, N., et al. 1992. Electrochemical Ag+ for preservative use. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 58(12), 3834-3836.

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"To be bactericidal, the silver must be available as a solution, and the efficacy of the solution is dependent on the concentration of silver ions present in the solution…silver is effective against a broad range of antibiotic-resistant organisms, which is expected because silver has been regularly found to be effective against antibiotic-resistant organisms”.

-- Wright, J. Barry, Lam, Kan, and Burrell, Robert E. 1998. Wound management in an era of increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance: a role for topical silver treatment. American Journal of Infection Control, 26(6), 572-577.

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“Beginning in 1973, in vitro studies demonstrated that such ions were an effective antibiotic with a very broad spectrum and favorable quantitative evaluations compared with synthetic antibiotics…The failure of other nontoxic metal ions to produce a similar alteration with the same electrical parameters strongly indicates that the electrically generated silver ion is the agent responsible for the observed cellular changes…Healing rates in these wounds are significantly accelerated and are accompanied by enhanced healing of the bone, soft tissue, nerve, and skin, with replacement of missing tissues by histologically normal tissues…The responsible agent for these cellular effects is believed to be the electrically generated silver ion”.

-- Becker, Robert O. 2000. Effects of electrically generated silver ions on human cells and wound healing. Electro- and Magnetobiology, 19(1), 1-19.)

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"Silver ions were more effective at inhibiting bacteria than platinum, gold, copper and stainless steel ions."

-- Spadaro, J.A., et al. 1974. Antibacterial effects of silver electrodes with weak direct current. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 6(5), 637-642.)

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“The Ag+ filler showed significantly more antibacterial activity than the control filler without silver ions…The findings indicate that the antibacterial effect is due to silver ions released from the Ag+-containing filler.” (Yamamoto, Kohji, et al. 1996. Antibacterial activity of silver ions implanted in silicone dioxide filler on oral Streptococci.

-- Dental Materials, 12: 227-229.

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“It has been shown shown that the ionic portion of a colloidal silver protein is the germicidal component.”

-- Sollman, Torald, and J.D. Pilcher 1924. Organic, protein and colloid silver compounds: Does the “colloidal silver” become available as antiseptic? Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine. 10:38-42.

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"...the bactericidal power of CS (colloidal silver) is due to the silver ion."

-- Uegaki, Shingo. 1930. Influence of the blood constituents on the bactericidal power of colloidal silver. Japanese Journal of Experimental Medicine. 8: 573-613.)

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"Silver is a disinfectant for non-spore forming bacteria at concentrations about 1000 times lower than the levels at which it is toxic to mammalian life. ...The ionic form of silver is necessary."

-- British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Silver, Environmental Protection Department, February 19, 1996

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“In the present paper we show that silver ions inhibit the respiratory chain of E. coli. The most sensitive site of inhibition was between the bcytochromes and cytochrome a,. A further site of inhibition was located between the site of substrate interaction with the respiratory chain and flavoprotein.”

-- “The Effect of Silver Ions on the Respiratory Chain of Escherichia coli,” P. D. Bragg and J. D. Rainnie, Department of Biochemistry, University of British Columbia

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“…conversion of silver to silver ions is necessary for efficacy.”

-- Albert T. McManus, MD, Chief of Microbiology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Army Burn Center, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research

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"Ionic silver, although technically a colloidal, does seem to offer more beneficial properties than the traditional colloidal silver. Ionic silver can be generated by electrolyzing the silver metal or dissolving silver compounds and appears to have superior antimicrobial activity.

One of the reasons for this, in addition to the charge of the particles, might be that ‘silver ions in solution offer a greater surface area because of the fact that they are individual atoms, not clusters of atoms as seen in a colloid.’ This means that ‘they react more quickly and readily,’ and since they ‘are relatively smaller than colloidal particles, they will penetrate…more rapidly and effectively.’”

-- S.M. Foran, Therapeutic Properties of Silver: an Historical and Technical Review

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"Silver compounds have a wide variety of uses as caustics, astringents, antiseptics, and germicides. Their activity resides in the silver ion, which is a protein precipitant [in that] it is toxic to bacteria by precipitating the protein in the bacteria protoplasm.”

-- Handbook of the Hospital Corps of the United States Navy, 1953

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“All silver-based antimicrobials act against bacteria through the action of silver ions (Ag+). The effect of silver ions against microorganisms is well established and is referred to as the oligodynamic effect. Silver ions interact with bacteria cells through 3 mechanisms:

1. Damage cell membrane

2. Displace Ca2+ and Zn2+ ions

3. Interact with sulphur, oxygen or nitrogen

Silver ions are active against a broad range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Unique qualities of silver ions are: Low risk for bacteria resistance, effective in very low concentrations, no human toxicity”

-- Dr. Murray J. Height, Ph.D, Chief Technology Officer, HeiQ Materials, Silver Nanotechnology Working Group

[All quotes were taken from the Experts Quotes page or the Clinical Studies page at The Silver Edge web site.]

Silver Ions Rule!

The bottom line is that silver ions flat out rule.

That’s not to say other forms of colloidal silver – such as particulate, or metallic silver, or silver proteins, or silver citrate, etc. – are ineffective. They aren’t.

But they are only effective to the extent that they release silver ions in the system. The more silver ions they release, the more effective they are.

So the next time someone tries to tell you ionic silver is “ineffective,” show them this article and watch ‘em squirm.

Helpful Links:

Video: Learn How to Make Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver

.999 Fine Pure Silver Wire for Making Colloidal Silver

Get Your FREE Colloidal Silver “Safe Dosage” Report

Join the Colloidal Silver Secrets Group on Facebook

The New Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator

Subscribe to the Colloidal Silver Secrets Ezine

Make Your Own Colloidal Silver Inexpensively

Real-Life Colloidal Silver Success Stories

Colloidal Silver Update (News & Views)

The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual

The Colloidal Silver Secrets Video

Colloidal Silver Kills Viruses

Colloidal Silver Cures MRSA

Colloidal Silver Secrets blog

Meet Steve Barwick

Metalloproteins – the Body’s Transport Mechanism for Ionic Silver

The human body has a special means for transporting metallic ions – including silver ions – through the harsh environment of the digestive tract, into the bloodstream and directly into the cells and tissues. Here are the facts you won’t hear from the purveyors of particulate silver products…

You’re probably aware by now that ionic colloidal silver is the most popular form of colloidal silver in the world today – and has been for nearly 100 years.

Yet some promoters of colloidal silver products like to claim that silver ions are inactivated in the digestive system of the human body by hydrochloric acid (i.e., stomach acid), and thus lack any significant benefit when orally ingested.

Purveyors of this theory usually turn out to be slick promoters of a less popular form of colloidal silver – the overly expensive particulate (i.e., metallic) form -- which they frequently (albeit deceptively) refer to as “true colloidal silver.”

The Deceptive Story Line

These promoters constantly denigrate the ionic form of colloidal silver for one simple reason: Ionic silver is far less expensive than their particulate silver products.

In order to keep their customers from jumping ship and purchasing less expensive ionic silver products, they’ve developed the deceptive story line that ionic silver has no real benefit in the human body due to inactivation in the gut by hydrochloric acid.

This claim, of course, flies in the face of over 100 years worth of successful consumer and medical usage of ionic colloidal silver.

Apparently, the lives saved, the infections cured, the wounds healed by ionic silver…have all been, well…merely imagined.

Metalloproteins:

The Body’s Metallic Ion Transport System!

What the purveyors of particulate colloidal silver products fail to reveal is the simple fact that in the human body, silver ions (and most other metallic ions that are considered essential minerals)…

…are uniquely transported through the harsh environment of the digestive tract, into the bloodstream and the directly into the cells and tissues through a complex but well-known biological transport mechanism that utilizes metalloproteins.

Metalloproteins are very small chains of protein which exist for the purpose of binding to metallic atoms (including metallic ions), becoming an inherent portion of the molecule in the process.

By binding with them, the metalloproteins are able to act as “escorts” for the metallic ions through the harsh chemistry of the digestive tract, into the circulatory system and directly into the cells and tissues of the human body.

Metalloproteins are not rare. Rather, they are ubiquitous throughout the digestive tract. There are about 200+ metalloproteins present in saliva alone. In fact, a full one-third of the proteins made by the body’s 100 trillion cells are metalloproteins.

And science now recognizes that between 9 to 11% of a cell’s energy is dedicated to the task of making these metalloproteins.

Metallothioneins and Silver

One class of metalloproteins, known as metallothioneins, are cysteine-rich low molecular weight metalloproteins. I bring up the metallothioneins because they are known to transport zinc, copper, and silver throughout the human body.

The metallothioneins are also known to bind to cadmium, mercury, and arsenic and inhibit their absorption by the body’s cells and tissues. So they transport beneficial minerals into the cells and tissues, and keep potentially harmful minerals out.

Metallothioneins have also been demonstrated to absorb silver in preference to zinc (because free zinc ions are more toxic if absorbed in excess).

This unique class of metalloproteins was discovered in 1957. So man’s knowledge of them and their role in silver ion transport is by no means new.

(Which is one reason why the lack of mention of metallothioneins by the purveyors of particulate silver products is very disconcerting.)

What’s more, metalloproteins in general provide protection against oxidative stress, meaning they help quench free radical activity in the human body.

The metalloproteins as a class are still undergoing scientific investigation due to their vital role in mineral transport, enzyme production, signal transduction, redox reactions (i.e., reducing harmful free radical activity) and many other crucial biological functions.

Passive Transport Versus Active Transport

Another interesting fact never mentioned by the purveyors of particulate silver products is this:

Particulate silver is completely dependent upon a passive transport system, and is totally dependent upon the process of osmosis to be absorbed into the body’s cells and tissues.

In other words, particulate silver is simply carried along inside the body like a piece of loose fish bait being carried down a meandering stream. If it comes into close proximity to a fish (i.e., a cell), it might get eaten (i.e., absorbed). Or it might not.

The process is completely random. Indeed, the body spends no energy whatsoever for the purpose of absorbing or utilizing particulate silver.

On the other hand, as I’ve pointed out above, ionic silver (as charged silver particles) is uniquely sequestered and transported -- escorted, you might say -- by the body’s metallothioneins and other metalloproteins.

Through this highly specialized escort process, ionic silver is taken through the digestive tract and into the circulatory system specifically to be absorbed into the cells and tissues by the process known as active transport.

This means the body actually expends energy for the specific purpose of absorption of these beneficial metallic ions.

In other words, the body has a special transport system set up for metallic ions – including silver ions – whereas it does not have such a system set up for non-ionic (i.e., particulate) minerals. Their absorption is entirely passive…which basically means random.

Therefore it should come as no surprise that the promoters of particulate colloidal silver products never discuss the well-known functional biological roles of the metalloproteins, or the body’s active transport system, when wagging their collective fingers at ionic silver.

Deceptive Tactics

Worse yet, the purveyors of particulate silver frequently resort to deceptive tactics such as pouring ionic silver into a glass beaker full of pure hydrochloric acid and proclaiming “See, the silver ions are inactivated by the acid”…

…while never mentioning the fact that if the chemistry of the digestive tract actually consisted of pure hydrochloric acid, it would eat straight through your stomach lining, leaving your insides exposed through a painful gaping hole between your legs.

Thankfully, hydrochloric acid is found only in a dilute form in the human body – so dilute that a mere lining of mucous on the stomach wall is all that’s needed to protect the rest of the body from the acid.

What’s more, the chemistry of the digestive tract is far more complex than the purveyors of particulate silver would have you believe.

Depending upon where you’d like to start, the digestive system is composed of numerous chemicals and substances including water, digestive enzymes, amino acids and their fractions such as the metalloproteins and metallothioneins…

…plus, bile (for helping turn fats such as cholesterol into key hormones), glycoproteins, pepsinogen and pepsin, rennin, glycerol, and more --

-- all of which are utilized in processes having to do with the breaking down of food…the creation of vital substances needed by the body (such as hormones)…

…and the extraction and transportation of nutrients and other substances to the cells, tissues and organs of the human body.

The bottom line is that hydrochloric acid is just one of many chemicals that helps create a suitable environment for the processing of food into the myriad of nutritional components needed by the rest of the body for its basic biological functions.

Therefore, the deceptive tactic of pouring ionic silver into a beaker full of pure hydrochloric acid is meaningless.

Indeed, it’s an example of rank, pseudo-scientific showmanship designed to deceive the gullible public into paying exorbitant sums of money for a form of silver that may not even be a fraction as effective against pathogenic microorganisms as the time-tested ionic form.

In Conclusion

There is a reason that the ionic form of colloidal silver has been the most popular form for over 100 years.

And that’s because it is the form most easily utilized by the human body.

The human body has a specific active transport system set up for bringing the immune-boosting and infection-fighting qualities of ionic silver directly into it.

No such active transport system exists for the particulate form of colloidal silver.

Indeed, the term “true colloids” which the purveyors of particulate silver like to use to describe their product, does not even exist in a single independent scientific reference work.

It was solely made up out of whole cloth for the express purpose of deceiving an unwitting public into believing a fallacy.

In essence, it is a custom-made term designed to make a deceptive sales pitch sound believable.

Helpful Links:

Video: Learn How to Make Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver

.999 Fine Pure Silver Wire for Making Colloidal Silver

Get Your FREE Colloidal Silver “Safe Dosage” Report

Join the Colloidal Silver Secrets Group on Facebook

The New Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator

Subscribe to the Colloidal Silver Secrets Ezine

Make Your Own Colloidal Silver Inexpensively

Real-Life Colloidal Silver Success Stories

Colloidal Silver Update (News & Views)

The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual

The Colloidal Silver Secrets Video

Colloidal Silver Kills Viruses

Colloidal Silver Cures MRSA

Colloidal Silver Secrets blog

Meet Steve Barwick

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