Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Healing Acne with Colloidal Silver

 Learn more about the powerful infection-fighting qualities of colloidal silver at www.TheSilverEdge.com
Colloidal silver is nature’s safe, natural antimicrobial.  As such, many users claim it makes the perfect substitute for the potentially harmful, chemical-laden and sometimes caustic acne medications and prescription antibiotic drugs so often used to treat persistent acne. 

Here’s what you need to know about using colloidal silver to help your body heal pimples, boils, blackheads, whiteheads and acne outbreaks in general, quickly, easily and effectively…

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

Some may laugh it off saying zits, blackheads and whiteheads are just life’s cruel joke designed to crush adolescent enthusiasm.  But in reality, acne can be a serious matter for both teens and adults alike. 

It’s true that to a teenager there’s nothing more devastating than waking up in the morning and finding you have a third eye growing on your forehead.  Indeed, one should never forget the emotional and physical pain these unsightly blemishes can cause.

The way I remember it, the more important the day was too me (i.e., school pictures, important date, etc.) the greater the chance of developing a monster. I would run to the bathroom and pull out every acne product I had, and cover it with thick paste of goop. Then peering into the mirror I would watch and wait for some sign of the offending zit’s demise.

I would try to resist the urge to squeeze it, knowing it would only result in an even more unsightly wound.  But the urge was often too great. In the end I would give in to my instinct to destroy the alien creature that landed on my face in the middle of the night. I never really understood how or why pimples formed. Like most teenagers, I hated and feared their arrival. 

In the course of this article you’re going to learn why you need not hate nor fear acne outbreaks any longer, thanks to a safe, natural substance known as colloidal silver which helps heal acne outbreaks in four important ways.  More on that in just a moment. 

But first, let’s take a closer look at the plague of acne, learn why acne outbreaks take place, and why even adults into their 40s, 50s and 60s are now being afflicted with this troublesome condition.

Acne:  It’s Not Just for Teens Anymore!

For some unfortunate souls, acne is not just a youthful phase but rather an ongoing torture, even into adulthood.  Indeed, it appears there’s been a gradual but quite dramatic rise in the number of cases of adult onset acne since the late 1970s.  And today, adult onset acne is afflicting more men and women today than ever before.

In fact, according to this study, published in the British Medical Journal way back in 1979, facial acne affected only 3% of men and 5% of women after age 40. 

But the researchers also discovered that the average age of clinical acne cases had increased from age 18 to age 26 – this, in just a few short years.  And doctors were seeing significant increases in cases of adult onset acne in both men and women well into their 40s! 

The study authors speculated at the time that “the surprisingly high prevalence of acne in adults may be related to antibiotic treatment.”  In other words, way back in the 1970’s researchers were speculating that the use of antibiotic drugs to treat acne may have been allowing acne-related bacteria to mutate and grow stronger and more prevalent, reaching further into the adult population than it previously had.

Today, nearly 35 years later, a whopping “25% of adult men and 50% of adult women” are affected by stubborn acne outbreaks at some point in their adult lives, according to an article on Acne.org.  What’s more, “One-third of adults affected with facial acne also have acne on their back and body.”

The article goes on to say, “For still unknown reasons, people seem to be struggling with acne into their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond.  Dermatologists find themselves seeing more adult acne patients than in previous decades.” 

In other words, the increase in adult onset acne noticed by researchers back in the late 1970’s has now skyrocketed.  And since antibiotic drugs like tetracycline, doxycycline and others have been used for decades to treat stubborn acne outbreaks it begs the question could this dramatic rise in cases of adult acne be yet another example of the over use of antibiotic medications?

Well, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), that may well be the case. . .

Antibiotic use, appropriate or otherwise, contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance. This is true for acne medications that contain antibiotics.

Short and long-term use of antibiotics for treatment or prevention of bacterial infections should be under the direction of a physician to ensure appropriate use and detection of resistance.”

In other words, the more antibiotic drugs are used against acne, the more resistant (and resilient) the acne-causing bacteria have become.  And thus they can spread easier into the adult population.

As promised, in just a moment we’ll discuss colloidal silver, a safe, natural alternative to the use of chemical-laden acne drugs and prescription antibiotics.  And we’ll see exactly why so many acne sufferers are finding it to be highly effective, even in stubborn cases of teenage acne as well as adult onset acne.  But first…

What Really Causes Acne?

According to an article on HowStuffWorks.com, acne results when the pores of the skin become plugged with dead skin cells and an oily substance produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands called sebum

These plugged up skin pores in turn make the environment of the skin extremely conducive to bacterial overgrowth.  It’s like turning your skin into a laboratory Petri dish.  As the article on HowStuffWorks.com explains:

Acne occurs when several things happen inside the pores. First, the sebaceous glands produce too much oil.

Then, as the pore's lining naturally renews itself, it sheds dead cells. These cells -- not the cells on the surface of the skin -- combine with sebum to create a plug. The result is an enlarged, blocked pore called a comedo.

If the plug stays beneath the surface of the skin, it causes a whitehead. If it reaches the surface of the skin, it causes a blackhead. If the walls of the pore break down, the result is a pimple, also called a pustule.

Plugged pores create a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which causes pain, inflammation and swelling. The bacteria and oil can also create deep, painful areas called cysts, which can lead to scarring.

Meet the Acne Bacterium

In short, when the pores of the skin become plugged up with guck, they also become conducive to harboring colonies of various bacteria – including Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis and sometimes even Staphylococcus aureus

Propionibacterium acnes is a common bacterium found in the many nooks and crannies on human skin.

Interestingly, the size of these colonies varu with age. Researchers have discovered that colonization begins a few months after birth, but only in relatively small concentrations. Years later as we approach puberty and the environment of the skin changes, colonies of the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria can explode into a full grown empire.

While Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus are present in acne as well, researchers have mixed opinions regarding the extent to which either of these pathogens are involved as a causative agent in acne outbreaks. 

For example, one clinical study titled “Staphylococcus aureus in Acne Pathogenesis:  A Case-Control Study,” published in the North American Journal of Medical Sciences, begins by saying “There is considerable evidence which suggests a possible pathogenic role for Staphylococcus aureus in acne vulgaris” [i.e., adult onset acne]. 

Ominously, the study further states that “Most Staphylococcus aureus isolates in the acne group were resistant to doxycycline and tetracycline.”  (Doxycycline and tetracycline, of course, being the two main antibiotic drugs being used by doctors to treat severe and persistent acne for decades -- ED) 

But the study ends with the researchers claiming the role of Staphylococcus aureus in acne is still “controversial” and that more research is needed.  Well, of course.  That’s what researchers do:  more research. 

According to an entry on Wikipedia.com, the other form of Staph bacteria that lives on human skin, Staphylococcus epidermis, is also implicated in acne outbreaks: 

“Preliminary research also indicates Staphylococcus epidermidis is universally found inside affected acne vulgaris skin pores, where Propionibacterium acnes is normally the sole resident.” 

In other words, there’s at least some evidence that acne results when Staphylococcus epidermidis begins to move in and colonize skin pores normally colonized by Propionibacterium acnes.

And while Staphylococcus epidermidis is almost universally considered by researchers to be a rather benign bacterium, one clinical study from May 2000, published in the Journal of Dermatology, demonstrated that “More than 30% of Staphylococcus epidermis isolates [from acne lesions] were resistant to antibiotics such as erythromycin, roxithromycin, and clindamycin.”  

So regardless of which pathogens actually exacerbate acne, I certainly don’t want these potentially drug-resistant superpathogens growing out-of-control on my face! 

Skin Care First and Foremost

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that in order to fully understand the cause of acne you must realize it’s not caused by any single element, such as a bacterium. There’s no such thing as an “acne germ” plaguing humanity as it spreads its unsightly and destructive offspring around the world. 

Instead, acne is caused by a host of changes on the skin that can result in the perfect environment for common skin bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermis and even Staphylococcus aureus to thrive and spread. 

To resolve acne, you must learn to control the conditions that lead to the formation of pimples. Think of yourself as a farmer of beauty, and think of your skin as your field. If you want a beautiful healthy crop of flowers on your field, you’ll need to make caring for the field a top priority.  If not, it will be taken over by noxious weeds!

In other words, start thinking in terms of what you need to do in order to cultivate an environment that is conducive to healthy skin as opposed to an environment conducive to the growth of pathogens such as Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus.

There are four main things experts say need to be done in order to help create an environment on the skin that is not conducive to acne outbreaks:

#1:  Drink lots of fresh, pure water! 

Water is not only important for proper hydration of skin cells, it’s essential in removing waste and toxins from the blood. White blood cells that die fighting off pathogens as well as the toxins produced by these pathogens must be removed from the body.

This includes the pathogens that are associated with acne! If you don’t get enough water, the body’s natural cleansing processes can be dramatically circumvented.

#2:  Eliminate excessive sweets, refined carbohydrates and processed foods from your diet. 

To put it simply, sugars and processed foods have a high glycemic index which can lead to inflammation of hair follicles that result in sebum blockages which in turn leads to more pimples. 

A 2002 study in the Archives of Dermatology demonstrated that people who eat a diet of fresh plant foods and lean meat have few to no pimples, whereas people with similar genetic makeup living in Western countries, eating a diet rich in refined carbohydrates (i.e., sugars) and processed foods developed dramatically more acne. 

#3:  Practice proper skin cleansing and moisturizing. 

Experts say you should clean your skin at least twice a day, to remove excess oils and dirt that can clog pores.  But avoid harsh alkaline soaps like bath soaps as they can destroy the *acid-mantle, the natural barrier that forms on our skin and helps protect our tissue from bacterial, fungal and viral infections. 

Some people swear by expensive moisturizing colloidal silver soaps, such as Cor Silver Soap, or Cyclic Nano Silver Cleanser, which are available on Amazon.com and can range between $39 to $120 a bar.  Based upon the numerous positive anecdotal accounts I’ve seen, these pricey soaps must really work. 

However, for those of us not made of money, a really good colloidal silver soap, with some phenomenal moisturizers in it as well, is Silver Miracles Original Colloidal Soap, which sells for under $10 a bar (see here) and which I've used for years to keep my skin in great condition.   

#4:   If additional moisturizing is needed, use a “noncomedogenic” moisturizer. 

Keep in mind that heavy, oily moisturizers can contribute to clogged pores and lead to further outbreaks. 

All dermatologists agree that keeping your skin properly moisturized and maintaining a healthy *acid-mantle is essential to preventing acne and other skin problems from developing.

So it’s important to use only skin moisturizers that are pH balanced and specifically designed to aid in building a healthy skin environment. 

* It’s important to note that colloidal silver will NOT disrupt the natural pH barrier of the acid mantle, because it is slightly acidic and will actually support it by helping to kill pathogenic organisms.

Can Colloidal Silver Help?

In my book, The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual, I recount the story of a young teen my wife and I personally knew, who very successfully used colloidal silver to beat a stubborn and persistent case of facial acne:

“A friend of ours had a teenage grandson who suffered with terrible facial acne.  Nothing they tried would help.  No over-the-counter medications worked.  And the doctor’s prescription drugs didn’t work either. 

We gave our friend a bottle of 10 ppm colloidal silver and she had her grandson put some into a small fine-mist pump spray bottle so he could spray it directly onto his acne outbreaks two or three times a day and allow it to air dry each time.  She also had her grandson drink about one ounce of colloidal silver each day, orally.

It took him about three weeks to get rid of the vast majority of his acne.  Then he stopped using the colloidal silver, finding that he only needed it on an occasional basis after that. 

For example, if he saw an acne outbreak starting, he’d nip it in the bud by starting up his topical and internal colloidal silver regimen again for a few days until the outbreak would go away.

In this manner he changed virtually overnight from a young teen with what seemed to be interminable facial acne, including large angry red and purplish inflamed pimples that covered his face from his jawbone to his cheeks, to a very handsome and smooth-skinned young man.”

Here are a few more real-life accounts from people who have witnessed first-hand just how effective colloidal silver can be against acne!

A reader named Dale T. wrote some time back to say he'd cured his cat of feline infectious peritonitis by giving him an eyedropper full of colloidal silver orally, several times a day.  He ended his letter by saying:

"Two young teens in our neighborhood find the same formula very effective in controlling their acne. The best testimony stems from their respective mothers coming back for more!”   

In other words, simply taking a few eyedroppers full of colloidal silver orally each day apparently helped heal the acne of these two teens. 

Another reader wrote as follows: 

"When I have adult acne breakouts, I will spray a light mist all over my face after washing. I do this daily after showering or washing my face, and within a couple of days, my face is much more clear."

And another reader wrote:

"My girlfriend has noticed a huge improvement in healing her acne with colloidal silver. At some point soon we could provide ‘before and after’ photos to prove how amazing the results have been so far.

…we have found that using a soaked piece of gauze pad with colloidal silver on it held on the trouble spots overnight produces the best results vs. spraying it on several times daily."

Now that’s a completely different technique, and one that we’ve heard from many colloidal silver users works for very stubborn cases of acne. 

Finally, a reader from Oregon wrote:

"Our teenager had acne and sprayed colloidal silver on her forehead each day, and the acne cleared up. Colloidal silver is now a daily regimen for our family."

As you can see, different people have had different experiences using colloidal silver against acne, but so far, all positive. 

·       Some acne sufferers noticed dramatic results simply by taking colloidal silver orally, as a daily nutritional supplement. 

·       Others sprayed colloidal silver onto their acne outbreaks several times a day. 

·       And still others experienced successful results by wetting gauze pads with colloidal silver and laying them over the affected areas at bedtime. 

Some of the best results I’ve personally witnessed, in which very stubborn and persistent acne outbreaks have been healed, are from people who have combined these methods. 

For example, one individual I know who suffered from a persistent and particularly inflamed acne outbreak on his neck and cheeks took one-half ounce of 10 ppm colloidal silver orally, twice per day. 

And throughout the day, whenever convenient, he would use a small pump spray bottle with a fine mist nozzle to spray his acne outbreaks with a light mist of colloidal silver, allowing it to air dry.  Often, he did this four or five times a day.

Then, at night, he would wet several cotton balls with colloidal silver and use them to clean his entire face, as well as his neck.

And for the first five days of this treatment regimen, he would wet gauze pads in 10 ppm colloidal silver and apply them over the most inflamed areas while laying in bed and reading, before bedtime. 

Within two weeks, one of the most severe acne outbreaks I’ve ever seen – which had proven resistant to all over-the-counter acne treatments and doctor treatments – was gone.  And it was all thanks to colloidal silver! 

Even More Successful Results…

Not too long ago, William O. posted to the Colloidal Silver Secrets Group on Facebook, “Ionic silver is brilliant for acne. Couple of sprays every day and it’s gone in a couple of days.”

While searching the internet for additional information on this topic, I found this testimonial on the alkalizeforhealth.net website:

"I have had adult-onset acne since my 20's (face, neck, chest & back).  I went through everything -- antibiotics, ointments and gels, accutane (several times) -- but nothing would make it stay away for good. 

I became known as the "turtleneck queen" because I tried to hide my acned neck under turtlenecks (all year round - they do have short sleeves for summer). 

BUT after spraying the colloidal silver on my face and body for about a month, I started to notice that the acne gradually was going away and wasn't coming back!!!  Wow, it was a miracle for me! 

After using it for 2 years now, I just take it for granted.  I can wear all kinds of tops now because I have no acne to hide anymore.  My dermatologist noticed it as well.  I told him what I had been doing with the colloidal silver and he was amazed… At least acne is one thing I no longer have to worry about."

I also found this testimonial on the Utopia Silver website:

"My 17 year old son has suffered with acne for 2 years. He has been on many costly prescription drugs for lengthy intervals. Nothing has helped.

The dermatologists suggested he go on accutane as a last resort. After reading the terrible side effects from accutane my son and I agreed it was not worth the risk.

I had heard very little about colloidal silver but somehow stumble upon your website. I read your info and figured it was worth a try since nothing else had worked and the side effects and cost were nil compared to accutane.

I am happy to report that after 1 month on your colloidal silver product (1 TSP. orally and 2X topically a day) my sons skin is almost perfect.  He doesn't have any new breakouts and his skin is healing beautifully.

Not only that, but he escaped the flu that many of his friends have suffered from!  Thank You so much!!"

The following real-life account was also on the Utopia Silver website:

"I had a coworker who was plagued by adult acne, had tried everything, and had made an appointment with a dermatologist to ask to go on acutane.

 I told her about the side effects of acutane and asked her to let me bring her a spray bottle of colloidal silver that I always keep on hand. I asked her to give it a two week trial before she went to the doctor.

I also told her how my daughter, who was in a state beauty pageant, had broken out in a horrible case of acne all over her face just a week and a half before the pageant and used colloidal silver.

Her skin was clear for the pageant and she came in first runner-up and got a nice scholarship.

I told my co-worker to take two teaspoons twice a day orally and spray it on her face directly after washing her face.

Her doctor appointment was scheduled for after the two week period, so she said she would try my method.

At the end of that time, her skin was clear and she cancelled the appointment! She uses colloidal silver faithfully now and looks beautiful."

And I found this one on the health2us.com website:

“My best friend, at age 32 had severe adult acne and tried many creams with no real results.

I had her taking colloidal silver internally and the acne was little affected.

At my suggestion, she started cleaning her face twice daily with a cotton ball moistened with 5 PPM ionic colloidal silver and in just 2 days the results were vividly clear -- an 80% improvement!

Upon stopping treatment (she though she got rid of it) the red blemishes reappeared.

Acne is apparently an external infection and thus internal consumption had little effect and continued external treatment is required, although now after 6 months she can be much more lax in cleansing her face." 

Here’s a personal account from Acne.org, from a person exhorting her fellow acne sufferers to try colloidal silver:

“I have officially stopped all acne creams pills and everything. I did some research into colloidal silver liquid and found that it works like no other acne med to clear acne.

I went out and bought some and applied it all over my face this morning and again this evening and OMG you would not believe it, my spots have shrunk to almost nothing.

This stuff is seriously amazing!!!

Silver was used many years ago as a natural antimicrobial before antibiotics were created, and is said to heal many ailments.

I’m not entirely sure how it works but all I can say is please try it. I have tried everything and never experienced results like this in such a short space of time.”

According to natural living author Sarah Rachel, on the Yahoo Voices Beauty page:

“Colloidal silver acne treatments are a simple way to clear up acne fast.

When colloidal sliver is combined with specific lifestyle changes it can dramatically improve acne...

…You can use colloidal silver topically twice per day after you have cleansed your skin.

Simply spray the silver all of your face and avoid touching your face. The silver works both internally and externally to rid your body of bacteria and viruses.”

How To Use Colloidal Silver to Prevent and Treat Acne

As you can see from the above real-life accounts, the procedure for using colloidal silver to prevent and treat acne outbreaks is really quite simple.

There are no prescriptions involved.  And there’s no great cost in time or money to rid yourself of this problem.

If you have a small pump spray bottle with a fine mist nozzle, a few ounces of colloidal silver and a minute of your time, you have the solution to your problem at hand.  (Small, glass pump spray bottles are often available at health food stores.  Or they can be purchased online at some of the sources listed in this article).  

From the first-hand and second-hand reports I’ve received, what most acne sufferers do is this: 

After following a good skin cleansing either with a mild colloidal silver soap, or with liquid colloidal silver on a cotton ball, simply spray 10 ppm strength liquid colloidal silver over your entire acne outbreak and the adjoining skin, and allow it to air dry.

You can follow up by taking just a tablespoon or two of colloidal silver orally, up to twice per day, to help aid your immune system in reducing the colonization of your skin by various bacterium.  The colloidal silver taken orally will be carried to the skin pores via sweat and natural internal moisturizing of the skin, helping to reduce bacterial colonization from the inside out.

At night, after washing your face again either with colloidal silver soap or with a cotton ball soaked in liquid colloidal silver, you can also place a gauze bandage soaked in colloidal silver directly over a persistent pimple or a group of stubborn pimples.  Lay back and watch TV or read a book for 20 to 30 minutes or longer while allowing the colloidal silver to work its magic. 

Based on the reports by others, you should be able to start seeing at least minor visible results within 48 hours.  And depending upon the severity of your outbreaks, significant remission within a week. 

You can judge whether or not you need to continue the colloidal silver treatment by the progress you’re making. 

So whether you’re a teenager on a search-and-destroy mission trying to eliminate your archenemy the ‘Zitoids,’ or an adult looking for some relief from the scar-producing blemishes of adult onset acne, colloidal silver is something you definitely need to have in your anti-acne arsenal. 

Why does colloidal silver work so well against acne?  According to colloidal silver advocates, there are basically four reasons:

Reason #1:  Colloidal silver kills bacterial pathogens

In clinical studies, various forms of antimicrobial silver have already been proven to be effective against Propionibacterium acnes as well as the Staphylococcus family of bacteria. 

For example, in this clinical study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection in March 2013, it was documented that wound dressings impregnated with antimicrobial silver were highly effective against Propionibacterium acnes

According to the researchers, “The in-vitro data demonstrated that the silver-containing wound dressing was bactericidal against Propionibacterium acnes, it maintained its killing effect over a prolonged period (seven days)…”

In other words, the antimicrobial silver killed the Propionibacterium pathogen, and continued killing it for seven days.

Another clinical study evaluated how effective silver nanoparticles are against antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis as well as other drug-resistant bacterial strains.  The study authors found silver to be extremely effective, stating:

“The silver nanoparticles were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against different pathogenic organisms.

The most sensitive antimicrobial activity has been observed against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus followed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus pyogenes.”

As you can see, silver demonstrated antimicrobial activity against even the drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis.

[* Numerous additional clinical studies demonstrating the profound effectiveness of colloidal silver against pathogenic microbes can be found here.]

The bottom line is that silver has been clinically demonstrated to be extremely effective against the specific pathogens implicated in the onset of acne. 

Reason #2:  Colloidal silver helps boost immunity

Your immune system is your body’s primary defense against pathogenic microorganisms, including the ones associated with acne. 

So could persistent and severer outbreaks of acne be a sign that something might be wrong with your immune system?

Well, according to the good folks at WebMD acne outbreaks can indeed be a symptom of a weakened immune system.

“When the immune system weakens, the body finds itself unable to fight toxic substances alone. This raises the levels of toxins and ultimately, the inner detoxification system gets weak, and you have more [acne] breakouts.” 

Thankfully, colloidal silver supports the immune system in several ways.  First, using colloidal silver to help kill pathogens gives the immune system a bit of a rest.  It helps the immune system by taking some of the load off it, and thereby giving it time to re-charge. It’s been well documented that if the immune system is overwhelmed, it can become significantly weaker. 

Secondly, researchers have discovered that colloidal silver helps stimulate certain immune system functions.  For example, as I documented in The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual:

“One recent study (2002) conducted at The Departments of Immunology and Microbiology and Molecular Cell Immunology and Allergology, Advanced Medical Research Center, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, discovered that silver ions activated mast cells (i.e., mastocytes). 

Quoting the report: ‘These findings indicate that silver activates mast cells by bypassing the early signaling events required for the induction of calcium influx.

Our data strongly suggests the existence of an alternative pathway bypassing the early signaling events in mast cell activation and indicates that silver may be useful for analyses of such alternative mechanisms’.”*

This is a very important finding!  Mast cells are similar to white blood cells, which are a crucial component of the immune system.  While excessive stimulation of mast cells is prominent in allergic responses, normal activation of mast cells is intimately involved in wound healing and defense against pathogens. 

According to Wikipedia.com, mast cells are particularly prominent in the skin:

“Mast cells are present in most tissues characteristically surrounding blood vessels and nerves, and are especially prominent near the boundaries between the outside world and the internal milieu, such as the skin, mucosa of the lungs, and digestive tract, as well as the mouth, conjunctiva, and nose.”

These specific areas of the human body – including the skin -- are often among the first to be infected by invading organisms.  Destroying these invaders by activating mast cells before they can take hold is therefore crucial to human health.  And silver appears to do exactly that!

[*From page 90 of The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual, 547-pages.]

Of course, the FDA claims there is no use whatsoever for silver in the human body, and that it has no affect whatsoever on the human immune system.  This claim is parroted by virtually all orthodox medical experts.

But independent clinical researchers, cutting edge health practitioners and experienced colloidal silver users tend to disagree with those contentions, considering them to be the FDA's way of keeping people herded towards pharmaceutical drugs for all of their health issues. 

Here are some quotes from other experts who reference, to one degree or another, the beneficial effects of colloidal silver on the human immune system:

According to Dr. Kent Holtorf, of the Holtorf Medical Group, silver may be a natural component of the human immune system:

“There is evidence that silver is a natural critical component of our immune system and that low tissue levels associated with a dietary deficiency may result in a relatively weakened immune system, making one more prone to infection. (3,4,5)”

According to Dr. Robert O. Becker, M.D., author of the best-selling book, The Body Electric, who conducted ground-breaking research into silver and healing at Syracuse Medical University, the lower one’s bodily silver levels are, the more sickness and disease one is likely to have:

“While analyzing hair samples and questioning the parties involved, I noticed the correlation between low silver levels and sickness.

People who showed low silver levels in their hair analysis were frequently sick. They seemed to have innumerable colds, flu, fevers, and various other sickness. I

 believe that a silver deficiency may be the key to the improper function of the immune system."

Dr. Jonathan Wright, M.D., of the famous Tahoma Clinic in Washington State, has stated in his article, “Stop Supergerms in Their Tracks with One Powerful Silver Bullet”: 

“In 1909, the Journal of the American Medical Association was the first medical journal to point out that colloidal silver could actually increase our immune cells' phagocytic index.

In the past few years, more studies have shown that silver ions greatly enhance the essential second part of the phagocytic index-the part where the germ is digested by our immune cells.

This is brought about because silver ions increase the "digesting juices" (what you know as hydrogen peroxide) of these immune cells."

And as the famous Dr. Joel D. Wallach, BS, DVM, ND and Ma Lan, MD, MSb, and author of Rare Earths, Forbidden Cures has stated:

“Silver has been employed in human health care and in the search for immortality since the days of the Chinese alchemist 8,000 years ago.

Many feel that silver is in fact an essential element, not because it is required for an enzyme system, but rather as a systemic disinfectant and immune system support."

And according to clinical researcher V. Edwards-Jones, writing in Letters in Applied Microbiology, in an article titled, The benefits of silver in hygiene, personal care and healthcare”:

"Silver has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial agent to reduce bioburden and prevent infection…Increasing evidence of improved antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles of silver and possible dual immunomodulatory effects are exciting."

And finally, as Dr. Ron Surowitz, head of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, has stated, many of his own skin patients have found dramatic relief by spraying colloidal silver onto infected areas of skin:

 “...Some of my teenage patients with facial skin infections seem to do well with a spray on the skin and into the mouth once or twice daily. Sometimes higher amounts are needed.  This certainly beats taking antibiotics for years and years to prevent these skin conditions...

…It's interesting how many of my patients improve with the use of Colloidal Silver. It enhances the immune system where other antibiotics cause yeast overgrowth...”

So it’s relatively clear that colloidal silver helps boost immunity.  And of course, a stronger immune system can be a dramatic aid in helping prevent acne outbreaks. 

For more information on colloidal silver and immunity, see “Does Colloidal Silver Boost Immunity?

Reason #3:  Colloidal silver relieves inflammation

Inflammation of the skin in acne outbreaks is a given.  Much of that inflammation is caused by the body’s natural response to attackers, whether they be bacterial, chemical or even foods your body doesn’t like.

In acne, once your pores become clogged with sebum and dead skin cells, an oxygen-deprived environment is created that turns out to be the perfect home for bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes and others we’ve discussed throughout this article. 

They turn out to be anaerobic bacteria, which means they thrive best in oxygen-poor environments, such as inside clogged pores.  And as they feast on your sebum and dead skin cells, two things happen:  One, they multiply rapidly.  And two, they excrete inflammatory waste products.  This causes the severe inflammation, redness and swelling that characterizes a nasty acne outbreak. 

Of course, colloidal silver is well known for its ability to kill the pathogens, which by itself can help relieve acne inflammation because fewer pathogens are available to reproduce inside of clogged pores and excrete inflammatory waste products. 

But silver is also known for its ability to reduce inflammation independently, as well.  And it does this by inhibiting excessive cytokine production.

Cytokines are one of the body’s signaling molecules produced by our cells. They basically communicate with other cells in the body.  Among other things, cytokines warn our immune system of invading pathogens, which in turn then directs white blood cells towards the site of infection, flooding the area, which in turn produces inflammation. 

But sometimes, particularly with persistent infections such as involved in acne, the cytokines signal excessive levels of white blood cells, causing excessive inflammation.  But according to several recent studies, silver appears to bond with and modify the cytokine molecules in such a way as to inhibit the production of more cytokines, thus reducing the inflammatory response.

In other words, even while silver is killing the pathogens, it is also modulating the pro-inflammatory cytokine response so that less inflammation is produced.  In the case of acne, this of course would result in clearer skin, faster. 

Indeed, silver appears to be so effective at reducing cytokine expression, the authors of a December 2007 study published in the journal International Immunopharmacology recommended studying silver as a treatment against inflammation, saying:

“Kenneth Wong and others at the University of Hong Kong recently investigated the wound-healing properties of silver nanoparticles…

…the new research...indicates that silver…modifies cytokines – the enzymes involved in cell growth and movement – leading to reduced inflammation and an increased rate of healing…

…These experimental data suggest that nano-silver could be used to treat immunologic and inflammatory diseases."

So colloidal silver can help reduce the horrific inflammation that accompanies moderate to severe acne is two distinct ways, i.e., one, by eliminating pathogens that are the root cause of the inflammation, and two, by reducing the body’s own inflammatory response to over-colonization of pathogens.

Reason #4:  Colloidal silver helps soothe and heal the skin –

If you’re well-versed in the amazing healing benefits of colloidal silver, then this is probably old news to you. But for readers who might be new to the uses of colloidal silver, you’ll probably be surprised to know that silver actually stimulates cells in your body to regenerate and speed-up healing. 

This astonishing fact was first discovered by Dr. Robert O. Becker, M.D., and revealed in his best-selling books, The Body Electric and Cross Currents.

The results were also published in numerous clinical research papers including:




This research ultimately led to the development of medical products such as silver sulfadiazine cream, which is used in hospital burn wards around the world to help prevent infections from setting in on the skin of burn victims and to stimulate the healing of the skin. 

And it also led to the development of silver-impregnated bandages for use in hospitals, for the prevention of infection in chronic wounds and to stimulate wound healing.

The silver actually promotes skin and tissue cell growth.  As a first-hand anecdotal account published by Dr. Robert O. Young, PhD., in his best-selling book The pH Miracle:  Balance Your Body, Reclaim Your Health reveals, silver’s ability to heal skin can be nothing short of astonishing:

"I was told I had second-and third-degree burns on my face and third-degree burns on my hands....the very next day my mother brought me colloidal silver, with directions to use it externally and internally as frequently as possible, because it assists in growth of new tissue.

She had learned from Dr. Young that silver's positive electrical charge counters the negative charge of a damaged body area, bringing it back into balance and enabling the body to regenerate and heal itself.

Mom sprayed undiluted colloidal silver onto the burned areas, and I took it by drops under my tongue...My mother applied the silver many times a day. It was absorbed into my skin instantly. It felt cool and tingling and loosened the tension on my face, hands, and fingertips...

…After only one day of treatment with silver, it was obvious the healing was happening very rapidly. New tissue and skin grew back at an accelerated pace. The swelling of my head diminished rapidly and the breathing apparatus came off almost immediately.

The plastic surgeon told me I was healing twice as fast as any burn patient he had ever seen in his long career."

-- The pH Miracle: Balance Your Body, Reclaim Your Health by Robert O. Young, PhD., pgs 137-138

Your New Best Friend? 

As you can see, colloidal silver can be an acne sufferer’s best friend. 

Silver not only kills the bacteria that are in large part responsible for the effects of acne, but it also helps boost immunity so the body itself is able to better able to naturally and holistically deal with acne outbreaks. 

What’s more, colloidal silver helps reduce the underlying inflammation that’s so common to acne outbreaks.  And it soothes and heals the skin with remarkable effectiveness. 

Many acne sufferers claim that colloidal silver has worked for them when no other acne treatment would.  And now you can understand why

Where Can You Find Colloidal Silver?

You can purchase colloidal silver from many health food stores, or from online vendors on Amazon.com, SwansonVitamins.com and other websites. 

Costs can range between $20 to $30 for a tiny, four-ounce bottle.  And it might take two or three of these bottles over time to get a stubborn or persistent acne outbreak fully under control.

That can be expensive.  But here’s the good news:  You can make your own high-quality micro-particle colloidal silver for about 36 cents per quart with the Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator from The Silver Edge.

Indeed, with a Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator from The Silver Edge, you can make colloidal silver for the rest of your life, quickly, easily and for just a few pennies per quart

And the device is so simple to use, anyone who’s ever made coffee with a kitchen counter top coffee maker can use a Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator. 

Discover how simple it is to make your own high-quality colloidal silver with a new Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator at this link

Learn More About Colloidal Silver…

One last thing, a tremendous wealth of information on colloidal silver can be found at The Silver Edge website.

For example, you can find over 100 articles on the powerful healing and infection-fighting properties of colloidal silver, at this link

And you can watch over a dozen “how to” videos on making and using colloidal silver at this link

You might even want to get a copy of my FREE 30-page Colloidal Silver Safe Dosage Report, which is yours by just clicking the link. 

And finally, you can learn more about making your own high-quality colloidal silver with a brand new Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator from The Silver Edge, simply by clicking the link in this sentence. 

Meanwhile, I’ll be back next week with another great article on colloidal silver…

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 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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