SILICA HELPS PROMOTE ARTHRITIS IMMUNITY, FLEXIBLE CLEAR UNCLOGGED ARTERIES, COLLAGEN FOR WRINKLE FREE SKIN, THICK HAIR AND STRONG NAILS

Written By: Dr. Charles Mesko

Silica is essential to all living matter. Humans have a critical need for this vital mineral. In the 1930s, silica was discovered to be an essential nutrient for both humans and animals. (dogs, cats and horses also all need silica) During the 1970s, it was found that silica supplementation aided bone and cartilage growth. By the 1990s, pharmaceutical companies were busy developing silica for use in wound and burn dressings. Silica was found to cause wounds to heal very quickly and was excellent to stabilize burns.

Clinical research in 1993 documented that treatment with silica stimulates bone formation and stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin.

CERTAIN POPULATIONS WITH HIGH AMOUNTS OF NATURALLY OCCURING ORGANIC SILICA CONTAINED IN THEIR DRINKING WATER WERE FOUND TO HAVE A HIGH IMMUNITY TO ARTHRITIS AND JOINT PROBLEMS

Research scientists discovered that certain populations living in remote and totally isolated areas of the world, with high amounts of natural silica in their drinking water, seem to be blessed with a remarkable immunity to arthritis and joint problems normally associated with old age. These populations appeared to be virtually free of arthritis and joint problems. These isolated regions vary from tropical to harsh bitter cold mountain climates. The diets of these populations also varied from strict vegetarian to mostly meat, milk and cheese consumption. Men and women in their late 80's and 90's were found to appear much younger than their actual years, were very physically active, worked long days and easily walked many miles each day.

One such population are the people living in the mountain range in the country of Georgia located next to Russia. The people living in Georgia have been cut off from the rest of the world by an extreme mountain terrain. Their lives are by no means easy. They work very hard just to exist and survive in this harsh and severe climate. Older people native to Georgia were found to be remarkably free from arthritis and degenerative joint problems. It is not uncommon to find 60 and 70 year old men and women working long days side by side with their 80 and 90 year or older parents. Scientists wanted to find out what was their secret. Thousands of tests over the years were conducted on the food supply, soil and drinking water. It was well known that when people from this region moved far away, they developed normal arthritis and joint problems.

It was discovered that the Georgia mountain ground water supply contained a highly absorbable form of natural organic silica. The older dogs of this region also seemed to enjoy a remarkable vitality normally only associated with much younger canines.

Humans are born with an abundance of silica and relatively low amounts of calcium. As we age, the amount of calcium increases and the amount of silica decreases within the body. Silica enhances the function of iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and boron, and is essential for bone development and growth. Bones need silica to re-calcify and to strengthen tissue. A silica deficiency in the body causes a calcium deficiency which, in turn, results in a loss of tissue elasticity and collagen. Common examples of loss of elasticity and collagen are: sagging and aging skin, heart and artery disease, painful joints, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, neuralgia, neuritis and carpal tunnel. Silica is also one of the most important constituents of body connective tissue, including cartilage, vascular lining, tendons, and ligaments. Silica is found in the thymus gland, the adrenal glands, the liver, the spleen, the pancreas and is found in considerable quantity in hair. It functions as a cross-linking agent, providing strength, flexibility, and resilience to collagen and elastin connective tissues. Silica is known to play a part in the integrity of the bones, arterial walls, skin, teeth, gums, hair and nails, and has been used to alleviate eczema and psoriasis. Research is presently being conducted in determining the role of silica in rheumatic disorders and arterial disease.

Silica prevents osteoporosis by strengthening the musculoskeletal system thus preventing many injuries and also speeds up the healing of fractures. Silica does this by helping in the creation of the body’s structural matrix for forming and repairing connective tissue. It also contributes to the buildup of minerals on this matrix during development. Silica is present in osteoblasts (bone forming cells) responsible for the deposition of calcium phosphate on the protein matrix of bone. It stimulates chondroblasts or cartilage-forming cells to deposit proteins and other structural materials on the matrix. Finally, it helps in the building process of fiber-forming cells important to the creation of collagen.

Silica is thought to improve the cardiovascular system, decreasing the risk of coronary problems. It has been shown to be abundant (up to 14 times more) in the arteries of people who are free of heart disease. It is essential in maintaining the structural integrity, elasticity and permeability of the arteries, thereby helping to regulate blood pressure.

There is a relationship between silica and the rate of aluminum concentration in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. New research points to the fact that a deficiency of silica in one’s diet is a causal effect of an increase of aluminum in the body, and its ultimate accumulation into the synapses of the brain. Silica seems to play an important role in helping the body to eliminate this accumulation of aluminum, which is thought to be a causative factor in certain forms of senility, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Research shows that skeletal diseases such as osteomalacia (soft bones), and osteoporosis (porous bones and/or spontaneous fractures, as well as shrinkage) although caused by a calcium deficiency, do not respond to calcium therapy alone. Research conducted in Paris, France by noted biophysicists Louis Kervran, and in the United States by Dr. Richard Barmakian, shows that fractured bones did not heal at all when high amounts of calcium were present. They heal fair to poorly when moderate amounts of calcium were present. However, they heal extremely well when relatively low amounts of calcium were present with silica and Vitamin D. It has been shown that in bone demineralization, silica deficiency is thought to be a precursor to calcium deficiency.

Maintaining a healthy level of silica may overall slow down the aging process. The average adult body requires an estimated 14 mg to 42 mg of silica per day to promote good health. However, the body metabolizes and eliminates about 10-40 mg of silica per day through urination, hair loss and nail trimming. Thus, the body’s natural level of silica declines with age believed to cause signs of aging such as bone loss, dry and wrinkled skin, weakened teeth and gums and hair loss to occur.

Given the importance of silica in our diet, it is surprising that more people are not aware of it. Silica remains the missing element in many anti-aging programs. Organic silica appears to be very suitable for all body types including delicate and hypersensitive body types, and is often useful for those with compromised nervous and immune systems. Silica has been successfully used to help arthritis and psoriasis. Users frequently report improvement with ailments such as skin irritation, burns, sunburn, herpes and degenerative diseases affecting the joints. Silica has been shown to help prevent and help rectify osteoporosis and is useful in strengthening the musculoskeletal system, help prevent injuries and help speed the healing of fractures. It does this by helping the body’s structural matrix for forming and repairing connective tissue. It also contributes to the buildup of minerals on this matrix during development. Silica is present in osteoblasts (bone forming cells) responsible for the deposition of calcium phosphate on the protein matrix of bone. It stimulates chondroblasts or cartilage-forming cells to deposit proteins and other structural materials on the matrix. Finally, it helps in the building process of fiber-forming cells important to the creation of collagen.

SILICA 
As a mineral, silica is the second most common constituent on earth (27.8% in weight), oxygen being the first (46.6% in weight). Silica may be amorphous or crystallized in rocks such as granite and rock quartz, as well as in clays, sand grains, soil and in water. Silica is a component of living tissue. In the human body it is found in the tissues, cartilage and vascular walls, and in the thymus gland, the adrenals, liver, pancreas and spleen.

ORGANIC SILICA IS AMAZINGLY BIOAVAILABLE
“Organic Silica” refers to non plant based silica found in sand grains, mineral deposits, soil and in various freshwater resources. It is extracted and available in liquid dietary supplements. It is amazingly bio-available and high amounts are not needed. Most people think of the word organic to mean plants grown without pesticides. Remarkably, only miniscule amounts of organic silica are needed by the body to repair free radical damaged cells and DNA altered cells. Organic silica can be quickly absorbed by cells and tissue to replenish depleted silica reserves.

FOODS HIGH IN SILICA
Bananas, Beer, Raisins, Green Beans, Carrots, Brown Rice, Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Radish, Alfalfa, Romaine Lettuce, Watercress, Tomatoes, Capsicum, Oats, Brown Rice, Apples, Oranges, Grapes, Spinach, Almonds, Flaxseeds.

SILICA IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY NUTRITIONISTS
Silica supplementation is often overlooked by mainstream nutritionists and by many natural doctors due to the very poor bioavailability ( absorption ) of commonly available plant based silica dietary supplements such as horsetail fern and bamboo. High amounts of horsetail were found to be mildly toxic and cause a Thiamine ( Vitamin B-1 )
deficiency.

*This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for the diagnosis, cure, prevention or treatment of any disease or medical condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration