Silicon

Silicon is the most abundant mineral found on earth. Its most common associations are with computer chips and surgical implants. Silicon’s function in the human body is poorly understood and has been poorly researched. As a result, it is not clear if it is necessary or what role it may have.

The largest amounts are found in the lungs because of inhalation. It is found in the skin, ligaments, tendons, bones, trachea, lymph nodes and aorta. While deficiency in humans has not been seen, absence of silicon in animals results in bone and collagen abnormalities. Found in concentrations in the area of active bone mineralization, silicon is believed to function in bone calcification and the formation of collagen, cartilage, and connective tissue. A 1993 study found oral and external application of silicon improves the condition of aging skin, hair, and nails in women.¹ Silicon increased the thickness and strength of the skin, improved wrinkles, and gave hair and nails a healthier appearance.

1 Lassus A, Colloidal silicic acid for oral and topical treatment of aged skin, fragile hair and brittle nails in females. J Int Med Res 21, 209-215, 1993.

• Brown rice
• Oatmeal
• Organ meats
• Root vegetables
• Unrefined grains and cereals

Available as:

• Silica supplements are water soluble extracts of horsetail.
• Silica gel is from quartz crystals.
• Other supplements are from purified algae.
• Silicon-rich horsetail (herb).
• Sodium metasilicate.
• Colloidal silicic acid (can be used topically).¹

1 From Newstrom H, Nutrients Catalog.

PROVEN BENEFITS:

• Needed for healthy skin, ligaments, tendons, and bones.
• Important for the function of the enzyme prolyhydroxylase.
• What this mineral does
• Enhances cell regeneration.
• This mineral is necessary for the production of collagen and glycosaminoglycan.¹

1 From Newstrom H, Nutrients Catalog.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS:

• May strengthen hair, nails, and skin.
• May purge body of excess aluminum.
• May be involved in bone calcification.
• May work with calcium binding with bone matrices.¹

1 From Newstrom H, Nutrients Catalog.

• Silicon’s use in implants creates the possibility of leaking silicon into the body.

Miscellaneous information:

• Next to oxygen, silicon is the most abundant element on earth. It appears as oxide silica in sand and quartz, as silicates in minerals such as granite, and as vegetal silica in food and algae.¹

1 From Newstrom H, Nutrients Catalog.

No deficiency has been seen in humans.¹

1 From Newstrom H, Nutrients Catalog.

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

• Deficiency may relate to heart disease (atherosclerosis)
• Abnormal ligament, tendon, and bone¹

1 From Newstrom H, Nutrients Catalog.

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

• No deficiency since it is not an essential mineral.¹

1 From Newstrom H, Nutrients Catalog.

Optimal Levels

• No optimal dosage since it is not an essential mineral.

Minimum Dosage

• No RDA has been established. The estimated daily intake from food is 21-46 mg. Some researchers have suggested the requirement to be about 5-20mg/day. It is not advised to exceed 50 mg.

• See SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS.

OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

Signs and symptoms:

• Silicosis, a respiratory disease.
• Malignant tumor formation.
• Normal lung tissue replaced with nodular connective tissue patches.
• High levels of silicon and aluminum are present in persons with Alzheimer's disease. At this point, aluminum is considered to be more of a threat for toxicity than silicon.¹

1 From Newstrom H, Nutrients Catalog.

ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

• See OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

• There may be a relationship between silicon and calcium binding with bone matrices.¹

1 From Newstrom H, Nutrients Catalog.

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