Health 'supplement' turns man blue

The 60-year-old man from California ingested homemade colloidal silver for years in an attempt to treat his health problems, which included sinusitis, dermatitis, acid reflux, and other issues. He reportedly drank gallons of colloidal silver per week for years.

Colloidal silver - a liquid suspension of microscopic silver particles - is recommended by proponents of alternative medicine as a 'natural' alternative to antibiotics. Some websites go as far as to claim that it is "extremely beneficial for boosting immunity and warding off infections of all sorts"

Mr Karason eventually developed argyria - a permanent discolouration of the skin wherein the skin turns a blue-grey colour. This is the result of over-exposure to silver, which accumulates in the body over time.

The US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) allows the marketing of colloidal silver as a dietary supplement, it does not recognise it as a medical aid. It does not consider the product to be either safe or effective to treat any disease or condition.

The Health Sciences Suthority (HSA) advises consumers to exercise caution when they encounter products or websites promising cures that are "too good to be true".

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