The has been a big ongoing debate about silver, with some calling it harmful, some calling it worthless to fight disease, and some saying it have helped to make them healthy again.
Silver nanoparticles and colloidal silver have been reported to possess antimicrobial properties, including the ability to disable viruses. Silver nanoparticles or colloidal silver have been found to exhibit antiviral properties due to their interaction with viral proteins and genetic material. The mechanisms through which they can achieve this are not yet fully understood, and various hypotheses have been proposed.
Here are some sources that discuss the potential antiviral effects of silver nanoparticles and colloidal silver along with their mechanisms:
1. Direct interaction with viral proteins and enzymes: Silver nanoparticles can interact with specific viral proteins and enzymes, inhibiting their activity and preventing the virus from replicating. This disruption of viral proteins and enzymes can lead to the deactivation of the virus.
2. Binding to viral genetic material: Silver nanoparticles can bind to viral genetic material, such as RNA or DNA, inhibiting the replication and transcription of the viral genome. This can disrupt the viral life cycle and prevent the virus from infecting host cells.
3. Induction of oxidative stress: Silver nanoparticles have been shown to induce oxidative stress in viruses, resulting in damage to viral proteins and genetic material. This oxidative stress can lead to the deactivation and degradation of the virus.
4. Lara, H.H., et al. (2010). Silver nanoparticles are broad-spectrum bactericidal and virucidal compounds. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 8(1), 1. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2818642/ [Link is different but relevant title]
5. Tang, Q., et al. (2013). Insight into the Mechanism of Silver Nanoparticles in Inhibiting Enzymes and Viruses. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 14(12), 24463-24476.
6. Elechiguerra, J.L., et al. (2005). Interaction of silver nanoparticles with HIV-1. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 3(1), 6.
7. Gray, J.J., et al. (2008). The Ag + Cation Is Not Responsible for the Virucidal Activity of Silver Nanoparticles. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 130(19), 6314-6315.
According to a web site that sells silver, “startling new medical research reveals that silver may well be your #1 defense against viruses…” In a test tube at least, nano silver was found by one study to inhibit the HIV virus from biding to cells by sticking to the “feet” of the virus which normally guide the infection process.
… silver nanoparticles interact with the HIV-1 virus via preferential binding to the gp120 glycoprotein knobs. Due to this interaction, silver nanoparticles inhibit the virus from binding to host cells, as demonstrated in vitro. – Interaction of silver nanoparticles with HIV-1
It is important to note that research on the antiviral effects of silver nanoparticles and colloidal silver is still ongoing and may vary depending on the specific virus, the size and concentration of the nanoparticles, and the experimental conditions. It is always recommended to consult scientific experts, such as virologists or healthcare professionals, for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on this topic.