Silica

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Silica
- Silicon
- Silicon dioxide
- Silicic acid
- Orthosilicic acid

Latin Name: N/A (mineral compound - SiO₂)

Category: Mineral

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Horsetail tea (rich in silica) used for centuries in European folk medicine for strengthening hair, nails, and bones
• Traditional Chinese medicine employed silicon-rich plants to support kidney function and connective tissue health
• Native American traditions used horsetail externally for wound healing

Modern Uses

• Hair, Skin, and Nail Support - Strengthens keratin structures and improves skin elasticity | Research quality: Moderate
• Key findings: In a study of 50 women, there was a 29% average increase in skin thickness and 50% of women with thin or brittle hair/nails reported significant improvements after 3 months of treatment

• Source citations: Brewer, Encyclopedia of Vitamins; Moyad, The Supplement Handbook

• Bone Health and Mineralization - Supports collagen cross-linking and bone mineral density | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Silica strengthens bone by cross-linking collagen strands and has been shown to increase mineralization in growing bones, especially when calcium intake is low

• Source citations: Brewer, Encyclopedia of Vitamins; Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine

• Connective Tissue Support - Maintains elasticity in cartilage, tendons, and arterial walls | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Silica preserves elasticity of connective tissue and controls calcium absorption; deficiency may contribute to arteriosclerosis due to loss of elasticity in arterial walls

• Source citations: Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Wood, The Earthwise Herbal

• Wound Healing - Supports tissue repair and collagen formation | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Silica is essential for the healing of wounds and bones; promotes the processing and discharge of metabolic wastes
• Source citations: Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) - The base mineral compound that provides structural support to connective tissues
- Silicic acid - The biologically active, water-soluble form that the body can absorb and utilize
- Orthosilicic acid (OSA) - The monomeric, bioavailable form found in supplements and naturally occurring in certain foods

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Capsule, liquid, or colloidal preparation
- Amount: 10-30 mg per day
- Frequency: Once or twice daily

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA)
- Amount: 10 mg daily (5 mg morning and evening)
- Purpose: Hair, skin, and nail improvement
- Duration: Minimum 12-20 weeks for visible results

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: 30 mg from supplements
- Warning threshold: Excessive supplementation may increase kidney stone risk

Bioavailability Notes:
- Choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA) is the most clinically studied and bioavailable form
- Colloidal silica and orthosilicic acid are also well-absorbed forms
- Silicon from plant sources (horsetail) may have limited bioavailability but has traditional precedent
- Silica content in the body decreases naturally with age

How to Take It

Timing:
- Can be taken at any time of day
- May be taken with or without food
- For ch-OSA form, split dosing (morning and evening) is recommended

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Calcium - Silica assists calcium absorption and bone mineralization | Enhanced bone density and strength
2. Vitamin C - Both support collagen synthesis | Improved skin elasticity and wound healing
3. Biotin - Combined support for keratin structures | Comprehensive hair, skin, and nail support
4. Zinc - Both support connective tissue and skin health | Enhanced skin healing and immune function
5. Collagen - Silica cross-links collagen fibers | Improved structural integrity of connective tissues

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. None significant - Silica is generally well-tolerated with other supplements

Drug Interactions:
1. Diuretics - May affect mineral balance with long-term use | Monitor electrolytes | Severity level: Mild

Food Interactions:
- No significant food interactions known

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Kidney disease or history of kidney stones (use with caution)
- Those on dialysis should consult healthcare provider before use

Side Effects:
- Generally well-tolerated at recommended doses
- Excessive intake may contribute to kidney stone formation
- Rare: mild gastrointestinal discomfort

Long-Term Use:
- Horsetail-based silica supplements: Recommended to cycle (one month on, one week off) to avoid kidney strain due to heavy mineral content
- Ch-OSA forms appear safe for extended use at recommended doses
- Monitor kidney function with prolonged high-dose supplementation

Special Precautions:
- Those with kidney conditions should consult healthcare provider
- Pregnant and nursing women should consult healthcare provider before use
- Choose reputable supplement brands to avoid contamination

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Brittle nails, thinning hair, skin elasticity, bone health, connective tissue support

Secondary: Wound healing, arterial health, joint support, nail fungus (with horsetail)

Sources

Local Library:
- Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins
- Moyad, Mark - The Supplement Handbook
- Bartram, Thomas - Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
- Wood, Matthew - The Earthwise Herbal Volume 1
- Curtis, Susan - Neal's Yard Remedies
- Gladstar, Rosemary - Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health
- Hoffman, David - Holistic Herbal
- Mars, Brigitte - The Country Almanac of Home Remedies
- Lust, John - The Natural Remedy Bible
- Dunn, Peter - A-Z of Herbal Remedies

General Knowledge:
- Clinical studies on ch-OSA supplementation
- Nutritional biochemistry of silicon metabolism