Silicon is one of the substances in our surroundings that have the greatest prevalence of all. The silicon content is greatest in organs and tissues that demand strenght, i.e. arteries, bones, connective tissues, eyes, hair, lymph nodes, mucous membranes, nails, skin, and tendons.
Without silicon, the connective tissues, nails, skin, and vessel walls cannot uphold their elasticity and strenght. It helps maintain the vessels' flexibility and has a decisive role in cardiovascular diseases.
Silicon counteracts aluminium poisoning and is therefore important in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis.
Silicon has an effect on the deposition of calcium in the bones and has many other important biological functions in the body. The amount of silicon in the body decreases with age.
Low concentrations of silicon in sclerotic vessels have created the suspicion that a silicon deficiency might have an effect on the development of atherosclerosis.
A lot of people have problems absorbing silicon from their food. To increase the absorption of silicon it is a good idea to consume a lot of silicon-rich foods like horsetail, brown rice, beans, whole grain, sprouts, root vegetables, red and green peppers, soy beans, salad, spinach, Jerusalem artichokes, barley, millet, oats, cabbage, spring water, and tomatoes.
Boron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium enhance the absorption of silicon.
Mother's milk contains a fair amount of silicon. So does almonds and vegetables.
Silicon deficiency symptoms are fragile skin and hair, soft and cracked nails, slack connective tissues, reduced resistance to inflammation in sinuses, osteoporosis, and lung sufferings.
Furthermore, deficiency symptoms can arise such as itching between fingers and toes, sweaty hands, phlegm in the throat, wrinkles, slack skin, eczema, fragile hair and split ends, bad absorption of nutrients from food, lung- and urinary tract problems, arthrosis, weak back, and slipped discs.
Silicon can be taken in doses of up to 400 mg. daily.
There are no known overdosing symptoms.
