Ebola, Colloidal Silver & Nano Silver

A colloid is a substance in which particles of one kind (nano-micros in measure, so tiny) are dispersed throughout a medium of some other kind.

“Colloidal silver is a suspension of silver particles in a colloidal base” – Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

It is important to note that Nano-silver is a type of colloidal mineral which due to its anti-microbial activities, have been incorporated into many consumer products. These products include dietary supplements, laundry detergents, body soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, disinfectant sprays, kitchen utensils, clothing and children’s toys.

The use of colloidal silver dates back to 1938. Before the invention of antibacterial soap, colloidal silver was used as a disinfectant. It is still most commonly used to kill bacteria. Silver is effective at both preventing and combating bacterial illnesses and infections because it does not corrode making it an effective choice of cookware though expensive.

Ancient Greeks realised that the rich families who ate, drank and stored food in silverware were much less likely to be ill than the commoners who ate from ceramics and used iron utensils. We can relate to the proverbial silver spoon and the blue bloods.

Proponents of colloidal silver claim that it is effective against every virus and illness and that it has never reacted dangerously with other medications. Scientific studies have shown that pure silver quickly kills bacteria. It even kills the super-bacteria that evolve after conventional disinfecting agents kill the weak strains of bacteria. Silver acts as a catalyst and disables an enzyme that facilitates actions inside cells. It is not consumed in the process so it is available to keep working again and again. The enzyme silver destroys is required by anaerobic bacteria, viruses, yeast and molds. (Unfriendly bacteria tend to be anaerobic and friendly bacteria aerobic). This is the action that destroys pathogens. It stops them from using the body's own cells as vehicles for replication. Colloidal silver creates an environment that makes it impossible for pathogens to survive and multiply.

Since it is not designed to combat a specific pathogen but rather works against the very nature of their life cycles, it is an effective preventative agent against all illnesses caused by all pathogens including future mutations. There is no known disease-causing organism that can live in the presence of even minute traces of colloidal silver. Laboratory tests show that anaerobic bacteria, virus, and fungus organisms are all killed within minutes of contact. Parasites are also killed whilst still in their egg stage. Colloidal Silver is effective against infections, colds, influenza, fermentation and parasitic infestations.

Colloidal Silver is touted as a treatment for HIV and AIDS. These claims have not been recognized by the medical community but there is no denying the lengthy survival rates of some AIDS patients who swear by colloidal silver.

The same mechanism that hinders the replication of pathogens also seems to prevent the body from developing cancer. Cancerous tumors form when the cells' internal regulators stop working. The cells divide at a rate that outstrips the body's need for them. Colloidal silver recalibrates cells' rates of division.

When colloidal silver is used as a broad-spectrum viral and bacterial preventative it may cure other seemingly unrelated ailments. People who have sustained severe burns can use colloidal silver to promote healthy cell growth and fend off infections. It reduces the appearance of acne that is bacterial in origin. It helps maintain a healthy digestive environment and it maximizes the amount of nutrients that the body is able to extract from food. Colloidal silver makes it impossible for parasites to flourish and lay their eggs.

The above agrees with every available information of individuals who have tested, used and still use the colloidal silver in the treatment of infections and pathogenic diseases.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

This is the rule of the FDA about the use of colloidal silver. According to the Federal Register: August 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 158); Rules and Regulations, Page 44653-44658;

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule establishing that all over-the-counter (OTC) drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for internal or external use are not generally recognized as safe and effective and are misbranded.

The FDA further issued that (i) Colloidal Silver cannot be termed a drug but can be marketed as a dietary supplement and (ii) The claims of colloidal silver having the ability to cure all diseases should be dropped in marketing the product.

It should be strongly noted that nowhere in the entire document is colloidal silver termed a “Pesticide”. That statement being peddled by the press is misleading and false.

The following are the reasons behind the decision of the FDA:

“Based on the information set forth in the proposed rule, and after consideration of the information submitted by the public comments (as summarized as follows), FDA is declaring that all OTC drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts are not generally recognized as safe and effective, and are new drugs and misbranded within the meaning of section 201(p) of the act. Adequate safety and effectiveness data have not been provided to establish general recognition of the safety and effectiveness of colloidal silver or silver salt ingredients for any OTC drug uses. The data submitted

did not include the required absorption, metabolism, tissue distribution, accumulation, excretion, and pharmacodynamics (effect of the drug at its action site) of silver in the body, both when taken internally and applied externally, and of the effect of the particle

size of the silver on these systemic effects”

-  Federal Register: August 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 158); Rules and Regulations, Page 44653-44658; (Food & Drug Administration).

Thoughts & Suggestions

1.       At no time in the release of the FDA is Colloidal silver regarded as a “PESTICIDE”. Whoever says that is not expressing the thoughts of the FDA.

2.       The FDA ruled that Colloidal silver cannot be marketed as a drug, but as a dietary supplement.

3.       Nano-silver, a natural product like other drug has side effects due to prolonged use.

4.       Colloidal silver being a natural product will not enjoy the patronage of big pharmaceuticals hence the lack of funds to conduct explicit tests. (Economic consideration is a major factor in the ruling of the FDA as contained in their rules/guidelines for operation).

5.       The result of tests carried out by individuals on Colloidal silver could never have met the standard of the FDA for lack of funds to do same.

6.       The FDA never went ahead to conduct an independent confirmatory tests on the “claims” and tests conducted by these individuals.

7.       Colloidal silver has been used by several people in the US and they all attested to its efficacy in the destruction of any pathogen. However, the control of excessive use which is feared to be fatal as it might be wrongly perceived to as a substitute for other anti-microbial drug.

8.       It is also a confirmed fact that prolonged use has side effects common among which is the blue-grayish coloration of the skin, a disease known as Argyria. How long and how much causes this discoloration is also unknown.

9.       The difference between ZMAPP and Colloidal silver is of little significance with relevance to safety after prolonged use as none can be said to have met the certified criteria of the FDA.

10.   Colloidal silver has been researched and studied by several institutions around the world, in the US and Americas.

11.   The Nigeria Health Minister was cautioned against “REFERRING” to Colloidal silver as a drug which negates principles of western medicine. The FDA does not ban the use of colloidal silver but its sale as OTC drug as stated in the document above.

12.   Colloidal silver is sold all over the world (except in countries where it is out rightly banned) in natural health stores including Nigeria.

13.   The question is “Can Colloidal Silver cure Ebola”?  Could we have saved the life of Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh and others with the use of colloidal-silver?

14.   Why would the Health ministry rely “SOLELY” on the approval of FDA concerning colloidal –silver.

15.   Natural health products are our heritage and as such a blessing from God. The Health Ministry cum NAFDAC ought to invest in researching and regulating natural products in Nigeria.