Silica

Silica - What Is This Supplement?

Silica (also known as silicon dioxide) is the second most abundant element on earth and the third most abundant trace element in the human body after iron and zinc. It is essential to human health and is required for the development of strong bones, cartilage, connective tissue, skin, hair, and nails. An interesting feature of silica is its unique ability to boost our production of bone-building cells (osteoblasts) while reducing the number of cells that break down and compromise the strength of our bones (osteoclasts), so naturally helps improve bone mineral density.

Silica is also an integral part of ligaments and musculature and is required for collagen synthesis - the most abundant protein in the body. When we’re young, we naturally make and retain higher levels of both collagen and silica, but as we age, our collagen and silica levels begin to decline, which has a direct impact on our connective tissue health including bones, hair, nails, skin elasticity and structure. This nutrient is so integral to skin, hair, and nail health that it's widely recognized as “the beauty mineral” and can have a tremendous impact on skin regeneration and cell renewal.

In addition to skin, connective tissue, and bone health, silica supplementation naturally helps detoxify aluminum present in food and water, so can help prevent aluminum toxicity associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological diseases.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that silica has potent anti-inflammatory properties, as well as is a proven diuretic, that’s been shown to be as effective as recommendation diuretics (without the side effects), and is approved in Germany for use as an oral diuretic for the treatment of edema.

Benefits of Silica

• Enhances Collagen Formation
• Essential for Calcium Absorption & Musculoskeletal Health
• Nourishes Hair, Skin, and Nails

Who Needs A Silica Supplement?

This supplement is often recommended to support bone health, promote wound healing, as well as to help restore hair, skin, and nail health, repair sun damage, and strengthen thinning hair.

Silica is also used to help prevent the accumulation of arterial plaque and the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain.

Silica Potency, Forms & Formats

Potency

These supplements are available in a wide range of potencies, each supplying a specific amount of elemental silica depending on the source. Always follow dosing instructions.

The recommended daily intake of dietary silica for adults is in the 9 - 14 mg daily range.

Forms

It can come from the quartz crystals themselves, from diatoms (fossilized plant cells found on the ocean floor), or from plant sources – horsetail, or bamboo. Each has their unique features and are well-absorbed and effective.

Pure silica derived from quartz crystals, is available as a colloidal preparation in which microscopic particles of this mineral are finely dispersed and presented as a gel-like substance.

 Pure silicon from diatoms in the ocean is available as a colloidal emulsion.

Horsetail extract is a common source of silica that naturally concentrates it from the soil and bamboo contains about 70% silica by weight – 10 times more than horsetail.

Formats

Silica supplements are available in a range of options from capsules, tablets, liquids, gels, and even shampoos and hair and face masks.

Choosing The Right Supplement For You

A silica supplement can naturally help maintain supple, youthful, and firm-looking skin, as well as prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Combining this supplement with other skin and bone supporting nutrients such as collagen, calcium, boron, vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, and omega-3 fatty acids will multiply the benefits.