Colloidal silver supplements Are they safe? Mayo Clinic
Colloidal silver supplements: Are they safe? - Mayo Clinic
verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.Appointments at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Healthy LifestyleConsumer health
Products and servicesMy dad takes colloidal silver for his health but is it safe
Answer From Brent A. Bauer, M.D. Taking colloidal silver by mouth is not thought to be safe or effective for any of the health claims that many manufacturers make. Silver is not an essential mineral, as some sellers of silver products say. Colloidal silver products are made of tiny silver bits that float in a liquid. This is the same type of precious metal used in jewelry, dental fillings and silverware. Colloidal silver products are often marketed as dietary supplements to take by mouth. These products also come in forms to use on the skin. Manufacturers of colloidal silver products often say that their products are cure-alls. Some claim these products can improve your immune system and fight bacteria and viruses. And they say these products can treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, shingles, herpes, acne, eye diseases and prostatitis. But little research has been done to study these health claims. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acted against some manufacturers of colloidal silver products for making unproven health claims. It's not clear how much colloidal silver you can take before it may be harmful. But it can build up in your body's tissues over months or years. This can lead to a blue-gray tint on your skin, eyes, organs, nails and gums. This condition is called argyria (ahr-JIR-e-uh). Argyria does not typically cause a major health problem. But it can be a cosmetic concern because it does not go away when you stop taking silver products. In rare cases, too many doses of colloidal silver can cause long-lasting severe health problems, such as kidney damage and seizures. Colloidal silver products also may interact with medicines, such as some antibiotics and levothyroxine (Unithroid, Levoxyl, others). With Brent A. Bauer, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe!Thank you for subscribing
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CBD safetyColon cleansing ShareTweet Oct. 05, 2022 Show references Colloidal silver. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/colloidal-silver. Accessed Sept. 14, 2022. Colloidal silver. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Sept. 14, 2022. Over-the-counter drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts. Federal Register. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1999/08/17/99-21253/over-the-counter-drug-products-containing-colloidal-silver-ingredients-or-silver-salts. Accessed Sept. 16, 2022. Medical uses of silver: History, myths, and scientific evidence. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2019; doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01439. See more Expert AnswersProducts and Services
The Mayo Clinic Diet OnlineBook: The Mayo Clinic DietBook: Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain ReliefSee also
A Very Happy BrainAcupuncture for back pain?Alternative cancer treatments: 11 options to considerCandida cleanse dietCBD safetyColon cleansingConsidering complementary therapyDetox foot padsDiabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?Do infrared saunas have any health benefits?Prickly pear cactusHerbal supplements: Not risk-freeHerbal supplements: Safety firstHerbal supplements and heart drugsKombucha teaKratom: Unsafe and ineffectiveKratom and pregnancy: Not a safe mixKratom for opioid withdrawalLearn to reduce stress through mindful livingMassageMedical marijuanaMeditation 2.0: A new way to meditateMindfulness exercisesMiracle cure or marketing scam?Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?Tai chiTai Chi and Cardiac RehabValerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid?Tai chiAlternative psoriasis treatmentsWhat is hot yoga?What is reflexology?Do zinc supplements shorten colds?Show more related contentAdvertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad ChoicesMayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE bookOther Topics in Patient Care & Health Info
Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20058061 Healthy Lifestyle Consumer health Expert Answers Colloidal silver supplements Are they safeMayo Clinic Footer
Request AppointmentSymptom CheckerGive NowContact UsAbout Mayo ClinicEmployeesSite MapAbout This SiteLegal Conditions and Terms
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage CookiesReprint Permissions
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.HON
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.