What is silica good for?
Silica is a compound that is formed from silicon and oxygen, specifically as silicon dioxide. Silica is a very ubiquitous material in our daily lives, as it is used in the production of textiles, electronic devices, and especially in the manufacture of glass.
However, aside from it's industrial and commercial applications, silica is also very important for our health. You may have intuitively assumed as you were reading this, perhaps from your familiarity with silicon-based products, that silica plays a role in such things as our skin, nails, hair and bones, and you would be entirely correct.
Role in collagen production
Perhaps silica's most fundamental function within the human body is the way in which it promotes the production of collagen, which is the most common protein found in our bodies, and is vital for providing the structure of our skin and bones, as well as our ligaments and a variety of other connective tissues.
Collagen production decreases with age, so it becomes increasingly important to counter this deficiency, either by taking supplemental collagen, or by taking nutrients that promote natural collagen production, such as vitamin C, glycine, or silica itself.
Several studies have revealed how silica supplementation stabilizes and lubricates our joints, in addition to reducing joint inflammation, while other studies have shown how silica improves the rate and quality of recovery in people who have suffered ligament or tendon injuries.
Benefits for hair & nail health
Silica also promotes hair health. While it hasn't yet been proven that silica reverses hair loss, it has been demonstrated to provide vital nutrients to the hair follicles in our scalp, which are essentially our hair's roots, strengthening hair and preventing breakage.
One study performed in 2007 that involved 48 women with naturally fine hair observed a significant strengthening of the individual hair strands by taking 10mg of silicon daily for a period of nine months.
In a similar fashion, silica benefits our nails by delivering orthosilicic acid to the cells responsible for nail production, resulting in healthier, stronger and more flexible nails.
Role in cardiovascular health
And lastly, but by no means of least importance, research shows that silica improves our cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, which is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup in the artery walls.
Silica also has proven to lower cholesterol levels as well as reduce inflammation that is associated with many cardiovascular conditions.
When should I take silica?
Silica is best taken just before meals, approximately 15 minutes before a meal, in order to maximize absorption, although there does not seem to be a specific time of day that seems best suited for silica absorption.
What are natural sources of silica?
If you are interested in achieving your daily silica intake through your diet, rich sources of silica include:
- Green beans
- Bananas
- Brown rice
- Grains
- Leafy greens
Silica data sources & further reading
Last updated by Asklepios on 30th January, 2025