Silicon

Silicon is one of the most abundant mineral elements on the earth’s surface. Foods that contain silicon include: grains, oats, barley, coffee and vegetables.1,2

Forms

  • Silicon Dioxide: Silicon dioxide is prepared by combining silicon tetrachloride, hydrogen, and oxygen in a high-temperature flame. Silicon dioxide is widely distributed in foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and beans.

Major Health Benefits

Silicon has been found play an important role for healthy bones and connective tissue by contributing to collagen synthesis and stabilization.3 Silicon also contributes to maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails.4 Silicon may also aid the healing process due to its importance in the formation of connective tissue.5

References

  1. Pennington JA. Silicon in foods and diets. Food Addit Contam. 1991 Jan-Feb;8(1):97-118. PMID: 2015936.
  2. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. The National Academic Press. 2001. (pp. 530) https://www.nap.edu/read/10026/chapter/15
  3. Jugdaohsingh R. Silicon and bone health. J Nutr Health Aging. 2007 Mar-Apr;11(2):99-110. PMID: 17435952; PMCID:PMC2658806.
  4. Jurkić LM, Cepanec I, Pavelić SK, Pavelić K. Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2013 Jan 8;10(1):2. PMID: 23298332; PMCID: PMC3546016.
  5. Martin KR. Silicon: the health benefits of a metalloid. Met Ions Life Sci. 2013;13:451-73. PMID: 24470100.