Silicon
- Essential for living organisms. Silicon (Si) performs an important role in the metabolism of
connective tissue, cartilage and bone. In the latter Si appears to mediate the formation of the
organic matrix. Collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis also require the presence of Si (1).
- Si and arginine are involved in collagen formation and bone mineralization. In rats it was
found that Si deprivation decreased bone concentration of calcium, copper, potassium, zinc
and manganese. Arginine supplementation increased bone concentration of sodium, potassium,
manganese, zinc and iron in Si-deficient animals (2).
- Si deficiency may result in poor wound healing as well as a decreased liver ornithine
aminotransferase activity, a key enzyme in proline synthesis (3).
- Biological role not fully determined in humans. In a recent study it has been shown that the
silicon to calcium ratio varies along the human backbone suggesting that Si is compatible
with the biokinetics of calcium in the vertebral bone structure (4).
- Health benefits: Silicon appears to be important for the growth and calcification of bones as well as for the normal growth of skin, hair and nails. There
is some evidence to suggest that Si may play a role in delaying the onset of atherosclerosis (5).
In an animal model study it has been shown that Si inhibited the gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum, which may be relevant to the Alzheimer disease where aluminum is known to exert
a neurotoxic effect (6).
- Best food sources: Unrefined grains, oatmeal
and brown rice, root vegetables.
References
1. Carlisle, E.M. (1988) Sci. Total Environ. 73(1-2) 95-106. Silicon as a trace nutrient.
2. Seaborn, C.D. & Nielsen, F.H. (2002) Biol. Trace Elem.Res. 89(3) 239-250. Dietary silicon
and arginine affect mineral element composition of rat femur and vertebra.
3. Seaborn, C.D. & Nielsen, F.H. (2002) Biol. Trace Elem.Res. 89(3) 251-261. Silicon
deprivation decreases collagen formation in wounds and bone, and ornithine
transaminase activity in liver.
4. Yamada, M.O. et al. (2003) Biol. Trace Elem.Res. 95(2) 113-121. Silicon compatible with
the height of human vertebral column.
5. Mancinella, A. (1991) Clin.Ter. 137(5) 343-350. Silicon, a trace element essential to living
organisms. Recent knowledge on its preventive role in atherosclerosis process,
aging and neoplasm.
6. Belles, M. et al. (1998) Alzheimer Dis.Assoc.Disord. 12(2) 83-87. Silicon reduces aluminum
accumulation in rats: relevance to the aluminum hypothesis of Alzheimer disease.
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