Colloidal Silver; What is it Really?

Colloidal Silver (Ag) is a solution of extremely fine sub microscopic particles (.001 - .005 microns)
of pure silver suspended in water by a positive electric charge on each particle. The particles remain suspended throughout the solution because these positive charged particles repel each other.

A powerful germicidal, silver is an exceptional metal in that it is non-toxic to the human body, but lethal to over 650 disease causing bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and molds; while conventional pharmaceutical antibiotics are typically effective against only 6 or 7 types of bacteria. Some new strains of bacteria classified as MDR (Multiple Drug Resistant) have proven to be resistant to all pharmaceutical antibiotics, but not to colloidal silver due to different germicidal mechanisms of deactivation.

How does colloidal silver work?

 
Richard Davies and Samuel Etris of The Silver Institute, in a 1996 report entitled The Development and Functions of Silver in Water Purification and Disease Control, discuss three primary ways that silver deactivates disease causing organisms. 

Catalytic Oxidation: 
Silver naturally holds onto oxygen molecules, which readily react with the sulfhydral (H) groups 
that surround bacterial and viruses. In turn, this helps block the life-preserving cellular 
process known as cellular respiration, which is defined as “the set of metabolic reactions and 
processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients 
into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products.”  In sum, producing oxidation.

Reaction with Bacterial Cell Membranes:

Silver ions can attach to bacterial cell membranes directly, impairing cell respiration and blocking its energy transfer system.

Binding with DNA:

Shown to literally enter bacteria DNA, up to 12% of silver has been detected in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.   According to one source, “While it remains unclear exactly how the silver binds to the DNA without destroying the hydrogen bonds holding the lattice together, it nevertheless prevents the DNA from unwinding, an essential step for cellular replication to occur.”

The Test:

There is considerable discussion and controversy regarding whether ionic silver or particulate (also known as true) colloidal silver is more efficacious.

It is claimed by one manufacturer that colloids are more effective at killing pathogens.  Their product is about 90% colloidal while most ionic/colloidal silver is typically 75-95% ionic.   They claim that ionic silver is converted to silver chloride in the stomach by coming in contact with hydrochloric acid, thereby becoming ineffective. 

Another manufacturer claims that the ionic portion is more effective at killing pathogens. Their product is about 95% ionic.  

In order to resolve the dispute, kill studies were performed using a controlled comparison that diluted both colloidal silver products with hydrochloric acid to neutralize the ions in the first manufacturers product.  Then the two were diluted to 20 PPM each so the comparison would have validity.   They then combined the remaining fractions of the two products with two strains of Staphylococcus Aureus.   The dilutions were placed on petri plates and graded as to their effectiveness in killing the pathogens. 

Please see the test results here.   

**This should resolve the issue.  

It seems clear the ionic portion is more effective at killing pathogens.

(Check out the youtube video at the bottom of the "About Production" page)

Purity of Silver

The quality of your finished product depends entirely on the purity of the water you start with and the purity of the silver you start with. Most of the current literature suggests that only 99.999% pure silver can be used. Most home brew systems use 99.9% pure silver. So, what is the difference? 

According to Academy Metals, a company in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that produces commercial silver,  the total allowable impurities in 99.9% (.999 fine) silver is 1000 ppm or 1 part in 1000. These impurities and their maximums are 1) Copper, 800 ppm, 2) Lead, 250 ppm, 3) Iron, 200 ppm, and 4) Bismuth, 10 ppm. This product is readily available in wire form and costs about $3.00 above the market (spot) price of silver. When this product is used to make electro-colloidal silver at a concentration of 5 ppm, the total impurities from the silver drop to 4 ppb (parts per billion) copper, 1.25 ppb lead, 1 ppb iron, .05 ppb bismuth. With all allowable impurities at these low levels, there is a reasonable argument for not being concerned. Still, sometimes small things make a big

difference. 

99.99% silver (.9999 fine) has total allowable impurities of 100 ppm of the same metals in the 
same ratios, and costs (in wire form) between $50-$90 above the spot price of silver. 
99.999% silver (.99999 fine) has total allowable impurities of 10 ppm, and in wire form costs 
about $250 above the spot price. 99.999% silver, in wire form, costs more than gold and is 
very difficult to find commercially.

We use 99.99% silver in producing our product.  Click here for details.

American pioneers of the west would place a silver coin in a jug of milk to keep it from spoiling.

Disclaimer:  These products have not been tested or approved by the U.S. Food

and Drug Administration.  These products are not intended to diagnose, prevent,

treat or cure any disease.  KinetiTeK Nutraceutical Solutions makes no claims or promises as to health benefits of its dietary/health supplements.  All research information is provided as a courtesy to our customers.  Consequences of dietary, topical or other use of any product is the sole responsibility of the customer.