Silicon

What is silicon?

Silicon is a mineral found in the human body, but its function and whether it is an essential to human health or life is not yet known ^[1].

Good sources of silicon are water, grains and vegetables ^[1]. Neither silicon deficiency nor toxicity from dietary sources have been described so far. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for silicon have not been determined ^[2].

Chemical symbol for silicon: Si

Silicon Supplements

Non-prescription oral silicon supplements containing orthosilicic acid are on the market.

Despite strong suggestions that silicon increases the synthesis of collagen and elastin (protein fibers in the bones, cartilage, tendons, arteries and skin), insufficient studies have been done to confirm the effect of silicon supplements in treatment of osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, wrinkles, brittle nails or brittle hair ^[3].

Silicon Safety: Side Effects, Toxicity

Apart from rare cases of kidney stones, no other side effects of silicon supplements have been observed so far ^[4].