These four main types are: –

Ionic silver – Colloidal silver – Protein silver – Citrate silver Ionic silver is defined as a concentration of silver ions suspended in highly purified water where the majority of the solution is comprised of positively charged silver atoms. When a silver atom loses one or more of its electrons, it is now termed an “ion” of silver and carries a positive charge because the protons of its structure now outnumber the electrons. Protons are positively charged while electrons are negatively charged.

A greater amount of positive elements shifts the charge of the atom (ion) to positive. Ionic silver is denoted in physics and chemistry as (Ag+).

Colloidal silver is defined as a concentration of nano-sized particles of silver suspended in highly purified water where the majority of the solution is non-ionic, pure silver metal where there are no other additives such as citric acid, fulvic acid and/or proteins/polymers. This means pure silver metal and pure water, nothing more.

The academic definition(s) of colloid/colloidal are varying in use and can include particles, particulates, molecules, atoms, compounds, etc. Because the many definitions are non-specific, the silver solution industry has loosely used this term to describe virtually all solutions where silver (in whatever form) is suspended. This is why definitions of different silver types should be defined and why we reserve the term “colloidal silver” as “…a concentration of nano-sized particles of silver suspended in highly purified water where the majority of the solution is non-ionic, pure silver metal where there are no other additives such as citric acid, fulvic acid and/or proteins/polymers. This means pure silver metal and pure water, nothing more.” We do not use terms in a non-specific or generic way.

Whenever there is reference in our literature to “true” colloidal silver, the word “true” is assigned to express non-ionic, pure silver metal in suspension rather than to mean the various other types of silver as well. Furthermore, “true” is not used to express that colloidal silver is “better” than other types of silver solutions (i.e. ionic, protein, polymer, citrate or fulvate silver.)

Protein silver is a commonly shortened term for “mild silver protein” and is a silver solution that incorporates polymers derived from animal and/or plant sources. The main scope of protein-based silver solutions is to allow for much greater concentrations of silver to be achieved while still holding in suspension. There are natural saturation limits as to how much silver (ionic or non-ionic) that can hold in suspension (in a pure water base) before it reaches saturation and begins to precipitate to the bottom as aggregates of large silver complexes. Large silver complexes are not a desirable component of any silver solution used for dietary supplementation. The problem with protein/polymer-based silver solutions is trying to maintain ultra-small particle sizes (especially as the concentration is increased.) These solutions are found to contain much larger particles (better stated as “particulates”) of silver compared to low concentration silver solutions that are held naturally in suspension within a pure water base. These high concentration silver solutions are usually 2,500 to 10,000 PPM in concentration. Only a tiny fraction of the silver content is smaller than 10-25 nanometers in size (which we consider to be the size ranges of a quality silver solution.)

A common problem with this type of silver solution is the risk of Argyria (a cosmetic skin condition) if abused in dosage and frequency. 

This form of silver we do not support in our products (as well as the protein/polymer-based solutions described above) for many reasons mostly related to safety. While citrate/fulvate/protein/polymer based silver solutions have shown anti-microbial activity, we focus strictly on low concentration silver solutions comprised of pure silver ions and pure particles of silver metal that are very small in size (5-25 nanometers.)

Which form is better? Ionic silver or colloidal silver? 

This is the same as asking which tool is better, a wrench or a screwdriver? Obviously it depends on the better tool for the job. The question is conditional and sometimes both prove effective due to differing methods of action. This is why The SilverLungs (pH) colloidal silver generator provides protocols for producing both purely ionic silver solutions and highly particle-rich (colloidal) solutions.

In general, we have found that ionic solutions are suggested for low salt environments such as the eyes, ears, nose, lung tissues and topically to the skin, while particle-rich (colloidal) solutions are suggested for exposure to high salt environments such as the stomach and blood. Although silver ions are the smallest form of silver that carry a positive electro-static “oxidizing” charge, they are highly reactive to chloride and other (anions) which form less desirable silver compounds such as silver chloride (AgCl) when swallowing and upon entry into the blood stream.

There are studies that show ionic silver clearly proves more anti-bacterial vs. true colloidal silver and the same is true for studies showing true colloidal silver proving more anti-bacterial than ionic silver. 

The results are based on the specifics of the testing application and scenario.

Having the ability to produce both ionic and true colloidal silver solutions covers the full spectrum. Our professional-class silver generating device (coming soon) allows you to finally break your dependence on silver solution manufacturers and their far-reaching “claims.”

Raw Energy Produces Ionic and true Colloidal silver solutions for you and we will custom dial our solutions at your request!

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