Although tremendous claims and testimonials have been made for colloidal silver, almost none of these are documented with scientific research. 2 Colloidal silver products are classified by the FDA as misbranded because adequate directions cannot be written so the general public can use these drugs safely for their intended purposes. The products are also misbranded when their labeling falsely suggests there is substantial scientific evidence to establish the drugs are safe and effective for their intended uses. According to the Final Rule, a colloidal silver product for any drug use will first have to be approved by the FDA under drug application procedures. Despite this Final Ruling from the FDA, colloidal silver will likely continue to be sold as a trace mineral supplement without medical claims or claims of specific benefits, even though its need in human nutrition is unsubstantiated.
Colloidal silver is found as a solution in bottles.
Silver is not an essential nutrient, and thus no deficiency state exists. However, given the lack of long-term safety or efficacy data for oral use, ingestion of colloidal silver cannot be recommended. 3 Argyria causes the skin to turn gray or bluish gray and to turn dark on exposure to strong sunlight. This discoloration is permanent and there is no known effective treatment for it. The estimated accumulated amount of silver required over a one-year period to produce argyria is 1 to 6 grams.