A growing number of bacteria are becoming resistant to antimicrobials, so it is critical that antimicrobials are utilized when they are absolutely necessary and are proven to work. Animal agriculture is a breeding ground for the development of antibiotic resistance because of the widespread use of antimicrobials as feed additives for growth promotion and preventative measures (Refs. 1-3, below).
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in this post, an unsubstantiated claim was made “Because of the way silver nanoparticles attack – disrupting the structure of the cells and killing them bacteria cannot build up a resistance to silver nanoparticles as they can to antibiotics.” is false and dangerous.
Antimicrobials, particularly those that damage cells, have been successfully circumvented by bacteria in different ways (4).
Second, despite the fact that silver is a powerful antibacterial (5,6), multiple investigations have shown that certain bacterial strains have developed resistance to it (7-14).
Antimicrobial resistance can develop in a variety of ways, some of which can also lead to resistance to other drugs.
Concerns concerning bacterial resistance to silver have been summarized in two key reports, which warn that the existing lack of supervision on its rising use could have serious implications (15,16).
It's a new era of antimicrobial items, from anti-odor socks to computer mice that profess to self-sterilize. Nanosilver is the newest child on the block. Search for “nanosilver” to get a list of consumer products that include it.) “The Woodrow Wilson Center's Project on Emerging Nanotechnology's online inventory includes “silver.” The use of nanosilver in consumer products, as with other nanomaterials, is occurring despite a lack of governmental monitoring, though the EPA may be beginning to pay attention to this use.
Our ability to protect ourselves and our ecosystems against harmful microorganisms may be significantly impacted by the widespread and indiscriminate usage and release of such nanosilver compounds.
The use of nanosilver in consumer items should be strictly regulated until we have a better understanding of its long-term effects.
Before nanosilver is widely used in consumer products and the environment, additional research is needed.
First, the Alliance for Antibiotic Prudence
2002.
Animal Antibiotics and the Impact of Resistance (FAAIR) Project report..
CDC Clinical Infectious Diseases 34(S3): S71-S144 See: http://www.tufts.edu/med apua/Ecology f.html for more information about Fairy
General Accounting Office (GAO). 2004.
Resistance to Antibiotics: Federal Agencies Must Improve Their Focus on Risk to Humans from Animal Antibiotic Use.
GAO-04-490. APRIL 2004, GAO Report.
At: http://www.gao.gov/docsearch?rptno=GAO-04-490
Antimicrobial resistance and human health are intertwined in the production of industrial food animals.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC HEALTH
http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.29.020907.090904
Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in bacteria. Tenover FC. 2006. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(06)00836-4/abstract
5. Edward-Jones, V. 2006. Silver's antimicrobial and barrier properties against MRSA.
The Journal of Wound Care.15(7):285-290.
http://www.journalofwoundcare.com/cgi-bin/go.pl/library/abstract.html?uid=26951
Sixth EPA of the United States of America (EPA). 1993. Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substance Prevention. EPA-738-F-93-005, June. It can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/RED/factsheets/4082-2.pdf ;
Silver-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from hospital patients. Hendry AT, Stewart IO, 1979. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 25:91521. http://rparticle.web-p.cisti.nrc.ca/rparticle/AbstractTemplateServlet?calyLang=eng&journal=cjm&volume=25&year=0&issue=8&msno=m79-136
Deshpande, LM, and Chopade, BA. Silver resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii was mediated via a plasmid. Biometals7:4956. http://www.springerlink.com/content/j56050x270861k14/?p=83dca07d9d6b44afa60e6f401a32d06a&pi=7
13. Nikaido H. Li X-Z. 1997. Mutant E. coli strains that are resistant to silver show vigorous efflux of Ag+, but lack porins. An article in the Journal of Bacteriology, 179 (19):61276132. http://jb.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/179/19/6127
The findings of this study are summarized as follows: The molecular foundation for Salmonella's resistance to silver cations. 5(2):183188 in Nature Medicine http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v5/n2/abs/nm0299 183.html
This paper is based on Gupta et al's '98 paper Plasmid-mediated silver resistance in Escherichia coli can be affected by halides. 12:50425045, Applied Environment Microbiology http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/64/12/5042
Biocide properties of silver in burn and wound dressings and bacterial resistance to silver compounds are discussed in this paper by Silver S, Phung le T, and Silver G. Microbiology and Biotechnology Journal, 33(7):627-34. http://www.springerlink.com/content/e66l0g6125655482/?p=a5939d6f624545d5a1da96dbd01c3a56&pi=19
Silver as a biocide: will resistance become a problem? Gupta A, Silver S. 1998. Nature Biotechnology. 16: 888.
As silver-based antibacterial agents gain popularity, is this a good thing or a matter for concern?
J Antimicrob Chemother. 2009;59:587590
http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/59/4/587
How many tablespoons of colloidal silver can you take in 1 day?
The suggested daily dose of colloidal silver is one tsp per day, despite the fact that it is absolutely nontoxic and can be consumed in any quantity.
Can colloidal silver damage kidneys?
There has been a consumer advisory issued by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). If you're interested in learning more about this warning, you can find it at http://www.nccam,nih.gov.
A colloidal silver product is a liquid that contains microscopic silver particles. Supplements that promise to improve the immune system; eliminate disease-causing organisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi; offer an alternative to prescription antibiotics; and treat diseases like cancer and HIV/AIDS are being sold as food supplements. There is no evidence to support these statements.
Over-the-counter colloidal silver products are not considered by the FDA to be safe and effective for diseases and disorders, according to the NCCAM's report. For making drug-like claims concerning these goods, the FDA has taken action against a number of corporations.
There are major adverse effects to using colloidal silver. One such condition is argyria, a blue-gray staining of the skin that can affect anyone. In the case of argyria, there is no treatment or cure. Among the other possible adverse effects include neurologic difficulties (e.g., seizures), kidney impairment (which can lead to kidney failure), stomach distress, headaches, exhaustion and skin irritation. The absorption of prescription drugs such as penicillamine, quinolones and tetracyclines may be hindered by colloidal silver.
How much colloidal silver is toxic?
World Health Organization claims that one can safely eat 6 teaspoons of 10 ppm colloidal silver per day for 80 years without experiencing the sole negative effect associated with excessive silver consumptionargyria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a lifetime exposure limit of 10 grams of silver based on the development of argyria.
How much colloidal silver does it take to turn blue?
Over time, silver sulfide builds up in the dermis, resulting in the blue tint. One milligram of silver can be found in the body of a regular person on any given day. When the dosage reaches 4 grams, argyria can occur. When the total silver content is at least 20 grams, blue skin tends to become more common. Discoloration can be alleviated in some circumstances through laser surgery. Colloidal silver should be eliminated from most people's diets in order to prevent further discolouration and issues from occurring. Silver toxicity can lead to brain abnormalities and paralysis of the respiratory system if silver consumption continues at its current rate.
Silver is biocompatible, but excessive amounts might be dangerous. Any substance can be toxic in the right dose, according to the “anything is toxic” worldview.
Can you drink colloidal silver?
Colloidal silver may be harmful if swallowed. In colloidal silver, the silver is absorbed into the skin and other organs. When this happens, the gums might turn a permanent shade of blue.
Is colloidal silver hard on the liver?
It's in the air you breathe, the food you consume, and the water you drink in trace levels.
Although the environmental and health implications of silver nanoparticles are unknown, colloidal silver is deemed dangerous to swallow due to the lack of scientific research.
Argyria is the most serious complication of long-term exposure to colloidal silver.
As a result of an accumulation of silver metal particles in the body and skin, the skin takes on a blue-gray hue. Also, silver deposits can be found in the digestive system and other parts of the body (16).
What is the purest colloidal silver?
True colloid silver, MesosilverTM, is the best available on the market right now. As far as particle size to concentration ratio is concerned, this is the most effective product and the best value for money.
Does colloidal silver work for wrinkles?
In spite of our best efforts, we'll occasionally stumble across an ingredient that demands additional exploration in the world of skincare. Silver is the color of choice this time around. After copper and gold, silver seems to be having a renaissance presently. However, it turns out that the use of silver in cosmetics isn't all that novel. Before the development of antibiotics, silver was used to treat bacterial infections because of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Why is colloidal silver banned?
- There are major adverse effects to using colloidal silver. It is the most frequent, a bluish-gray discoloration that is usually permanent.
- Some medications, such as some antibiotics and thyroxine, may have poor absorption when administered with colloidal silver (used to treat thyroid deficiency).
- Since colloidal silver is not safe or efficient for treating any disease or condition, the FDA has also warned in 1999
- Several companies have been penalized by the FDA and FTC for falsely advertising colloidal silver products.
How long does colloidal silver last?
After opening our Colloidal Silver, we recommend that you utilize it within six months of its expiration date. The fragile charges are better preserved in glass bottles over time, and we have a customer who has had their Colloidal Silver for almost ten years!
Here's why: Dissolved ionic silver concentration is very stable, but the particulate silver is highly susceptible to external influences, and the size of these influences is directly related to how thick the bottle's wall is. Glass is heavier and hence better at protecting fragile charges than plastic, but when recycled appropriately, plastic is lighter and thus better for the environment.
Avoid exposing your Colloidal Silver to direct sunshine or excessive heat to keep it in good working order.
When storing your Colloidal Silver, you should keep it in a dark and cool spot like an old-fashioned pantry.