Here’s what to know before you try it yourself

Colloidal silver has been called everything from a miracle cure to a medical myth. In this episode of The True Health Report, Dr. Andrew Kaufman walks through its true history, real risks, and why silver remains so controversial.

He doesn’t recommend it. But he doesn’t dismiss it either.

Instead, he uses colloidal silver as a case study in critical appraisal: how to think for yourself, evaluate scientific claims, and stay grounded in the face of health hype.

If you’ve ever considered trying colloidal silver — or just want to understand what’s behind the noise — this conversation will give you the tools to look deeper.

Get the 10 Hidden Neurotoxins List (Free Download): Dr. Kaufman’s Brain Hijackers report reveals the everyday toxins silently affecting your health, memory, and focus.
👉 www.andrewkaufmanmd.com/brain-hijackers

Where Did Silver Come From?

Silver was used as an antimicrobial agent for centuries — long before antibiotics. Doctors, dentists, and even the military used it widely. So why did it disappear?

What the FDA Actually Said

Silver supplements have been under fire since 1999, when the FDA banned their marketing for therapeutic use. But many people misinterpret what the agency actually stated.

The Real Risks (And Why Quality Matters)

Poorly made silver products can cause harm. Particle size, dose, and purity matter more than most people realize. This section breaks down what those risks really are.

How to Think Critically About Natural Remedies

Silver is one example. But the bigger lesson is about discernment. Andy lays out what questions to ask, how to read studies, and where to look for bias in both mainstream and alt-health narratives.

If you’re committed to being your own health authority, this is a great place to begin.

Watch This Episode If You:

• Have heard conflicting claims about colloidal silver and want to investigate for yourself
• Prefer critical thinking over quick fixes or fear-based warnings
• Question both mainstream narratives and alt health hype
• Want to build discernment around medical research — not just opinions

Also available on: BitChute | Odysee | Rumble

Studies Mentioned

A review of reproductive and developmental toxicity of silver nanoparticles in laboratory animals

Nano Silver-Induced Toxicity and Associated  Mechanisms

Silver in Wound Care—Friend or Foe?: A Comprehensive Review

Silver in Health Care: Antimicrobial Effects and Safety in Use

Bactericidal activity of silver nanoparticles: A mechanistic review

Clinical and Forensic Aspects of the Different Subtypes of Argyria 

Full transcript below:

Hello, everyone, and welcome. I'm Dr. Andrew Kaufman. And today I'm going to talk about colloidal silver. What is it? Is it safe? Does it work? And what does the evidence actually say?

Let’s start with a common image you’ve probably seen—someone who has turned permanently blue. That’s argyria. It’s real. And it’s associated with silver exposure.

But how much silver does it take to cause that? What kind of silver? And what else might be going on? That’s what we’ll unpack in this episode.

What Is Colloidal Silver?

Colloidal silver is simply silver particles suspended in liquid. It's usually made by passing an electric current through silver electrodes submerged in distilled water. That process causes silver ions to detach and become suspended.

But not all colloidal silver is created equal. Some preparations contain ionic silver. Some are more nanoparticulate. Some are just silver salts.

The variability in production methods means you can’t treat all colloidal silver the same. And that makes it hard to study—because people are taking very different products.

Where Did the “650 Pathogens” Claim Come From?

You may have heard that colloidal silver kills 650 types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This claim comes from a 1980s research project at Brigham Young University.

The catch? That study was conducted in vitro—meaning in test tubes or petri dishes. The silver was applied directly to pathogens. That’s very different from how silver interacts inside the human body.

There are also questions about dosage. In vitro, you can apply concentrated silver. But if you ingest colloidal silver, only a fraction of it may be bioavailable—and it's unclear how much gets to where it’s needed.

Does Colloidal Silver Harm the Microbiome?

This is an under-discussed question. In theory, if silver has broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects, it could disturb the gut flora. But we don’t have strong data either way.

Some studies suggest silver nanoparticles can disrupt bacterial cell membranes. But again, most of that data is from in vitro or animal studies. The real-world effect in humans—especially at supplement doses—is still a big question mark.

Wound Healing and Topical Use

Colloidal silver is sometimes used in wound dressings and topical gels. There’s actually more clinical support for this use.

Silver sulfadiazine, for example, has been widely used in burn care. It does reduce infection rates. But long-term topical use can still lead to argyria or other issues.

If someone’s using colloidal silver on a wound, it’s important to be aware of the concentration, frequency, and skin absorption risk.

Argyria: What Turns You Blue

Let’s talk about argyria. This condition results when silver particles deposit in tissues and oxidize under light—causing a gray-blue discoloration, especially in sun-exposed areas.

Most argyria cases are linked to high-dose, long-term ingestion of homemade colloidal silver. That’s key: dosage and exposure time matter.

There’s no established safe daily intake. The EPA has a reference dose for silver (5 micrograms per kg of body weight per day), but this isn’t based on long-term use.

So, What’s the Bottom Line?

Here’s what I tell people:

• Be cautious with any supplement that lacks standardization.
• Don’t assume “natural” means safe.
• Topical use has more support than ingestion.
• Long-term ingestion carries real risks.

If you’re curious about colloidal silver, dig into the sources. Ask what kind of silver is being used. Look for independent studies. And don’t rely on anecdotes alone.

There may be a place for silver in specific situations. But blanket use “just in case” isn’t smart science—or smart health.

Thank you for watching. I’ll see you next time on The True Health Report.