8 keys about silicon that you should know

Silicon is found in the deep structures of the body, where specific cells form bone or connective tissue. A good intake can be important to prevent musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoporosis, inflammatory processes or premature aging.

A few decades ago it was stated that its presence in the body was only a vestige of our geochemical origin. (it is the most abundant mineral in the earth’s crust) or a contaminant that slipped into the body. Science no longer speaks with such contempt, but for now lists it only as a “possibly essential trace element.”

The fact is that it is found in cells and tissues, although its exact role in metabolic processes is unknown. And, although conventional medicine is not concerned about its deficit, if a mouse is totally deprived of it, it suffers musculoskeletal abnormalities terrible.

Silicon, a key mineral for health

A body without silicon would probably be a mess., since it is a constituent of osteoblasts, the cells that form and repair cartilage and bones; collagen, which affects the condition of the skin, especially its elasticity; and connective tissue, which protects and connects organs and body structures.

He silicon It is an essential mineral that plays a very important role for the good functioning of the organism. Below we offer you 7 keys to understand how it works and incorporate it into your diet.

1. Symptoms of silicon deficiency

A slight deficiency of silicon produces brittle nails and hair, stretch marks on the skin, inflammation at the musculoskeletal level and premature aging. Serious symptoms of this deficiency have only been observed in the laboratory.

2. Recommended daily dose

has been located recommended daily dose of silicon between 15 and 35 mg, of which half is absorbed. In Europe, women get an average of 25 mg and men 32. However, in populations with a plant-based diet the average intake is 170 mg.

3. What foods provide more silicon?

We can obtain silicon from many vegetable sources.s. Whole grains (rice, oats, barley, rye, wheat), green beans, cucumber (with skin), celery, radish, banana, mushrooms, red lentils, nuts, carrots stand out. , spinach, grapes (with skin), mango, pineapple, seeds and spices such as coriander.

Brown millet is the food with the most silicon. It contains more than 500mg per 100gr and for this reason it is becoming popular in central and northern Europe. As a remedy, 20-40 g are usually taken in the form of wholemeal flour, raw and diluted in water or juice. It is also rich in magnesium, zinc and iron.

Beer is also a good source of silicon., for many men the main one. In fact, it is surely the reason why, in statistics, they obtain more silicon than women. In 300 ml of beer there are about 6 mg of orthosalicylic acid, of which 55% is absorbed. The contribution does not vary much either by the type or by the origin of the beer.

4. Do you need to take a supplement?

Studies on the effects of supplementation have been carried out with 6 to 60 mg daily for a determined period of time. The most frequent is a supplementation -under medical control- of 25-30 mg with orthosilicic acid, which is sometimes stabilized with choline for better absorption.

5. Plants rich in silicon

It is found in the cauda equina (Equisetum arvense) in the form of monosalicylic acid. This plant is indicated as a diuretic and for all kinds of skin problems. Due to its richness in silicon, it is recommended to favor the repair and strengthening of any tissue (after surgery, fractures, etc.).

6. It can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s

This is suggested by a study by the Rovira i Virgili University in Reus (Tarragona). Silicon reduces the absorption and retention of aluminum, concentrated in the brain of the patients. It could be preventive or therapeutic, but it is not yet clear if the presence of aluminum is a cause or a consequence of Alzheimer’s.

7. Prevents osteoporosis

Before it was believed that it did not produce any effect; however, the latest studies confirm that women of childbearing age who take more silicon have higher bone density and, therefore, lower risk of osteoporosis. Supplementation can be effective when the disease has been diagnosed.

8. Silicon in coronary disorders

The elasticity and resistance of blood vessels – and of the skin and ligaments – depends on elastin, of which silicon is a constituent. In the body, one of the places with the most silicon is the inner “lining” of the aorta. A silicon deficiency could be related to coronary alterationss.