A number of new
studies demonstrate conclusively that antimicrobial silver busts through
bacterial biofilms, and can even prevent microbes from forming biofilms.
This is important
news, because biofilms are the protective “fort”-like structures erected by
colonies of pathogens in order to evade the effects of antibiotic drugs.
Here’s what current clinical
research is demonstrating about this most remarkable quality of antimicrobial
silver…
Hi, Steve Barwick here, for www.TheSilverEdge.com...
It’s estimated that up to 80% of all infections involve
biofilms, including but not limited to urinary tract infections, catheter
infections, middle ear infections, dental plaque infections, gingivitis (i.e.,
gum infections), chronic sinusitis, burn wound infections, bone infections and
some heart and lung infections as well.
Bacterial biofilms are essentially “slime cities” of
pathogens protected by an “extracellular matrix” constructed of (and held
together by) proteins and polysaccharides commonly referred to as extracellular
polymeric substances (i.e., EPS).
After adhering to a surface, the bacteria begin secreting
the proteins and polysaccharides which are in turn used to build the protective
matrix around the bacterial colony as it grows.
This in turn acts as a “fort,” so to speak, making the colonies of
pathogens far more difficult to kill even with the strongest of
antibiotics.
These bacterial biofilms are one of the main ways bacteria are
able to defeat the effects of antibiotic drugs, other than through mutation.
Thankfully, researchers are discovering that colloidal
silver – in the form of silver ions – can effectively impair bacterial biofilms
by destabilizing the protective extracellular matrix constructed around them.
In other words, the silver ions essentially poke holes in
the walls of the bacterial “fort,” causing the walls to begin to crumble, and exposing
the pathogens hiding inside.
New Study:
Silver Ions Bust
Through Biofilms
In this
study, published in the journal Antimicrobial
Agents and Chemotherapy (Dec. 2005, American Society for Microbiology) it
was revealed that the extracellular matrix around Staphylococci epidermis biofilms have been found to be
"markedly impaired" by very low levels of silver ions.
According to the study authors, silver ions destabilize the extracellular
polymeric substances (i.e., EPS) of which the biofilm matrix is constructed and
held together.
The study authors state:
"Our AFM studies on the
intermolecular forces within the extracellular polymeric substances of S. epidermidis RP62A and S. epidermidis 1457 biofilms suggest
that the silver ions can destabilize the biofilm matrix by binding to electron
donor groups of the biological molecules.
...This leads to reductions in the
number of binding sites for hydrogen bonds and electrostatic and hydrophobic
interactions and, hence, the destabilization of the biofilm structure...
...After the addition of silver
ions and within 60 min of contact, the overall structure of the biofilm became
partially destroyed and the inner structure of biofilm was exposed.
There were also significant amounts
of EPSs around the damaged biofilm colony, confirming the effect of silver ions
on the grown biofilm matrix."
Now that’s quite a mouthful, isn’t it?
But in plain English the study authors are saying,
essentially, that the silver ions destabilize the biofilms through an
electro-chemical process that ultimately robs the biofilms of their structural
integrity.
The extracellular matrix, or “fort” that’s been constructed around
the bacterial biofilm colonies begin to fall apart, thereby exposing the
pathogens.
Importantly, the silver ions can accomplish this within 60
minutes of exposure to the biofilms, and at very low levels.
The study authors focused on two different strains of Staphylococci epidermis -- a Staph bacteria of the skin that’s very similar
to Staphylococcus aureus of MRSA fame.
Additional Evidence
of Silver’s
Ability to Eliminate
Bacterial Biofilms
Other pathogens such as Psuedomonas
aureginosa are also known to protect their colonies from the effects of
antibiotic drugs with biofilms.
In another study, this one published in the journal Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces,
(Vol. 79, Issue 2, Sept. 2010), titled “Silver Nanoparticles Impede Biofilm
Formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and Staphylococcus epidermidis”…
…it was demonstrated that a staggering 95% inhibition of
biofilm formation could be achieved within 24 hours simply by treating the Pseudomonas
microorganism with silver nanoparticles.
This may be one reason why colloidal silver is so effective against Pseudomonas
infections, as well.
Plaque on teeth is also a protective biofilm produced by
dental pathogens. Interestingly enough,
in the past, silver has also been shown -- both in animal studies and in
research for a dental patent -- to help rid teeth of plaque.
Even E. coli
bacteria have been known to produce biofilms.
And of course, E. coli is
another pathogen known to be susceptible
to the infection-fighting qualities of antimicrobial silver.
Even Works Against
Fungal Biofilms
In another study, published in the journal Biofouling, titled “Silver Colloidal
Nanoparticles: Antifungal Effect Against
Adhered Cells and Biofilms of Candida
albicans and Candida glabrata,” it
was found that silver nanoparticles exhibited fungicidal activity against two species
of fungi “at very low concentrations.”
More importantly, it was discovered that the silver nanoparticles
were effective in inhibiting biofilm
formation by these fungi – in other words, the silver prevented the fungi from
building biofilms.
However, the researchers found that in the case of these two
fungi, the silver nanoparticles were not quite as effective in breaking down existing fungal biofilm formations.
More Biofilm-Producing
Bacteria Susceptible to Silver
In a more recent study published in
June 2013 the journal Science
Translational Medicine, titled “Silver Enhances Antibiotic Activity Against
Gram-Negative Bacteria,” it was revealed by the study authors that silver
treated bacteria weren’t even able to produce a biofilm at all, and that when
drug-resistant biofilms were treated with silver, the bacterial resistance to
antibiotic drugs was completely negated.
“Overall, what we show
is that small amounts of silver, non-toxic levels, can be used in conjunction
with commonly used antibiotics to treat persistent infection and to treat
bio-film based infections, which are problematic for medical implants,” study
author Jim Collins said.
Also quite interesting is a 2001 press release from a
company called NVID International, Inc., developers of a disinfectant product
called Axenohl, which is “an ionic silver-based antimicrobial technology.”
Axenohl, composed of stabilized ionic silver, was tested in
the municipal drinking water system in Grecia, Costa Rica, which had become
non-potable (i.e., non-drinkable) due to coliform
bacteria contamination.
As a result of the use of only 78 parts per billion Axenohl
in the city’s water supply – a remarkably small amount of silver -- the
bacterial count decreased from over 200 CFU (i.e., coliform forming units) per
100 ml water to zero CFU per 100 ml
water, in only 10 days.
Moreover, “Axenohl
proved to control and reduce the presence and growth of biofilm in the piping
distribution network.”
So thanks in large part to recent research, it’s becoming
abundantly clear that in many cases, silver is able to either inhibit the
formation of bacterial biofilms, or even bust through and destroy existing
biofilms, depending upon the type of pathogen involved.
This is great
news, because it demonstrates another important quality possessed by
antimicrobial silver which is not
possessed by Big Pharma’s failing prescription antibiotic drugs.
And it offers new hope that antimicrobial silver will ultimately
be recognized as the solution to the
growing problem of drug-resistant pathogens.
Learn More…
If you’d like to learn more about the immune-boosting and
infection-fighting qualities of colloidal silver, feel free to check out some
of my other short articles by
clicking the link in this sentence.
To read how hundreds of experienced colloidal silver users have
successfully used colloidal silver for literally dozens of
different health conditions, just click the link in this sentence.
And to learn how to make your own high-quality colloidal silver, in the
comfort and privacy of your own home, for less than 36 cents a quart,
just click the link in this sentence.
Meanwhile, I’ll be back next week with another great article
on making and using colloidal silver…
Yours for the
safe, sane and responsible use of
colloidal silver,
Steve Barwick, author
The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual
The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual
Helpful Links:
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 and/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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2013 | Life & Health Research Group, LLC | PO Box 1239 | Peoria AZ 85380-1239
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