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Many ageing health problems are a result of our inability to maintain adequate collagen production.
Collagen is the tough fibrous material that holds our tissues together. Inflammation in the veins (phlebitis, thrombophlebitis). Weak connective tissue (joint, ligaments and muscles). Refined foods, such as white flour products, are deprived of silica. ( >)Īpart from bamboo extract, horsetail and clay, much smaller concentrations of silica are found in certain foods including millet, whole oats, barley, quinoa, buckwheat, apples, cherries, almonds, seeds, potatoes (with skin), bananas, or green beans, raw cabbages, carrots, onions, and cucumbers. In traditional medicine, the horsetail herb concoctions and other extracts has been used to treat fluid retention (including oedema), various inflammations, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, difficulties controlling urination, and other problems. It is so rich in this mineral, that it was once used to polish metal in the Middle and Medieval ages, when it was nicknamed “scouring rush.” The high silica content made horsetail a popular ingredient in shampoos, skincare products, as well as in nutritional supplements. On a daily basis we may be losing 10-40 mg of silica every day.īamboo extract is the richest known source of silica as it contains 70% organic silica and therefore is significantly higher source of silica than even horsetail herb which contains about 25% of this mineral.Īfter bamboo, horsetail herb ( >) continues to be one of the most abundant sources of silica in the plant kingdom. it is therefore suggested that daily silica supplementation may be very beneficial.Īfter 40 silica levels starting to go down, and some sources suggest that with women it’s a far worse than it is with men. On the other hand, studies have shown that people who have supplemented with silica at 375 mg per day, had good results in maintaining and regaining their health proving that the intake of 20 to 60 milligrams per day is far from being adequate. In most developed countries (including UK and US) the average person ingests only between 20 to 60 milligrams of silica per day, depending upon their diet. UK tap water contains very low levels of dissolved silicon or silicic acid (often referred to as silica), which has a negative impact on nation’s health as this mineral is required to remove toxic aluminium from the brains. Much higher intakes ( 140-204 mg/day) have been reported in China and India due to higher intake of plant-based unrefined and higher in fibre and silica foods. For most Western populations dietary intake of Silica is between 20-50 mg per day. Western populations (including UK) are deficient in dietary silica in comparison with people living in China or India. In conclusion, many forms of silica exist in nature and compelling data support myriad beneficial effects of silica in water.” However, deficiency induces deformities in skull and peripheral bones, poorly formed joints, reduced contents of cartilage, collagen, and disruption of mineral balance in the femur and vertebrae… A few rodent studies have been conducted, which indicate a No Observed Adverse Effects Level of 50,000 ppm (mg/L) for dietary silica.
Compelling data suggest that silica is essential for health although no RDI has been established. Only our bones contain more of this mineral, and that is the reason why we must make sure we have enough of silica to have healthy bones and hair.Īccording to one research review, “ Orthosilicic acid (silica) is the form predominantly absorbed by humans and is found in numerous tissues including bone, tendons, aorta, liver and kidney. Human hair contains 90 micrograms of silica per every gram.
Silica in vitamins skin#
Silica has been proven to benefit the health of our bones, hair, skin and nails. As early as 1878, Louis Pasteur predicted that silica should be regarded as an important therapeutic substance for many health problems. Silica’s importance in overall optimal health has been recognized for quite some time. However, with further research, silica is now considered one of the top 12 elements necessary for life. In the past it was believed silica was just a trace mineral, and that we only needed a very small amount of it to maintain health. It also increases the overall benefits of vitamin D, glucosamine, and calcium. It is a vital trace mineral required by human body for strong hair, flexible joints, glowing skin, and strong bones. Silica is present in the human body in the form of either a derivative of silanate or silicic acid. It is present in clay and sand, and rocks like quartz and granite.
Silicon (Si), known also as silica, is the second most available element after oxygen found in the earth’s crust.