There seems to be a common misconception about what the significance of ppms really is. Although many people seem to think that the highest ppm is the best, the truth is that you cannot judge colloidal silver products based solely upon parts per million (ppm). A smaller particle size product is potentially more effective. Silver is only effective to the degree that the surface area of the silver particles is able to come into contact with a microorganism.

Here is an exaggerated example to help you get a clear mental picture. Imagine a silver particle the size of a 55 gallon barrel with the outside of the barrel being the surface area that comes in contact with the surrounding environment; then compare that with the same barrel filled with silver particles the size of marbles or BBs. There are many times more effective surface areas to contact the surrounding environment with the smaller particles than with the larger particles. It also enables them to travel more easily in the body's fluid environment.

Most high ppm products are comprised of much larger particles suspended in a gelatinous base to keep them from falling out of solution. As a result, more of this type of solution will probably accumulate in the tissue under the skin or be eliminated from the body without being used. High ppms are only needed when the silver particle size is extremely big and must in turn make up for an inefficient surface area with more parts per million.

The degree to which silver is able to come into contact with microbes governs its effectiveness. Therefore if it has a particle size small enough to get down to the cellular level it will be more effective. Smaller size enables the particles to travel more easily in the body's fluid environment, giving the silver easier access to all areas of the body and to microorganisms, but particle size in the 2-10 nanometer range, will be able to move efficiently anywhere in the body it is needed.

Along with ppms, another important factor in understanding colloidal silver effectiveness is ionic versus non-ionic particle content. There is much debate within the colloidal silver community this topic. There seems to be misconceptions on both sides of the issue: by some that only non-ionic silver particles are effective and by others that ionic silver is more effective. The truth is: ionic silver is still silver, but electrically charged, either negative or positive. In different environments, ionic and non-ionic silver particles both seem to have their own distinct advantages. Generally, ionic silver loses its effectiveness in the hydrochloric acid of the stomach becoming silver chloride and passing harmlessly out of the system. On the other hand, non-ionic silver does not have that constraint and is able to survive internally in the digestive acids and be absorbed into the bloodstream, where it can then be useful in supporting the immune system.

While ionic silver is not as effective internally as non-ionic silver, it may be more effective in environments where it doesnt come in contact with hydrochloric acid. So, with that in mind, it seems that a product such as Utopia Silver Supplements Advanced Colloidal Silver gives the best of both worlds. It contains approximately 20-25% ionic silver and 75-80% non-ionic silver particles.

For a little more information on the issue of ionic vs. non-ionic, go to: http://utopiasilver.com/emailtemp/articlepages/ionic.htm