An Increasingly Recognized Mineral for Health: Silicon

Silicon in nature is always combined with oxygen and is second to it as the most plentiful element in the earth. In biological systems, silica molecules can react with water to become monoorthosilicic acid, which is bioactive. Studies using sodium monomethasilicate were found to be essential for normal growth, bone formation, and connective tissue function. Silicon in bioactive form as silicic acid, has been also found to be an important part of collagen formation. It also increased extracellular matrix formation, proline conversion, and a range of other beneficial effects (1). 

Brain Health

Silica is also implicated in brain health and has been found to have a neuroprotective effect. Of the 12 brain regions examined, the highest levels of silicon in were seen in the caudate, hippocampus, posterior cortex, olfactory bulbs, lentiform nucleus and mid brain  (1). One of the greatest benefits of silica to the brain is in removing aluminum, to which it has high affinity. Adding aluminum to diets was found to significantly decrease silicon levels in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, caudite, and lentiform nucleus. In human and rat models, the brain became more susceptible to aluminum with aging. It appears that the brain uses silicon and stores it as a way to protect the brain from aluminum.

Silica in Other Areas of the Body

Silicon also is present it higher than serum levels in the connective tissue, heart aorta, trachea, tendons, bones, and skin. Aging decreases silicon in the skin and aorta, associated with the reduced production of collagen, and glycosaminoglycans. Silicon supplementation is needed for hydration of the cellular matrix, as well as producing these other compounds needed by the skin and aorta. Silicon in rabbit studies was found to prevent aortic lesion from a high cholesterol diet, as well as improve the elasticity and thickness of the aorta wall (2).

Silicon for Tumors

Rat studies have shown that low-silicon diets increase tumor incidence, and that supplementation with silica decreases them. A longitudinal study on rats found that those receiving silicon in their diets experienced no brain tumors, compared to 60% of the control group. (Carlisle). Unfortunately, no follow-up study has been done

Nano-Particles

Silicon nanoparticles have been developed to target cancer cells, and hold promise over other metallic nanoparticles. As noted by senior research fellow, Luibov Osminkina,

“Gold, silver, titanium oxide, cadmium selenide, and plenty of other nanoparticles are almost not excreted…When nanoparticles reach the bloodstream, they can get stuck in internal organs, and after a while they begin to harm the organism due to prolonged toxic effects.” She said that in her research, “for the first time we have shown that porous silicon nanoparticles could be completely harmless theranostics agents for many types of cancer.” (3).

Silicon is far more biocompatible than these other metal nanoparticles, and when it dissolves, it turns into silicic acid, which promotes healthy bones, skin, tissues, etc.  The variable surface properties of mesophorus silica make it far more biocompatible than other forms of nanoparticles, and could be negatively, positively, or neutrally charged. Greater immune response and cellular toxicity is generated by positively charged nanoparticles, however, despite their cellular toxicity. Mesophorous silica can be implanted with anti-cancer compounds due to it high porosity, surface area, and adjustable size. It has been proposed not only for nanocarrier drug delivery, but also for immunotherapy.

Best Sources of Silica?

Silica is found in many foods, but is highest in herbs like horsetail, and vegetables like bamboo. For dietary supplementation, bamboo-derived silica is a good option, while horsetail extract also works for some people. Another options Diatomaceous earth, which is composed mostly of silica, and when combined with water, will form the types of bioavailable silicic acid that the body can use.

References

1. https://www.optimox.com/content/Iodine%20Research%20Resources/bioactive-silicates.pdf
2. Dudek, Ł., Kochman, W., & Dziedzic, E. (2024). Silicon in prevention of atherosclerosis and other age-related diseases. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 11, 1370536.
3. https://spectrum.ieee.org/silicon-nanoparticles-provide-biocompatible-solution-to-cancer-treatment-and-detection
4. Li, SR., Huo, FY., Wang, HQ. et al. Recent advances in porous nanomaterials-based drug delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy. J Nanobiotechnol 20, 277 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-022-01489-4