Colloidal silver

Also known as silver hydrosol, ionic silver, nano silver.

Colloidal silver is listed for education only and is not part of the routine supplement catalog.

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What is Colloidal silver?

In plain words

Colloidal silver is a liquid containing tiny silver particles, and silver is not a nutrient the body needs. Some swallowed silver can enter the body and build up in tissues. Researchers study its effects on germs, but there is no good evidence that swallowing it treats infections. Oral use can cause permanent blue-grey skin colour and reduce the absorption of some medicines.

Technical definition

Colloidal silver is a dispersion of microscopic elemental silver particles in liquid, sometimes also containing dissolved silver ions; silver has no established nutritional role in humans. Silver ions interact with microbial proteins, membranes and nucleic acids rather than a single specific receptor, but laboratory antimicrobial activity does not establish efficacy for treating infections by oral ingestion. Colloidal silver is not recognised as a dietary ingredient with an established nutritional function, and infection-treatment marketing claims have prompted regulatory action.

Educational information only. This page does not provide medical advice or determine whether a supplement is appropriate for you. Review supplements with a qualified healthcare professional, especially if you take medication, are pregnant, have surgery scheduled, or have a chronic medical condition.

Not recommended for routine supplement use

This entry is listed for education only and is kept outside the routine catalog.

Evidence by use

Each use is rated on its own. There is no single overall effectiveness score.