Silver: Nature’s Efficient Carrier of Nascent Oxygen

There are three known ways antimicrobial silver products such as colloidal silver kills infectious microorganisms.

Foremost among them is silver’s unique ability to carry pure nascent oxygen, and release it in the presence of pathogens thereby causing a chemical reaction called oxidation, which destroys them.

In the short article below you’ll learn more about silver’s amazing capacity to carry oxygen and release it in an “oxygen burst” in the presence of pathogens, and why this makes silver one of nature’s most efficient and effective infection-fighting agents.

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

One of the main ways colloidal silver kills pathogens is through catalytic oxidation. This means silver releases pure oxygen in the presence of pathogens, killing them much like the bubbling burst of hydrogen peroxide.

As Albert T. McManus, MD, Chief of Microbiology, Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston Army Burn Center, Houston, Texas, observes:

"Silver kills bacteria by simple catalytic reduction/oxidation by reacting with any available negative charge...Any organism that is available to the powerful catalytic activity of silver for oxidation is inactivated”.

But where does silver obtain the oxygen for oxidizing pathogens in the first place? It adsorbs (i.e., accumulates on its surface) molecular oxygen from the local environment, and then converts it to nascent oxygen, or oxygen that is highly reactive to negatively charged pathogens.

Indeed, like the mineral iron, silver is one of nature’s most efficient carriers of nascent oxygen.

As stated in the report, "The Development and Functions of Silver in Water Purification and Disease Control," by Richard L. Davies and Samuel F. Etris of The Silver Institute in Washington, DC:

"Atomic (nascent) oxygen adsorbed onto a bed of silver atoms or ions in solution readily reacts with the sulfhydryl (H) groups surrounding the surface of bacteria or viruses to remove the hydrogen atoms (removed as water) causing the sulfur atoms to form an R-S-S-R bond; respiration is blocked and the bacteria expire."

The researchers also state in the same report:

"It has long been known that oxygen is adsorbed on the surface of silver in its atomic state. Also that oxygen diffuses more freely within silver than within any other metal.

Ronald Outlaw, working at NASA/Langley, undertook a fundamental study of oxygen diffusion with the objective of producing atomic oxygen for the evaluation of the degradation of organic materials in space. He discovered the most prolific source of nascent oxygen to be metallic silver.

Atomic oxygen fits very well in the octahedral holes of gold, silver, and copper. In gold, the electron cloud of oxygen tends to be repelled by the lattice electrons of the gold atoms stopping movement through the holes. With copper, the oxide is formed resulting in a barrier.

Silver, with an almost a perfect fit, offers so little repulsion that a little thermal energy will readily move it from hole to hole.

...Molecular oxygen is present and silver readily adsorbs it converting it to nascent oxygen which is available to oxidize bacterial enzymes and other organics. Their reaction with the atomic oxygen is instantaneous."

In short, silver and oxygen go together like peanut butter and jelly!

A 2011 study titled Control of Microorganisms in Drinking Water Using Ag-Cu/C Catalysts, which was conducted by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology in conjunction with researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, draws a similar conclusion:

“Silver in its atomic state, has the capacity to absorb oxygen and act as a catalyst to bring about oxidation.

Because oxygen is more electronegative than sulfur, atomic (nascent) oxygen absorbed onto the surface of silver particles in solution will readily react with hydrogen attached to sulfur in the sulfhydryl (- S- H) groups surrounding the surface of bacteria or viruses.

The removal of hydrogen atoms (as water) causes the sulfur atoms to condense to form R- S –S- R bond. This blocks the respiration and causing the bacteria to expire.”

Put simply, this means oxygen is attracted to silver and will bond with it, and even inhabit and move within the tiny lattice-like holes or geometric indentations on its surface.

According to researchers there are other ways silver kills pathogens, such as by attaching to bacterial cell membranes and impairing cell respiration by blocking its energy transfer system, and by binding with bacterial and viral DNA, thus preventing replication of the pathogens.

But silver’s remarkable ability to adsorb atomic oxygen and carry it in the form of pure nascent oxgen that can later be released in the presence of pathogens -- much as hydrogen peroxide throws off raw oxygen when it comes into contact with pathogens -- is the secret of silver’s profound antimicrobial qualities that has interested researchers the most for decades.

This is why Dr. Stephen West, DL, PMD (son of Dr. C. Samuel West, DN, ND, renowned chemist and internationally recognized lymphologist), concludes, “Silver ions stimulate the lymphatic system by cleaning out the dead cells and bringing oxygen to the healthy cells.”

While this is a complex biological process involving the body’s Reticuloendothelial System (also known as RES) – a subset of the lymphatic system – it can be explained in layman’s terms. As I wrote in my book, The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual, which is now the world’s bestselling book on colloidal silver:

“Lymph fluid is very sensitive to pH changes, and if it becomes too acidic, fungi and bacteria spontaneously develop and grow. To prevent this from happening, excessive acidic waste is removed from the body via the Reticuloendothelial System (RES), which can be thought of as a subset of the lymphatic system.

The RES is an essential part of the lymphatic system, comprised of the thymus, bone marrow and lymphoid tissues. It’s basically a storage, exchange and elimination system that helps the body remove acidic waste and toxins.

Sometimes the RES can be overwhelmed with toxins and acidic waste. This is another way in which silver ions are believed to support the immune system. Not only do silver ions have proven antimicrobial properties to fight the fungi and bacteria growth in the lymph fluid, silver ions also carry nascent oxygen on their surface. When the silver attacks a microorganism, this oxygen is released.

This can aid the RES in two ways; 1) extra oxygen helps restore the natural pH of the lymph fluid and 2) oxygen helps oxidize toxic waste. Any leftover oxygen would eventually be picked up by the hemoglobin in red blood cells and thus becomes available for other oxygen dependent needs in the body such as cellular respiration.

RES is also responsible for stimulating the immune response, thus protecting the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms.

It should be noted that while white blood cells can destroy cancer cells, viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, if there is excess fluid built up in the tissue (failure of RES) and/or a lack of oxygen, white blood cells cannot function properly!

This is another very important way in which silver ions are believed to support the lymphatic system, simply by providing additional oxygen to live cells and helping to oxidize dead cells.”

Highly Oxygen-Charged, Submicroscopic Silver Particles

While virtually all colloidal silver products are effective to one degree or another, it should be obvious that the most effective ones would be those in which the tiny, sub-microscopic silver particles are highly charged with oxygen.

But very few colloidal silver manufacturers bother to take steps to increase the amount of oxygen being carried by the silver particles in their products.

Indeed, in many cases, the production methods used to manufacture colloidal silver actually dramatically limit the amount of oxygen available to be adsorbed by the silver. That’s because most colloidal silver manufacturers use a closed-system manufacturing process designed to keep air out while the colloidal silver is being generated. Some even brag about using such a closed system…why I’ll probably never understand!

On the other hand, the new Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator from TheSilverEdge.com is specifically designed to dramatically boost the oxygen content of the colloidal silver as it’s being made.

Unlike conventional colloidal silver generators, the Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator includes a built-in bubbler mechanism that constantly bubbles air into the solution during the entire colloidal silver-making process.

This robust bubbling action dramatically reduces the buildup of electrolysis during the colloidal silver-making process, thus preventing the silver particles from bonding into larger particle agglomerates.

This means you get the tiniest, sub-microscopic silver particles possible in every batch.

But perhaps more importantly, the bubbling action also infuses the tiny, sub-microscopic silver particles with the highest charge of oxygen possible.

The result? Well, you can read the oft-time astonishing results for yourself on the Testimonials page at TheSilverEdge.com web site.

The Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator from TheSilveredge.com allows you to make all of the colloidal silver you could ever need, quickly and easily, in the comfort and privacy of your own home, for less than 36 cents a quart!

No wonder it’s been the #1 bestselling colloidal silver generator in the world for ten years running!

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

Steve Barwick, author
The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual

*The above quotes were excerpted from the report, "The Development and Functions of Silver in Water Purification and Disease Control," by Richard L. Davies and Samuel F. Etris. The Silver Institute, Washington DC.

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Meet Steve Barwick

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.

Copyright 2012 | Life & Health Research Group, LLC | PO Box 1239 | Peoria AZ 85380-1239 | All rights reserved

Can Colloidal Silver Help With Altitude Sickness?

Can Colloidal Silver Help With Altitude Sickness?

I received a note from our good friend Gary Scott the other day, who stated that one of his readers had used a commercial colloidal silver solution to beat back a nasty lingering case of altitude sickness.

Now that’s strange, I thought to myself, because colloidal silver is generally associated with fighting infections and boosting immunity. But the more I pondered the claim, the more I realized that treating altitude sickness is a perfectly logical use for colloidal silver.

Why?

First of all, because altitude sickness is caused by the change in air pressure at high altitudes, which results in an oxygen-deprived environment within the human body – such as that frequently experienced during long plane flights, mountain climbing, or visits to geographical areas situated at high altitudes .

Fortunately, silver particles are known carriers of nascent oxygen.

In other words, once ingested, electrically generated colloidal silver rather rapidly carries nascent oxygen throughout the body to all of its tissues and cells.

In fact, it is widely thought to be the “oxygen burst” that takes place when a silver particle comes into contact with a pathogen that renders the pathogen inoperative (see “3 Ways Colloidal Silver Stops Pathogens From Causing Infections”). Such is the richness of the oxygen content of a single particle of silver!

Altitude Sickness

Symptoms of altitude sickness can include incessant fatigue, general malaise, muscular and bodily weakness, headache, dizziness, edema (swelling), respiratory distress and the feeling that you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Interestingly, these are the very same effects of oxygen-deprivation caused by other factors such as a stroke, heart attack, and drowning or suffocation, etc.

So for mild to moderate cases of altitude sickness, it would seem that ingestion of small amounts of colloidal silver could very well be helpful. After all, even just a teaspoonful of colloidal silver carries literally billions of tiny, submicroscopic silver particles, each saturated with nascent oxygen and able to be absorbed by the body directly into its oxygen starved tissues and cells.

(See this link to examine a slide taken by Transmission Electron Microscopy showing the number of tiny, submicroscopic, oxygen-laden silver particles in a single drop of micro-particle colloidal silver.)

Anaerobic Pathogens

Another important thing to remember is that many pathogens are anaerobic, meaning they thrive in an oxygen-deprived environment, while the body’s beneficial bacteria are generally aerobic, meaning they thrive in an oxygen-rich environment.

Anaerobic pathogens reside in the human body all of the time, just like the beneficial aerobic bacteria. They’re all part of the normal microbial environment of the body.

But the anaerobic pathogens tend to be kept in check by the body’s immune system, as well as by competitive inhibition from the body’s normal healthy populations of beneficial aerobic bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus and others.

However, in an oxygen-deprived environment such as that characterized by altitude sickness, dramatic overgrowths of the anaerobic pathogens can take place. Why? Because typically the immune system does not work very well in an oxygen-deprived environment, which means anaerobic pathogens can proliferate more effectively throughout the body.

What’s more, an oxygen-starved system gives the anaerobic pathogens the upper hand over the body’s beneficial aerobic bacteria which would normally keep them in check.

Such an overgrowth of anaerobic pathogens can trigger many of the symptoms associated with altitude sickness. Indeed, it has been documented that altitude sickness often goes hand in hand with infections! (See “Symptoms of infection and altitude illness among hikers in the Mount Everest region of Nepal” at this link.)

What’s more, people with pre-existing infections (even minor respiratory infections) may be more prone to altitude sickness, indicating that altitude sickness may be directly tied to lowered immune system function. According to faqs.org, in an article on altitude sickness, “Individuals with preexisting medical conditions--even a minor respiratory infection--may become sick at more moderate altitudes.”

Of course, colloidal silver has long been known to be an effective immune system booster. Dr. Robert O. Becker, M.D., during his groundbreaking research into electrically generated silver ions at Syracuse Medical University during the 1980’s found that people with low levels of silver in their bodies tend to become sick with infections more frequently and the duration of their illnesses generally lasted longer than people with higher levels of silver in their bodies!

I find it quite interesting that the symptoms of altitude sickness are almost identical to symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, which of course is widely believed to be caused by underlying infections of opportunistic "stealth pathogens" such as mycoplasmas, candida yeast, Epstein-Barre virus, cytomegalovirus, and others.

Of course, colloidal silver’s incredible effectiveness against bacterial infections, fungal infections and even viral infections is well-known.

And so it would seem that this may be another reason why colloidal silver proved helpful to Gary’s reader who was suffering from altitude sickness. The oxygen deprivation his body was suffering from may have allowed an underlying infection to take hold, which in turn exacerbated his symptoms. The colloidal silver may have not only helped restore crucial oxygen levels to the cells and tissues, and boosted immunity, but also knocked out a budding infection that was exacerbating the situation.

An Interesting Patented Product

As further evidence of colloidal silver's effectiveness on altitude sickness and other similar respiratory distresses, take a look at the patent displayed at this site:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7087250.html

At the above link you’ll find a patent for a commercial product called “Smog Check® Silver Reserve.” This product is apparently not yet on the market. But what’s interesting is that it uses a combination of colloidal silver and certain herbs to alleviate adverse respiratory symptoms in the human body caused by exposure to excessive smog. That’s very similar to the problem of altitude sickness, due to the oxygen deprivation involved in both issues.

Note carefully what the patent says about the product:

“In addition the commercial incarnation of this herbal composition referred to as SMOG CHECK® SILVER RESERVE has been found to benefit smokers, athletes and those who suffer from altitude sickness as it enhances the ability of the lung to employ oxygen and has been found to be safe and effective for long term use.

This product is provided in handy bottled form including an administering device normally in eye dropper form or spray and is to be taken typically before enduring any exposure to or episode occurring from adverse respiratory conditions.

A practical application for use of this composition is suggested during airplane flights of any duration to boost or enhance the immune system from attack by airborne irritants.

In addition to those benefits listed above, this novel composition has been found to be an aid to those with sinus congestion, lung congestion, bacterial or viral infections, stress symptoms, inflammation and circulatory problems.

This therapeutic respiratory composition has been found to enhance antibacterial action, antiviral action, antiallergenic action, improve oxygenation, provide antihistamine action, act as an antioxidant, enhance stress alleviation, provide enhanced anti-inflammatory action, reduce coughing and mucous production, increase circulation and enhance antimicrobial action.”

So we see from the above that there is actually a patent on a commercial product for using colloidal silver in combination with herbs to relieve symptoms of altitude sickness, excessive exposure to smog, and other problems generally known to be associated with oxygen-deprivation and respiratory distress.

Is Lung Function Suppressed

In Cases of Altitude Sickness?

The fact that many who suffer from altitude sickness often claim they have problems drawing a breath after physical exertion makes me wonder if lung function is not also suppressed in cases of altitude sickness.

In this light, it’s interesting to me that colloidal silver has also been shown to be extremely helpful in some cases of cystic fibrosis (see study here) – a severe chronic inflammation of the lungs resulting in chronic lung infections, shortness of breath and ultimately death.

Silver Aids the Body in Many Vital Functions

Silver performs many other vital functions in the human body, including stimulating the body's all-important lymphatic system, which may be suppressed in cases of altitude sickness.

According to Dr. Stephen West, DL, PMD, son of Dr. C. Samuel West, DN, ND, renowned chemist and internationally recognized lymphologist:

“Silver ions stimulate the lymphatic system by cleaning out the dead cells and bringing oxygen to the healthy cells.”

Again, much like iron, silver has the capacity to carry nascent oxygen throughout the human body. As revealed in chapter 10 of the Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual:

"Not only do silver ions have proven antimicrobial properties to fight the fungi and bacteria growth in the lymph fluid, silver ions also carry nascent oxygen on their surface. When the silver attacks a microorganism, or comes into contact with lower valence minerals, this oxygen is released. This can aid the RES lymphatic system in two ways; 1) extra oxygen helps restore the natural pH of the lymph fluid and 2) oxygen helps oxidize toxic waste. Any leftover oxygen would eventually be picked up by the hemoglobin in red blood cells and thus becomes available for other oxygen dependent needs in the body such as cellular respiration."

The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual goes on to document the fact that silver has long been known to aid the human body in the production of our crucial white and red blood cells, and boost immune system function.

Of course, white blood cells are crucial to immune system function, and red blood cells are crucial to our body’s oxygen carrying capacity. In boosting production of white and red blood cells, silver both boosts immunity and the oxygen capacity of the human body.

Here's some more eye-opening quotes from the The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual:

"Silver’s ability to aid the immune system has been well documented for more than 100 years. For example, in 1909, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that electrically generated silver ions increased white blood cell production.

As we noted earlier in our overview of the human immune system, white blood cells are critical factors in human immunity, aiding the body in the destruction of cancer cells, viruses, bacteria, and other invaders.

In 1939, researchers Hill and Pillsbury made similar findings, demonstrating an increase in white blood cells after silver usage. [See: Hill, WR, D Pillsbury, Argyria: The Pharmacology of Silver, The Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore, 1939; p. 48.]

And over fifty years later, researchers Remes and Williams found that silver ions appear to “prime” white blood cells to go on the offense against a variety of biological insults. [See Remes, A, Williams, DF, “Neutrophil Polarization and Immunoelectrophoresis Assays in the Study of Complement Activation by Biomaterials,” Biomaterials, Aug 1991; 12(6):607-13.]

In 1919 Dr. H. Bechold, writing in “Colloids in Biology and Medicine,” cited evidence that silver ions increased both red and white blood cell counts.

While white blood cells are the defenders of the body, red blood cells carry life-giving oxygen to all tissues and organs. So silver apparently aids in both immune defense and in the support of life itself, by boosting both our body’s red and white blood cells counts.

In their study Argyria - The Pharmacology of Silver (Williams & Wilkins, 1939), researchers W. Hill & D. Pillsbury reported that 16 rabbits were injected with silver of arsphenamine at intervals from three to seven days. (The silver content of the drug was 14.5%.) A majority of the rabbits showed a gradual increase in oxygen-carrying hemoglobin and red blood cells during the experiment.

In more recent studies, such as Treatment of Orthopedic Infections with Electrically Generated Silver Ions by Dr. Robert O. Becker, M.D., it is reported that silver ions give a healthy boost to human blood cell production. This may be related to the fact that silver is a “transitional element” giving it the ability to form complex ions. This attribute gives silver the potential to interact on a cellular level in the same way as other complex ions such as vitamin B-12, chlorophyll, and heme (iron), a component of red blood cells.

More recently, researchers Berger, Marino and Spadaro confirmed that electrically generated silver ions boost human blood cell production.

These findings lead to the obvious conclusion that while low white blood cell counts open the door to serious immune system risks, and low red blood cells lead to oxygen starvation of the body’s tissues and organs, electrically generated silver ions may help successfully counter these risks by stimulating both white and red blood cell production."

The Bottom Line...

As you can see, silver is widely known to aid many important biological functions, including those having to do with oxygenating the human body. The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual goes on to document that silver:

· Stimulates white blood cell production, thus boosting the body’s ability to attack cancers and pathogenic microorganisms.

· “Primes” white blood cells to go on the offensive against harmful foreign invaders.

· Stimulates red blood cell production, thus boosting life-giving oxygenation of the body’s cells, tissues and organs.

· Stimulates the reticulo-endothelial system, also known as RES, which allows the body to purge itself of harmful wastes and toxins.

· Stimulates the production of ROS (reactive oxygen species), thus helping the body rid itself of toxins and foreign invaders through oxidation.

So we can see many ways that colloidal silver may indeed prove to be helpful in cases of a condition like altitude sickness, in which immune system function may be compromised, a low-level underlying infection may exist, and the body may be experiencing oxygen-deprivation.

Learn More...

To learn more about colloidal silver and its usage, be sure and get a copy of the newly updated, 547-page version of the Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual, and read it from cover to cover.

Or, get a copy of the inexpensive new, studio-quality, full-color 60-minute Colloidal Silver Secrets video, featuring television personality Kristyn Burtt interviewing yours truly on the many benefits of colloidal silver and how to use it for maximum success against illness and disease.

Finally...

If you haven't done so already, be sure to act now to obtain a brand new Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator from The Silver Edge, so you can make your own high-quality micro-particle colloidal silver for less than 36 cents a quart, rather than paying greedy health food store vendors $20 or $30 for a tiny four-ounce bottle.

Once you own the means of colloidal silver production, you'll be able to produce all of the safe, natural, micro-particle colloidal silver you want, quickly and easily, in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

And you'll be able to do so for the rest of your life, for less than 36 cents a quart compared to health food store prices that are literally hundreds of times that amount.

Regards and great health!

Steve Barwick

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