Colloidal silver can cause severe side effects and is not safe for human consumption.
Some people mistakenly claim that oral colloidal silver may aid gut health, boost the immune system, and combat inflammation.
However, the Food and Drug Administration and other national health bodies do not approve it for human consumption. If taken, it can cause severe side effects.
Under no circumstance should someone ingest products containing colloidal silver or silver salts.

Colloidal silver is a solution containing very small silver particles suspended in a liquid. A “colloid” is a liquid that evenly distributes certain particles within it. People who believe in its use take it as an oral supplement or apply it topically.
Neither of these uses provides any health benefits and poses serious risks to health.
Colloidal silver and other silver-containing products are not safe for human use. Taking colloidal silver can cause severe side effects, including the following:
- argyria, which causes a person’s skin or eyes to take on a permanent silver-blue tone
- a
reduced abilityTrusted Source to absorb certain medications, such as antibiotics, which can treat bacterial infections, and thyroxines, which can treat thyroid deficiencies - fatal poisoning
As silver-containing products are not authorized nor regulated by the FDA, they may contain levels of silver that are different from those advertised. This further increases the risk of poisoning if taken.
Many people falsely claim that colloidal silver has a range of health benefits, including:
- cleansing the gut
- boosting the immune system
- treating fungal infections
- improving skin health
- preventing the flu
- preventing shingles
- preventing herpes
- preventing certain types of cancer
However, each and every one of these alleged benefits is unproven. Using colloidal silver poses a significant risk to health and is not suitable for anyone.
Colloidal silver and other silver-containing products are not safe for human use. The FDA does not approve nor regulate these products, and they carry a significant risk of poisoning.