Posted on 10/18/2010 5:44:24 PM PDT by DeaconBenjamin
Scientists have discovered that they can attach tiny studs of silver onto the surface of otherwise harmless bacteria, giving them the ability to destroy viruses.
They have tested the silver-impregnated bacteria against norovirus, which causes winter vomiting outbreaks, and found that they leaves the virus unable to cause infections.
The researchers now believe the same technique could help to combat other viruses, including influenza and those responsible for causing the common cold.
Professor Willy Verstraete, a microbiologist from the University of Ghent, Belgium, who unveiled the findings at a meeting of the Society for Applied Microbiology in London last week, said the bacteria could be incorporated into a nasal spray, water filters and hand washes to prevent viruses from being spread.
"We are using silver nanoparticles, which are extremely small but give a large amount of surface area as they can clump around the virus, increasing the inhibiting effect.
"There are concerns about using such small particles of silver in the human body and what harm it might cause to human health, so we have attached the silver nanoparticles to the surface of a bacterium. It means the silver particles remain small, but they are not free to roam around the body."
The bacteria used, Lactobacillus fermentum, is normally considered to be a "friendly" bacteria that is often found in yogurts and probiotic drinks that can help to aid digestion.
The researchers found that when grown in a solution of silver ions, the bacteria extrete tiny particles of silver, 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, which stud the outside of the cells.
Although the bacteria eventually die as a result of the silver, they remain intact and the dead cells carrying the silver particles can then be added to solutions to create nasal sprays or handwashes.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
colloidial silver? works for me.
Looks like they hired Smeagol to write.
+1 for CS.
I am sure there will be unintended side affects.
C.S. addicts.
“colloidial silver? works for me”
Well then, the FDA will just have to ban it.
.........and then the IRS will harvest us when we die.
Just so long as it doesn’t turn me into a smurf.
I don't think this guy ever gets the flu!
Is that Papa Smurf in that pic?
/johnny
he was not happy he turned blue
Do you know how much Colloidal Silver a person has to consume to turn this color? A LOT!
Mesosilver works wonders IMHO.
There's also a medical condition called methemoglobinemia, that results in bluish-hued skin, but has nothing to do with silver. It's an interesting condition because it arises from an enzyme imbalance and can be either a congenital/hereditary matter, or can be acquired later in life.
If you take too much it tends to turn the skin blue. Plant derived colloidal silver probably wouldn't do this.
They can do a tie-in with the Smurfs!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.