PlanetRx - Learn More - Product Advice - Silicon

Just a trace of silicon does the job

Silicon is a trace mineral, meaning that your system contains less than one teaspoon of it. But trace though it is, silicon plays an important role in building your bones, cartilage, and connective tissue. It's easily available from the foods you eat, like potatoes, seafood, and whole grains, so don't worry about a deficiency.

Quick Facts About Silicon

There's no RDA, but the average intake for adults in the United States is about 200 mg per day.
Good food sources of silicon include whole grains, seafood, root vegetables, potatoes, and beans.
Wide availability of food sources means that deficiency is unlikely.

You May Need More Silicon if You Have (or Have Had)

Chronic malnutrition

Forms Available

In antacids
In gas-relief medications
Vegetal Silica, an extract of the herb horsetail

Chemical Forms

Magnesium trisilicate
Silicon dioxide (Silica)
Simethicone

Comments on Silicon

Simethicone is used for gas relief.
Extract from an herb called horsetail is used to obtain vegetal silica.

Known Benefits of Silicon

Aids in bone mineralization
Helps form collagen
Helps form glycosaminoglycans

Silicon May Prevent These Signs of Deficiency

Clinical deficiency has not been reported. Deficiency might result in:

Abnormal bone formation
Cartilage abnormalities
Abnormal bone mineralization

Recommended Dosage Range for Silicon

There is no suggested recommended daily allowance for silicon.
In the United States, the average consumption of silicon is 200 mg per day.
Consult your physician before starting any supplement regimen.

Dietary Sources

Food Tips

Vegetables and seafood are good sources of silicon.

Foods High in Silicon
Brewer's yeast Seafoods Whole grains Potatoes Meat

When and How to Take Silicon

Silicon is a trace element and is necessary in very small quantities that can be obtained through a healthy diet.

What Not to Take with Silicon

Molybdenum may inhibit silicon absorption.

Storage

Keep silicon in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and air.
Don't store silicon in your bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may make it less effective.
Store safely out of children's reach.

Warnings

Consult a physician before use or do not use silicon if:

You are about to start a high-dose supplement program.

Silicon May Have Interactions with

None anticipated.

Side Effects

None anticipated.

Signs of Overdose

Inhaling silicon dioxide dust can lead to granulomas and fibrosis in your lungs.
Overdose is rare except in occupations in which chronic exposure to silica dust is likely, such as mining, stonecutting, sand-blasting, and foundry work.

What to Do in Case of Overdose

Stop use and contact your physician immediately.

Sources & Further Reading

Books

1. Dell, BL and Sunde, RA.Handbook of Nutritionally Essential Mineral Elements. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, NY 1997.

2. Fauci et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Fourteenth Ed. McGraw-Hill Co., Inc. 1998.

3. Groff, JL, Gropper, SS, Hunt, SM.Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, Second Ed. West Pub. Co. St. Paul, MN 1995.

Find more books on health and wellness at barnesandnoble.com.

Articles

1. Bell?s M, S?nchez DJ, G?mez M, Corbella J, Domingo JL.Silicon reduces aluminum accumulation in rats: relevance to the aluminum hypothesis of Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 1998 Jun 12:2 83-7.

2. Burns CJ, Laing TJ, Gillespie BW, Heeringa SG, Alcser KH, Mayes MD, Wasko MC, Cooper BC, Garabrant DH, Schottenfeld D.The epidemiology of scleroderma among women: assessment of risk from exposure to silicone and silica. J Rheumatol 1996 Nov 23:11 1904-11.

3. Perry CC, Keeling-Tucker T.Aspects of the bioinorganic chemistry of silicon in conjunction with the biometals calcium, iron and aluminium. J Inorg Biochem 1998 Feb 15 69:3 181-91.

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PlanetRx - Learn More - Product Advice - Silicon

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