| Silica/Silicon | |||||
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- Why silica is good for you
- Important silica facts
- Groups at risk of silica deficiency
- Symptoms of silica deficiency
- Silica and health
- Silica in foods
- Silica recommended daily intake (RDI)
- Silica works best with
- Overdosage, toxicity and cautions for silica
Silica is a trace mineral, which means the body only needs a very small amount of it to be healthy.
Silica is found most predominantly in the connective tissues - skin, blood, cartilage, bone, teeth, tendons and hair. Silica is really beneficial for the health of blood vessel walls (the aorta is has high concentrations of silica).
Silica is used to keep bones, cartilage, tendons and artery walls healthy. It is also required by the nails, hair and skin to stay in good condition and is useful in counteracting the effects of excessive aluminium. Silica is involved in the formation of bone and collagen.
- Silica is short for silicon dioxide
- Silica is also called silicon and is a natural substance while Silicone is a man-made industrial substance popularly used in breast enlargement operations
- Silica is present in soil, plants and water
- Silica has a similar healing effect on cartilage and joint degeneration as sulphur
Groups at risk of silica deficiency
Nobody has ever been found to be deficient in silica because it is found abundantly in so many foods.
It is unlikely that a silica deficiency would occur, but if it did, it is thought that it may result in problems with teeth and bones as well as hardening of the arteries.
- Ageing - silica levels drop as people age, and it might therefore be beneficial as an anti-aging component in the diets
- Bone health - silica looks promising as a way to completely heal bone fractures - more research needs to be done in this area to confirm this ability
People who wish to take a silica supplement should talk to a medical professional BEFORE taking it.
Silica is present in the following foods:
- Alflafa
- Barley
- Beetroot
- Leafy green vegetables
- Millet
- Oats
- Onions
- Rice
- Whole grains
- Wheat
Silica recommended daily intake (RDI)
| RDA | lifestage | age | AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|---|
| INFANTS | 0-12mths | no info available | |
| CHILDREN | 1-8yrs | no info available | |
| CHILDREN | 9-18yrs |
no info available | |
| ADULTS | 19-50yrs |
no info available | |
| SENIORS | 51+yrs | no info available | |
| PREGNANT | no info available | ||
| LACTATING | no info available | ||
| TOLERABLE UPPER LIMIT | lifestage | age | AMOUNT |
| INFANTS | 0-12mths | n/a | |
| CHILDREN | 1-8yrs | no info available | |
| CHILDREN | 9-18yrs |
no info available | |
| ADULTS | 19-50yrs | 20-30mg | |
| SENIORS | 51+yrs |
20-30mg | |
| PREGNANT | no info available | ||
| LACTATING | no info available | ||
The tolerable upper limits should only be taken for short periods and only under medical supervision.
Overdosage, toxicity and cautions for silica
None known.
Inhaled silica dust can cause silicosis, which is a lung condition that causes fibrosis of the lungs.
references
- Murray M and Pizzorno J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1991
- Osiecki, H. The Nutrient Bible. Bio-Concepts Publishing QLD, 2002
- Whitney EN, Cataldo DB, Rolfes SR. Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition, 6th Edition. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2002
