Silica Supplements

About Silica Supplements

Silica is the second most abundant element on earth, after only oxygen, and exists primarily as silicon. Although there has not yet been an RDI established for this mineral, it is certainly important for human health. Evidence to support this indicates that a low intake is associated with improper development of joints and bones due to an altered mineral status within these tissues. This was reported in The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging in 2007.

Silica is widely available within the supplementation industry, where it is primarily used to improve the integrity of hair, skin and nails. Additionally, it is believed to be important for the deposition of minerals into bone, supporting an overall increase in bone mineral density. Traditional usage supports silica for proper calcium distribution in the body. Along with Vitamin K2, silica may help to ensure calcium is not deposited into inappropriate soft tissues, such as blood vessels.

Silica is found in a range of foods, such as oats, bananas, spinach and rice. Typically it is available as pure colloidal silica or silicon dioxide, as well as bamboo silica. Horsetail and burdock root are two medicinal herbs that naturally contain a high level of natural silica and are often added to supplements are a source of this mineral.