It can sometimes be confusing to understand what colloidal silver is when different companies are saying different things, when (American) media reports conflict with new, peer-reviewed science. So here’s a brief over-view of the different names for colloidal silver out there, and which names aren’t even referring to colloidal silver.
Colloidal Silver: Silver has been used for thousands of years as an antimicrobial to prevent food spoilage as well as encourage healing. The term colloidal silver came around when people started suspending silver in water, and using it as an oral mineral supplement.
Nano Silver (or Nanosilver): Nano Silver refers to tiny particles of silver, less than 100 nm. When nano silver particles are suspended in water, nano silver can be short hand for colloidal silver. It also more accurately reflects what colloidal silver is today (thanks to advances in technology and to those who have spent time perfecting the technique of creating colloidal silver). It’s also a more scientific name, and is sometimes used to separate new research with colloidal silver from the old, which was spurned around the time antibiotics were invented.
Silver Water: Silver water has likely cropped into existence thanks to research being done in foreign countries on colloidal silver and the subsequent translation of that colloidal silver research. Generally, it’s use still refers to colloidal silver, but in more basic terms. It also points to the idea that true colloidal silver is nothing more than pure silver particles suspended in pure water.
Mesosilver®: Mesosilver is the brand of colloidal silver carried by Colloids for Life. It is the smallest available colloidal silver in the highest density, not only making Mesosilver more effective than other brands but more economical since you’re getting more true colloidal silver for your dollar. Importantly, Mesosilver’s a true colloidal silver. It’s not a silver compound, silver protein, or ionic silver. It’s pure, neutral silver particles suspended in pure water.
What Isn’t Colloidal Silver?
Silver Compounds: Silver compounds include silver salts, where the silver ion is paired with another ion, ex.: Silver Nitrate.
Silver Protein: Silver suspended in a polymer solution is called silver protein. The polymer base is usually derived from animals.
Ionic Silver: Ionic silver is a solution of silver particles that have a molecular charge; when exposed to other charged atoms or molecules they bond, so it will not be effective in the same way the pure colloidal silver is.
With these definitions in mind, make sure to avoid anyone proclaiming to sell colloidal silver that behaves strangely, selling it in glass containers (usually a sign there product is ionic silver or a silver compound), saying you can generate it at home (again, there HAVE been advances in the last 70 years, and Mesosilver is far purer, far smaller, and therefore far more effective and safe than things made at home), or selling powdered silver to mix in tap water (which definitely won’t be nano silver, and thus could be very dangerous).
Have you had experiences with other colloidal silver companies not clearly defining their product? Does this clear up confusion? Share in the comments, and feel free to ask questions!
Related Articles:
A Brief History of Colloidal Silver
About Nano silver/Silver Particle Size
How To Choose A Colloidal Silver