Silica

The Essential Benefits of Silica for Bone Health

Silicon dioxide, most often referred to as silica, is a combination of silicon and oxygen and is concentrated in tissues such as our arteries, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, collagen, skin, nails, hair, and teeth. While silica has long been known for its impressive skin health, it is also an essential nutrient for strong bones and teeth.

Indeed, as the third most abundant trace element in the body after iron and zinc, silica has long been a staple of bone health supplements, alongside calcium, magnesium, boron, strontium, and vitamins C, D, and K. Research on silica supplementation has shown that it increases bone collagen as well as strengthens the connective tissue matrix by cross-linking collagen strands. Studies have also demonstrated that silica increases the mineralization rate, especially when calcium intake is low; thus, supplementing with silica can help initiate the calcification process and help maintain strong, flexible bones.

Just as interestingly, silica is known to stimulate the production of bone-building cells, or osteoblasts, while simultaneously reducing the number of osteoclasts, or cells that break down bones. As such, supplementing with silica effectively promotes healthy bone mineral density and helps prevent bone loss.

Benefits of Silica on Stronger Bones and Teeth

• Boosts Calcium Absorption 
• Helps Maintain Strong Bones And Teeth
• Helps Prevent Bone Loss
• Stimulates The Growth Of Bone Cells (Osteoblasts)
• Supports The Formation Of Collagen Fibres

Identifying Who Benefits Most from Silica for Bone Health

More often than not, silica supplements are recommended to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails. It is also frequently recommended to support bone health, protect against bone loss, and reduce one's risk of osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women. As a significant bonus, silica supplementation has been shown to accelerate wound healing, relieve burns, mitigate fine lines and wrinkles, reduce the appearance of sun damage, strengthen fine, coarse, and thinning hair, accelerate hair growth, and improve brittle nails.

Other indications for silica include the treatment of degenerative joint diseases, the protection of heart health by preventing the buildup of arterial plaque, and protection against neurodegeneration by helping to prevent the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain.

Choosing the Right Silica Supplements: Potency, Forms, and Formats

Potency

While there is no set Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of silica, supplements are available in a wide range of potencies. The recommended daily dose is typically in the 9–14 mg range.

Forms

Silica supplements are most commonly sourced from quartz crystals, horsetail, or bamboo. Depending on its origins, a silica supplement may be presented as a liquid, gel, or colloidal emulsion. Worth noting is the fact that bamboo-sourced silica contains roughly 70% silica by weight, which is 10 times more than that found in horsetail.

Formats

Silica supplements can conveniently be purchased as capsules, tablets, liquids, and gels. Silica is also frequently added to complex formulas for hair, skin, and nail health, as well as bone and joint combinations.

Concluding Insights on the Importance of Silica Supplements for Bones

Silica supplements are exceptionally well tolerated and have not been associated with any side effects. To promote optimal bone health and increase protection against bone loss, silica should be combined with other bone health essentials such as calcium, magnesium, boron, strontium, and vitamins C, D3, and K2, as well as collagen.