Where is silica found: what are its properties and uses?

If you are wondering where silica is found, you should know that this mineral is present in organic form in many parts of the body. From hair to tendons, teeth, nails, bones, blood vessels, cartilage and muscles. Here we review the benefits it brings to our health, especially by promoting the production of collagen and elastin.

In addition, we see how we can introduce it into our diet through the consumption of specific food groups. And also through supplements based on organic silica such as Silicium G7 Original, Silicium G7 Siliplant or Living Silica Collagen Booster (with the two most assimilable types of silica on the market).

Properties and uses of silica

Before going into more detail on where organic silica is found, we should remember that it is one of the most important essential trace elements in the body. It is involved in a variety of regenerative processes, thanks to collagen and elastin. Scientific studies have shown it to be useful for:

• Promote the recovery of fragile muscles and tendons by nourishing them as well as making them more elastic.
• Stimulate the formation of bone tissue, which is useful for accelerating the healing of fractures and preventing osteoporosis.
• Protect the skin from the signs of ageing, helping to keep it glowing, with an improvement in wrinkles and sagging.
• To give consistency to the nails and vitality to the hair, improving its overall appearance.
• Reduce levels of aluminium in the body, a heavy metal that has been linked to the development of some neurodegenerative diseases when this toxic substance is present in high quantities. Numerous studies support the efficacy of silica, which “helps to eliminate aluminium, which is harmful to health in high quantities” (Polonini H.C. 2019).

Where is silica found in food?

After the age of 35, the concentration of silica in our body decreases. We therefore need an extra supply from food, where silica is found naturally. These are not sufficient to cover the recommended daily dose, which is between 15 and 35 milligrams.

What’s more, we actually absorb only half of what we eat. This depends on our usual diet and how we cook. For example, when products are prepared at high temperatures, they lose a large percentage of their trace element content. Here are the foods richest in silica.

Vegetables

All vegetables: cucumber, lettuce, onion, cabbage, carrot, pumpkin, green bean, broccoli, asparagus, radish, spinach and so on. Ideally, they should be eaten raw so that the mineral does not remain in the water during long cooking. Alternatively, they can be sautéed or steamed.

Frutos secos

Hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds… It is really the same as in the previous case: all nuts are good sources of silica, so we can consume the ones we like best.

Fruits

Silica is found in citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines and lemons. It is also found in strawberries, kiwi fruit, apples, mangoes, grapes and bananas, among other fruits.

Wholegrain cereals

From this group we highlight quinoa, millet, oats, rice and rye. Although wheat bran, barley, soya, maize and pasta are also useful. They must be wholemeal because the refining processes eliminate the silica that is organically present in the grain husks.

Supplements with organic silica

Apart from the fact that we can obtain the mineral through drinks such as horsetail or bamboo infusions, it is also highly recommended to use food supplements to maintain the ideal levels of silica in the body. Such as those mentioned at the beginning of this text: Silicium G7 Original, Silicium G7 Siliplant and Living Silica Collagen Booster.

However, there is also a range of capsules available, including products such as Silicium G7 Activ+, a formula with magnesium and vitamin C in addition to organic silica for even more benefits. Or the gels and creams, which penetrate quickly into the skin and joints when applied to various parts of the body.

These products, which contain organic silica, are a completely viable way of increasing our dose of the trace element. Because our body does not discard it and assimilates it without any problem. So now you know how to take it.