Thursday, June 7, 2012

Colloidal Silver and Diabetes


Is colloidal silver a reliable natural remedy for Type II diabetes?  Or will it at least help with diabetic symptoms?  
Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to find a single clinical study on the use of colloidal silver as a remedy for diabetes. 

Nevertheless, there are some interesting anecdotal accounts as well as some equally interesting clinical studies on the use of colloidal silver for certain health problems that commonly afflict diabetics, such as diabetic ulcers, candida yeast infections, blood clotting and more.  Here’s what I’ve discovered so far…

Hi, Steve Barwick here, for www.TheSilverEdge.com...

Back in the mid-90’s I knew of a gentleman who travelled frequently between the U.S. and Russia.  And at one point he purchased 10 colloidal silver generators to take to Russia. 

When I asked him why he was taking 10 colloidal silver generators to Russia, he told me the Russian Orthodox Church runs the hospitals back there, and he was taking the generators to be used in the hospitals. 

He went on to say that Type II diabetes was rampant in Russia, and the doctors from the Russian Orthodox Church had discovered that in some cases colloidal silver worked wonders, allowing the Type II diabetes victim to dramatically cut back on their diabetes medication after they began using colloidal silver. 

He said some patients were supposedly even cured of their Type II diabetes. 

Unfortunately, after his last trip to Russia I never heard back from this gentleman again.  So while I have no reason to disbelieve him, I also have no evidence to back up his claims. 

I could only conjecture at the time that the Type II diabetes patients who found benefit from colloidal silver must have had infected pancreases.  There’s no other way I can think of that colloidal silver could possibly have been of benefit except to help remediate an infection of the pancreas. 

But I’m not a doctor.  I’m a natural health journalist.  And this is definitely the type of thing clinical studies need to be conducted on to be absolutely sure.

No Clinical Studies

Unfortunately, I can’t find a single clinical study anywhere in the world to back up the contention that colloidal silver would be a reliable remedy for Type II diabetes. 

What’s more, since failure to take prescribed medication when you have diabetes could potentially result in death, I could never recommend anyone substitute colloidal silver for conventional medical treatment for this condition, without being under the direct care and guidance of their diabetes specialist. 

Anecdotal Accounts

All that said, I’ve seen some interesting anecdotal accounts of the use of colloidal silver by diabetics.  For example, here’s an anecdotal account I found on the internet from someone who says colloidal silver helped stabilize his blood sugar levels: 

I am also diabetic and after taking the Colloidal Silver my blood sugar level is now much more stable.  It would shoot up to 16-17 but now it is 6.5 -7.  The only thing that I've taken is the colloidal silver, so I know it does the job for me." 

That account was from the Rapha Labs web site. Here’s another one from the Marpe Products web site: 

“It was actually two diabetic friends who were instrumental in me becoming involved with colloidal silver.  One diabetic friend had a leg amputated and was told the other was also close to needing amputation, but she made a change to a raw foods diet and began to take colloidal silver. 

In only a few days her body began to respond and she was able to save her leg, she believes that if she would have known about the raw foods diet and colloidal silver she may well now have two healthy legs! 

Another friend who is a nurse was diagnosed with diabetes and she immediately began taking the colloidal silver.  When she went back to see her doctor three weeks later, her doctor said there had been a misdiagnosis and she had no sign of diabetes. 

These are two friends who shared experiences with me and caused me to look very seriously into the benefits of colloidal silver and raw foods diet. 

I can very confidently say that it would be a miracle if the colloidal silver and raw food diet DID NOT WORK!  They work extremely well together and I am amazed that more people don't know about this!”

On the other hand, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center advises against the use of colloidal silver for diabetes and other serious conditions, warning that, “Although no human clinical data support the use of oral colloidal silver, it is being promoted as a cure for AIDS, cancer, and diabetes.”

On his web site, Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., notes a study in which it was documented that one patient who had been using colloidal silver for diabetes for two years developed a minor case of argyria (skin discoloration from embedded silver particles) under the fingernails. 

In my layman’s opinion, this indicates that the patient had been using excessive amounts of colloidal silver on a regular basis as a means of helping control his diabetic symptoms. 

Indeed, in the study it was reported that the gentleman had been taking a commercial colloidal silver product at 140 ppm, which is a very strong concentration of colloidal silver for anyone to be taking regularly.

This study was apparently published in the International Journal of Dermatology, back in 2003.  Here’s an excerpt from it: 

“A 65-year-old male presented for skin examination and was incidentally noted to have discoloration of the fingernails. These findings were completely asymptomatic.

The patient had been taking colloidal silver supplementation (140 ppm silver) for 2 years as therapy for diabetes.

He first noticed the onset of nail discoloration 1 year ago. His past medical history included type II diabetes and hypertension. His current medications were metformin, glyburide, and benazepril.

Physical examination revealed slate-gray discoloration involving the lunulae of the fingernails (Fig. 1). The skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae were unaffected.”

So it only took one year worth of colloidal silver usage to notice the onset of argyric symptoms.  This is another good reason why, when you have a potentially serious health issue such as diabetes, your medical specialist should be directly involved in all of your health care decisions. 

Your specialist, for example, can help you compare “before and after” blood tests to see whether or not any nutritional intervention you’re using, such as colloidal silver usage, is having a positive (or negative) effect on your blood sugar, organ function or other aspects of your overall health.  And then your specialist can advise you from there. 

Healing Candida Yeast Infections

Many diabetics suffer from chronic Candida yeast infections, because of their blood sugar abnormalities.  But according to anecdotal reports, when they use colloidal silver the Candida symptoms are greatly alleviated if not completely cured. 

Here are a couple anecdotal reports in that regard:

"I am a diabetic, and suffer every now and then with yeast infections. I use my fine mist spray bottle at bedtime and after my shower. The itching and burning dissipates almost immediately."

-- DH, Charleston, WV

That’s a particularly interesting account, since some studies, such as this one, have found colloidal silver to be even more powerful than prescription antifungal drugs for controlling fungal infections. 

Shirley Hull, who runs a health retreat in FL, recommends women with persistent or severe Candida yeast infections drink 2-4 ounces of colloidal silver in divided doses throughout the day until the Candida infection is cured.  (Should only take a few days to a week at most.)

She also recommends making a simple douche out of water and four capsules of a good, probiotic supplement such as lactobacillus acidophilus, and douching each morning or evening (whatever is convenient) to help re-establish colonies of beneficial microbes in the vaginal tract.  She says this combination knocks out vaginal Candida infections very quickly. 

Finally, she recommends taking a good probiotic supplement daily during this time, and for at least a week afterwards, to help re-establish colonies of the beneficial microbes in the digestive tract so they can keep the Candida yeast from reaching infectious levels again.

Wound Healing

People with diabetes often have a hard time getting wounds to heal. But when they apply colloidal silver topically, the wounds seem to heal quickly. 

Here’s a testimonial from a diabetic regarding colloidal silver and wound-healing:

"I’m also diabetic, which means cuts and scratches in the leg or feet are sometimes difficult to heal. If I get a scratch or a cut on my legs, I rub colloidal silver up and down where the wound is. The silver heals the wound twice as fast. I also use the colloidal silver for athlete's foot -- clears it up immediately."

-- Mike T., Challis, ID

And here’s another interesting testimonial on the increased wound-healing experienced by a diabetic:

"One my friends who is diabetic smashed his thumb real bad, 7 or 8 days before he got to hunting camp. It just wouldn’t heal. So we used a cotton pad soaked with colloidal silver, wrapped it up, and the very next day it had started to heal. Three days later it was healed. He takes a gallon home every year now!"

-- J.H.K., Maricopa, AZ

And here’s a testimonial from a female diabetic who says she’s no longer prone to infections since she’s started taking colloidal silver:

“Colloidal silver has made a difference in my life. I have diabetes and was prone to various infections...not so after taking the colloidal silver daily. I am so much better.”

-- Mary R.

Silver and Wound Healing in Diabetics

The use of antimicrobial silver for certain symptoms of diabetes such as wound healing seems to be backed up by sufficient clinical data.  For example, there’s this notation in the Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology:

"Silver products have been used for thousands of years for their beneficial effects, often for hygiene and in more recent years as antimicrobials on wounds from burns, trauma, and diabetic ulcers.

Silver sulfadiazine creams (Silvazine and Flamazine) are topical ointments that are marketed globally. In recent years, a range of wound dressings with slow-release Ag compounds have been introduced, including Acticoat, Actisorb Silver, Silverlon, and others."

-- Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, Volume 33, Number 7, 627-634, May 25, 2006

Diabetics are frequently afflicted with painful and chronic leg ulcers.  But according to one study a simple colloidal silver spray can help heal leg ulcers quite effectively:

“Sixteen patients with leg ulcers were treated with a colloidal silver spray. The solution was applied once daily for the first few days, then twice weekly. The infection subsided in all cases.

After instruction, patients performed the therapy at home without supervision. No discomfort or side effects were observed. There was no persistent discoloration of the skin that could be attributed to silver. In all cases the infection subsided.”

-- Haeger, Knut. 1963. Preoperative treatment of leg ulcers with silver spray and aluminum foil. Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica, 125, 32-41.

A 2002 study on the effects of antimicrobial silver on extremely severe diabetic wounds was published in the journal NeuroRehabilitation by Dr. Robert O. Becker, M.D., of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. 

Dr. Becker found that silver nylon wound dressings that shed silver ions when used on severely infected wounds triggered dramatic healing in six insulin-dependent diabetic patients who were on the verge of having amputations due to the severity of their chronic infected wounds. 

According to the study: 

“Nine cases of chronic infected wounds non-responsive to standard therapy were treated with the application of silver nylon alone.  Six of the cases were in insulin dependent diabetics with severe peripheral neuropathy and varying degrees of impaired peripheral circulation. 

Four of the diabetic cases were serious enough to have had amputations advised as a last resort, or to have had prior amputations done for identical lesions on another extremity.  One case was a in a patients with severe peripheral neuropathy of unknown etiology.  Two cases were traumatic wounds in otherwise normal patients.  Both had also been advised amputation by the previous treating physician. 

In all cases infection control was achieved in 3 to 7 days and all treated wounds healed with restoration of all local tissues to their normal state.  Times to full healing varied from three weeks to three months depending upon the extent of the initial condition. 

All diabetic cases with peripheral neuropathy demonstrated return of normal sensation, however only in the treated area and along the nerve tracts proximally and distally thereto. 

Sensory loss in adjacent areas not exposed to silver ions was not relieved.  The return of sensation to the treated areas was generally complete but transitory, gradually diminishing until the area became asensate in about one year following treatment. 

Despite this subsequent sensory loss in the diabetic patients, all other regenerated tissues in the treated area remained normal for all follow up times.” 

Silver Relieves Blood Platelet Clumping

Interestingly, clumping of blood platelets is often a serious problem for people with diabetes, sometimes leading to heart problems and poor circulation in the extremities. 

But in a study titled "Characterization of Antiplatelet Properties of Silver Nanoparticles," researchers found that:

 "Silver nanoparticles also suppressed the aggregation of platelets obtained from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Thus, significant inhibition of platelet functions with a relatively low dose of nanosilver, combined with the lack of cell lysis, raise the hope for its use as an antiplatelet therapeutic agent."

Not a Cure for Diabetes

So all of that taken together is pretty darned interesting, I think you’ll agree.  But I still haven't seen any reliable clinical data to sustain the idea that colloidal silver can help cure Type II diabetes. 

My personal thoughts on the subject – strictly from a layman’s perspective -- are that in addition to colloidal silver there are a number of traditional natural substances said to benefit Type II diabetics, such as cinnamon, chromium, vanadium, ginseng, magnesium, zinc, aloe vera gel, Gymnema, and even herbal remedies such as Nopal cactus and Fenugreek. 

Therefore, a good naturopathic physician with experience in helping remediate the symptoms of Type II diabetes should be consulted in determining which of these natural substances might be beneficial for a person’s particular situation, since no two diabetics are exactly alike. 

And never forget to keep your medical specialist in the loop at all times so that it can be determined whether or not any natural substances being taken might conflict with your prescription medications, or cause dosages to have to be adjusted should there be a beneficial effect. 

In the meantime, you can learn more about the often astonishing infection-fighting qualities of colloidal silver by clicking the link in this sentence.

Yours for the safe, sane and responsible use of colloidal silver,


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Important Note and Disclaimer:  The contents of this Ezine have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  Information conveyed herein is from sources deemed to be accurate and reliable, but no guarantee can be made in regards to the accuracy and reliability thereof.  The author, Steve Barwick, is a natural health journalist with over 30 years of experience writing professionally about natural health topics.  He is not a doctor.  Therefore, nothing stated in this Ezine should be construed as prescriptive in nature, nor is any part of this Ezine meant to be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.  Nothing reported herein is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  The author is simply reporting in journalistic fashion what he has learned during the past 17 years of journalistic research into colloidal silver and its usage.  Therefore, the information and data presented should be considered for informational purposes only, and approached with caution.  Readers should verify for themselves, and to their own satisfaction, from other knowledgeable sources such as their doctor, the accuracy and reliability of all reports, ideas, conclusions, comments and opinions stated herein.  All important health care decisions should be made under the guidance and direction of a legitimate, knowledgeable and experienced health care professional.  Readers are solely responsible for their choices.  The author and publisher disclaim responsibility or liability for any loss or hardship that may be incurred as a result of the use or application of any information included in this Ezine.

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