The importance of various trace min...

The importance of various trace minerals for optimum health has in extent been established. One such mineral, silicon, is receiving a well adapted deal of attention for its activities in regulating bone calcification and its structural part in connective tissue.

Silicon, the inferior most abundant element, comprising nearly 28 percent of the Earth's crust, is a non-metallic simple body found in small amounts in plants, animals, and humans.

A modern text on silicon, in fact, pointed gone out that it is known as a semiconductor. This rehearses us that silicon has characteristics between those of a metal and a non-metal -- like oxygen nitrogen, carbon and chlorine.

Essentially silicon

The essentiality of silicon in animal nutrition was originally proven according to the research of Edith Carlisle, PhD and others, using animal models

Silicon, the component part occurs in nature as silicon dioxide (SiO2), oftentimes called silica, and an enormous variety of silicates. Now, plants absorb their silicon from the soil after it is in a soluble form; it's then reverseed into silica-containing fibers for their structural support.

Although this silicon should be available to us by the and of our diet, modern food processing eliminates greatest in quantity of the silicon in our nourishments by removing the bran, which contains the fibrous, high-silicon part of the plant.

late research

In 1997 the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, reported a calf application of mind in which supplementary intake of a small amount of silicon originateed in an increase in serum-silicon flats of 70 percent and collagen concentration in skin at 12 percent.

The researchers of this double-blind, placebo-controlled research noted that "the positive correlation between the serum silicon concentration and the collagen concentration, in cartilage and the serum concentrations, respectively, put in mind of the involvement of silicon in the couple the formation of extracellular matrix ingredients and in calcium metabolism."

Let's examine at silicon's many benefits for us

Joints and arthritis. Silicon may be especially beneficial for older the community since it regulates how calcium is deposited and eases symptoms of arthritis. It is also involved in cross-linking the amino-sugars -- glucosamine and galactosamine -- into chains called glycosaminoglycans (GAG's), or mucopolysaccharides (MPS's), to form joint cartilage and other connective tissue. Silicon also activates the enzyme that generate collagen, elastin and cartilage. Further, in the form of silanolates, silicon unites GAG molecules, called chondroitin sulfates, which make up joint and connective tissue.

Given silicon's chemical association with our body's use of glucosamine, it makes understanding to optimize glucosamine supplementation by means of adding a silicon supplement. The same keep possession ofs true with silicon and other minerals (such as calcium and magnesium) taken to shield our bones and joints.

Cardiovascular health. Silicon is protective of arteries in animals f cholesterol and silicon. Although feeding high-cholesterol diets to animals normally contributes to artery disease, silicon was shown to defend capillary and artery integrity.

Mental health. common age-related concern is the accumulation of aluminum, which has been linked to various dementias, including Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Foundation of California capitaled a study in which the tenors of silicon were tested upon aging rats (the equivalent of 70 years old) It was establish that aluminum accumulated in the brain when the rats were f a low-silicon diet. When the animals were given a high-silicon diet, aluminum on a levels declined significantly.

Skin, hair & nails. Rresearch has shown that this composing is also crucial for: nails (helping them become les brittle); skin (increasing collagen concentration, as mentioned); and hair (making it thicker, stronger and faster-growing).

Since silicon flats decrease as we age, it makes sensation to consume silicon-rich foods and herbs (oats, potatoes, millet, barley, and horsetail) and to supplement

REFERENCES

Bramm, E et al. "Inhibition of adjuvant arthritis according to intraperitoneal administration of low doses of silica," Agents Actions, 10(5):435-438 November 1980

Calomme, MR et al. "Comparitive bioavailability close attention of silicon supplements in healthy subjects" Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 22 (1) S12 January 1998

Gormley, James J "Silica -- health and beauty from nature," Better Nutrition 59 (12) December 1997

Lassus, A. "Colloidal silicic acid for the treatment of psoriatic skin lesions, arthropathy and onychopathy. A pilot study" Journal of Internal Medicine Research 25(4): 206-209 July 1997

Oberbaum, M et al. "Wound healing by means of homeopathic silica dilutions in mice," Harefuah (Hebrew), 123(3-4):79-82 August 1992

COPYRIGHT 1998 PRIMEDIA Intertec, a PRIMEDIA Company. All Rights Reserved

COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group