What's the difference between ionic and colloidal minerals?

Dear D2,  

Trying to make sense of all the supplements on the pharmacy shelves may make you feel stuck between a rock and a hard place! It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to make bogus claims about supplements and other products—which might end up causing more harm than good. However, before swallowing any information, it’s important to know that there’s been a lot of unconfirmed marketing and advertising around ionic and colloidal minerals. It seems that some believe that supplements in these two forms are more available for the body to use. Supplements like these were all the rage in the early 2000s, but colloidal silver (also known as “nano silver”) is making a comeback. During the COVID-19 pandemic, colloidal silver was falsely touted as a cure for the disease, even though there was no evidence of its safety or effectiveness.  

What’s the difference between colloidal and ionic supplements? 

Colloidal minerals come from shale deposits. After collection, the shale is crushed up and soaked in water. The liquid mixture is then filtered, leaving behind fine, mineral-rich particles. Since colloidal supplements contain solid particles, they tend to be cloudy.  

Ionic supplements on the other hand still come from shale deposits, however, they contain ions that are completely dissolved. Since they don’t contain solid particles, ionic solutions tend to be clear or transparent.  

Are colloidal and ionic supplements better than other types of supplements? 

Some manufacturers claim that the vitamins and minerals in liquid supplements are absorbed more efficiently than supplements in pill form. However, more research needs to be done to support this claim. 

That said, many factors can affect how well your body absorbs vitamins and minerals. These include:  

• Presence of other nutrients: Some nutrients can inhibit the absorption of other nutrients. For example, iron and copper absorption can be affected by high levels of zinc. On the other hand, vitamin C can promote iron absorption, while vitamin D increases calcium and magnesium absorption.  
• Interactions with other drugs and foods: Diuretics can reduce the absorption of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.  
• Probiotics and gut bacteria: Probiotics and fermented dairy products such as yoghurts and soft cheese can improve the absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.  

What is colloidal silver? 

Silver has been used as a medicine for centuries and promoted as a cure-all for many diseases ranging from arthritis to cancer. Silver has antibacterial properties that fight against infection and inflammation. As such, topical products containing colloidal silver may help to treat wounds, burns, or skin infections. Today, manufacturers of colloidal silver claim that it can stimulate the immune system, heal wounds, and prevent or treat diseases such as the flu, shingles, cancer, and even HIV and AIDS.   

 However, scientists don’t know if colloidal silver is safe to be ingested, injected, or inhaled. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled in 1999 that there was not enough data to determine whether over-the-counter drug products containing colloidal silver were safe or effective. Since then, some manufacturers have re-branded colloidal silver products as dietary supplements or holistic remedies because these don’t require FDA approval.  

Is colloidal silver safe to consume? 

As of now, the FDA does not consider any form of colloidal silver safe for ingestion. Consuming colloidal silver can lead to negative health effects such as:  

• Skin discoloration: Over time, consuming colloidal silver can cause silver to build up in organs and tissues, especially the skin. This can cause gums, skin, eyes, nails, and deep tissue layers to turn bluish gray in color. 
• Drug interactions: Colloidal silver may make antibiotics and other medications less effective.  
• Internal organ damage: Animal studies have shown that silver may be associated with liver and kidney problems, seizures, heart problems, and cancer. 

How can you choose safe and high-quality supplements? 

The FDA does not regulate supplements the same way that it regulates prescription drugs. As such, some supplements may not contain what the label says and aren’t guaranteed to be safe or effective. When choosing supplements, you might consider searching for products that meet the standards of trusted third parties such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), Consumer Labs, or National Science Foundation (NSF).   

Before browsing the aisles, however, it’s recommended to speak with a health care provider, registered dietician, or pharmacist first. They may be able to help you sort out facts from fiction, so you can make an informed decision and avoid products that may be harmful or ineffective. In some cases, you may be better off wearing these minerals than ingesting them!  

Take care,