SILICON (Si)

• General - trace element;
• Adult body contains about 20 mg;
• Silicon is sister element of carbon, but atoms are bigger & less electronegative; forms stronger bonds than carbon; structural stability;
• History: found in ashes of animals in 1848; found in tendons, aponeuroses & eye tissues in 1901; anti-atheroma function suggested in 1911; essentiality for humans established in 1972;

Nutrition

• Sources: best: rice polishings, whole grains, brans, horsetail herb, root vegetables, alfalfa; good: skin; poor: most other foods, refined foods (98% of silicon is removed);
• Supplements: bamboo extract, horsetail herb, oat straw tea, alginic acid, pectin, kelp, comfrey, nettles;
• Absorption: from intestinal tract; absorption rate depends on kind of silicon compound;
• Antagonized by: molybdenum, magnesium, fluoride, high fibre;
• Storage: high concentrations of silicon in lymph nodes as clusters & grains of quartz; in skin, aorta, tendons, epithelial & connective tissue; in active growth areas of bones; in skin & fingernails;
• Excretion: through urine;
• Metabolism: silicon excretion affected by hormones; evidence that parathyroid hormone regulates blood silicon levels;

Functions of silicon

• Functions as a cross-linking agent, providing strength and resilience to collagen & elastin connective tissues;
• Likely essential for bone & cartilage collagen synthesis;
• Present as silanolate, ether or ester-like silicic acid derivative, in mucopolysaccharides, the structural components of connective tissues; may play role in structural organization of mucopolysaccharides;
• Chondroitin sulphate contains high level of silicon;
• Silicon appears essential for bone calcification;
• 14x as much silicon in clean arteries than in arteries with atherosclerosis;
• Fibres which benefit heart & arteries all contain high quantities of silicon;
• Stimulates growth;

Quantities

• Measurement: milligrams;
• Optimum: (SONA) average ranges not yet set; suggested intake may be 40 to 100 mg/day;
• Individual optimum needs to be determined for each individual case;
• Minimum: (DRI) not yet established
• Less than RDA: no official figures; estimated around 30% of population; those eating refined diets & diets low in whole grains & root vegetables;
• Deficiency from refined foods diets;
• Symptoms of silicon deficiency have not been definitely identified for humans, but may include atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure and premature ageing;
• May include tissue weakness, ageing, joint & cartilage weakness, connective tissue weakness; bone weakness;
• Toxicity: oral silicon is non-toxic;

Therapy with silicon

• May prevent atherosclerosis, arthritis, ageing of connective tissues & skin;
• May strengthen musculo-skeletal system, preventing injuries in athletes & others;
• May be useful in treatment of disorders involving connective tissues, bones & skin;
• May be helpful in growing healthy hair & nails;
• May be useful in reducing blood fats & cholesterol; Silicon may form insoluble complexes with bile in intestine, ensuring its removal from body;
• May help heal gastric ulcers and arthritis (connective tissue healing);
• May help re-calcify bones & decalcify soft tissue deposits of calcium;
• May help bones heal & help prevent osteoporosis;
• Synergists: N-acetyl glucosamine, manganese, vitamin C, calcium;