Silica is a compound of the two most abundant elements on earth: oxygen and silicon. For this reason, silica, or silicon dioxide, is considered one of the minerals most vital to life.
Silica exists naturally in the earth’s crust as well as in the human body, although in small amounts. Most young people possess in their bodies, at any time, just seven grams of silica: an amount that decreases as people age.
A deficiency of silica can prevent the body from adequately absorbing other important nutrients, causing connective tissue to wear down and hair, skin, nails, and teeth to become brittle. If you suspect you have a silica deficiency, talk to your healthcare provider about silica supplements.
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Silica Benefits Silica is commonly held to help bones’ fractures to heal, avoiding bone deformities, and to promote overall cardiovascular health. In addition, it helps prevent alopecia, which is thinning of the hair. Silica keeps your nails and skin from growing brittle, and prevents athe... more
Silica is commonly held to help bones’ fractures to heal, avoiding bone deformities, and to promote overall cardiovascular health. In addition, it helps prevent alopecia, which is thinning of the hair. Silica keeps your nails and skin from growing brittle, and prevents atherosclerosis due to the buildup of plaque inside your arteries.
Silica also protects the body from disease. It aids the immune system, warding against intruders and microorganisms absorbed through our food that cause illnesses.
Silicon, found in silica, is necessary to the nervous system, as it keeps the nerve tissues and cells functioning correctly. Silicon also allows the body to synthesize Vitamin B1.
One of the most noted features of silica is that it allows the body to absorb other nutrients, namely calcium, Vitamin D, and glucosamine. Calcium, for example, cannot be appropriately processed by the body without the presence of silica.
For this reason, when taking extra calcium for bone density and strength, consider taking silica as well. Many physicians consider silica a vital tool in combating bone diseases, such as osteoporosis.
Silica is found all throughout the body: in the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and vascular lining, as well as in the thymus and adrenal glands, spleen, liver, and pancreas. Because it helps the body reap the benefits of a healthy diet, silica helps to slow the degeneration of connective tissue.
Silica lends flexibility and strength to connective tissues such as collagen. This factor leads scientists to believe it to be an important component in fighting symptoms of aging.
Moreover, it plays a critical role in ridding the body of aluminum masses in the brain, a factor that leads to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other types of senility.
Most adult bodies require the maintenance of a minimum of 20 milligrams of silica. Each day, though, the body uses and secretes 10 to 40 milligrams, making the production and intake of silica highly important. As the body ages, it naturally produces less silica and needs more through daily consumption.
Much of this, typically 20 to 50 milligrams, is found naturally in a healthy diet, as silica exists in many types of food. This includes apples, oranges, cucumber, uncooked cabbage, carrots, cucumber, herbs, nuts, oats, and fish.
Typically, diets that contain a higher amount of fruits and vegetables will provide more silica than those with higher percentages of animal-based products will. Most western diets do not provide an adequate amount of silica, and a supplement should be taken.
The recommended daily intake of silica has not been agreed upon by scientists. Some researchers suggest a minimum daily allowance of 40 milligrams, to ensure that the body’s most basic needs are met.
Others suggest a daily intake of 0.3 to 0.8 milligrams of silicon for each kilogram that a person weighs. The optimum dose is typically thought to be higher but varies according to the patient’s needs.
Silica can be taken in several forms. Nettle root extract provides a good amount of silica; the recommended dosage is 250 milligrams, taken three times daily.
The herb horsetail contains a higher percentage of silica but must be taken via an aqueous extract. The recommended dosage of horsetail is 300 milligrams per day. These herbs are not regulated by the FDA.
Physicians consider silica non-toxic and safe for general, proper use. If used incorrectly, though, silica could cause damage.
If silica dust is inhaled, miniscule particles can reside in the lungs, causing scarring, which may lead to a dangerous condition known as silicosis. Symptoms are similar to those of tuberculosis and pneumonia.
Due to a lack of data on adverse effects, there is no consensus on an upper level of silica ingestion. Most scientists do agree that the usual daily dietary intake is highly unlikely to have any negative impact on the typical adult.
The USDA gives no recommend daily intake or upper limit for silica; the Food Standards Agency (UK) suggests a tentative, safe upper limit of 700 milligrams per day over the course of a lifetime. Looking for a silica product? Try the supplement finder now!
| None Known |
| Acide Orthosilicique, Atomic number 14, Orthosilicic Acid, Phytolithic Silica, Polysilicone-11, Si, Silica, Silica Hydride, Silice Hydride, Silicea, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Silicate |
| Connective Tissue Health |
| Disease Prevention |
| Immune Health |
| Absorption of Nutrients |
| Bone Health |
| Cardiovascular Health |
| Hair Health |
| Nail Health |
| Skin Health |