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

If we wonder where silicon is found, we have to know that this mineral is organically present in a large part of the body. From hair to tendons, through 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 silicon such as Silicium G7 Original, Silicium G7 Siliplant or Living Silica Collagen Booster (with the two most assimilable types of silicon on the market).

Properties and uses of silicon

Before delving into where organic silicon is found, remembering that it is one of the most important essential trace elements in the body, learn how to avoid a lack of silicon. Since it participates in a variety of regenerative processes, thanks to collagen and elastin. Scientific studies have shown it to be useful for:

• Promote the recovery of muscles and tendons that are fragile, by nourishing them in addition to providing them with greater elasticity.

• Stimulate the formation of bone tissue, being useful to accelerate the healing of fractures and prevent osteoporosis.

• Protect the skin from the signs of aging, helping to keep it shiny, with an improvement of wrinkles and flaccidity.

• Provide consistency to the nails and vitality to the hair, improving its overall appearance.

• Reduce aluminum levels in the body, a heavy metal that has been linked to the development of some neurodegenerative diseases when this toxic is present in high amounts. There are numerous studies that support the efficacy of silicon, which "helps eliminate aluminum, harmful to health in high amounts" (Polonini H.C. 2019).

Where is silicon found in food?

From the age of 35 the concentration of silicon in our body decreases. Therefore, we need an extra intake outside food, where silicon is found naturally. They are not enough to cover the recommended daily dose, which is between 15 and 35 milligrams.

In fact, we only absorb half of what we eat. Since this depends on the usual diet we follow and how we cook. For example, when products are prepared at high temperatures, they lose a large percentage of their trace element content. The following are the foods richest in silicon.

Vegetables

All vegetables: cucumber, lettuce, onion, cabbage, carrot, pumpkin, green bean, broccoli, asparagus, radish, spinach, etcetera. The ideal is to eat them raw so that the mineral does not remain in the water during long cooking. Another alternative is to sauté or steam them.

Nuts and dried fruits

Hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds... Actually the same thing happens as in the previous case: all nuts are good sources of silicon, so we can consume the ones we like the most.

Fruits

In citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines and lemons is where silicon is found. The same as in strawberries, kiwi, apple, mango, grapes and bananas, among other fruits.

Whole grains

Of this group we emphasize the quinoa, millet, oats, rice and rye. Although wheat bran, barley, soybean, corn or pasta are also useful. They must be integral because the processes of refining eliminate the silicon that is in organic form in the crusts of the cereals.

Supplements with organic silicon

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 silicon in the body. Such as those mentioned at the beginning of the text

Although the range of capsules is also available, which includes products such as Silicium G7 Activ+, a formula with magnesium and vitamin C in addition to organic silicon to provide 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, where organic silicon is found, are a totally viable way to increase our dose of the trace element. Because our body does not discard it and assimilates it without any problem. So you know how to take it.