Silicon is a vital trace mineral that our body needs. It is known today as the ‘youth’ mineral. Silicon’s overall importance has been known for quite some time. In 1878, Louis Pasteur predicted that silicon would be found to be an important therapeutic mineral for many diseases and would play a significant role in human health and consequently, nutrition. Edith Carlilse’s work at the UCLA School of Public Health from the 1970’s through the 90’s demonstrated that silicon is absolutely essential for the body to create and maintain collagen and that many of the ‘aging’ problems are a direct result of the body’s inability to maintain adequate collagen.
Silicon is also required by the body in many areas and functions:
Joint health- silicon lends strength and elasiticity to collagen, which is necessary for healthy joints, ligaments, and cartilage. It also allows the joint to be more flexible, heal quicker, and recover from the wear and tear of everyday use. Silicon is used to help ease joint pain and arthritic symptoms.
Bone health- there is plenty of evidence that silicon is vital to bone health and preventing fractures as we become older. Teeth and gums benefit from silicon also.
Heart health- silicon is more prevalent in healthy hearts than in diseased hearts. It strengthens muscle tissue. While silicon strengthens bones by enhancing the use of calcium, there is evidence now that it may offset the calcification of arterial plaque.
Skin, hair, nails- silicon is often called the ‘beauty mineral’ because it improves skin elasticity and hair and nail growth. Silicon prevents skin from being flabby and restores its natural glow. When our dietary silicon decreases, our hair and nails grow slower and become more brittle.
Alzheimers/detoxification- a recent study shows that silicon may play an important part in the removal of aluminum from the body. Aluminum is believed to be a possible contributor to Alzheimer’s disease. A seven-year study in French women showed that higher silicon intakes appeared to be protective against developing Alzheimer’s disease. Silicon is also very good at removing waste material, toxins, and heavy metals from the body.
The Journal of Nutritional Healing and Aging (2007, Mar-April) lists compelling information that suggests many health benefits belong to silicon. PubMed acknowledges that compelling data supports these benefits, although further studies are needed.
In the past, the diet of the average person provided enough silicon for the body to maintain itself. However, new farming methods and changes in our dietary habits (increased consumption of highly processed foods) do not provide our bodies with an adequate amount today. Also, silicon levels in our bodies naturally decrease with age. Without adequate amounts of silicon, the aging process accelerates, allowing joint pain, digestive issues, wrinkled skin, to name a few, to become an accepted part of our lives.