Orthosilicic Acid

See also : Silica
Orthosilicic acid is a substance found naturally in seawater, drinking water, and certain beverages (including beer). Sometimes referred to as "soluble silica," orthosilicic acid is a dietary form of silicon (a mineral involved in the formation of collagen and bone). Available in supplement form, orthosilicic acid is said to offer a number of health benefits.

The benefits of Orthosilicic Acid are

Uses for Orthosilicic Acid

Proponents claim that orthosilicic acid supplements can treat or prevent a wide range of health conditions, including:

• Alzheimer's disease
• arthritis
• atherosclerosis
• heart disease
• high cholesterol
• osteoporosis
• stroke
• In addition, orthosilicic acid is said to improve hair and nails, protect skin from the negative effects of aging, preserve dental health, and stimulate digestion.

To date, very few studies have tested the health effects of orthosilicic acid. However, preliminary research shows that orthosilicic acid may offer certain health benefits. Here's a look at some key study findings:

1)Orthosilicic Acid and Bone Health : Orthosilicic acid may help protect against loss of bone density, suggests a 2008 study from BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. For the study, 136 women with osteopenia took calcium, vitamin D, and either orthosilicic acid or a placebo every day for a year. By the study's end, participants given the vitamins with orthosilicic acid showed greater improvements in bone formation. According to the study's authors, this finding indicates that orthosilicic acid shows promise as a treatment for osteoporosis.

In earlier studies on human cells, scientists discovered that orthosilicic acid may help promote bone formation by stimulating the production of collagen (a protein found in connective tissue, including bone) and promoting the development of bone-forming cells.

2) Orthosilicic Acid and Joint Health : Orthosilicic acid is purported to improve joint health — and protect against conditions like osteoarthritis — by promoting collagen production in cartilage. Indeed, a 1997 study published in Biological Trace Element Research found that calves fed an orthosilicic-acid-supplemented diet experienced an increase in collagen concentration in their cartilage. However, it's not known whether orthosilicic acid supplementation might produce the same effect in humans and help shield joint health.

3) Orthosilicic Acid and Hair : Orthosilicic acid may help improve hair, according to a small study published in Archives of Dermatological Research in 2007. For the study, 48 women with fine hair took either an orthosilicic acid supplement or a placebo every day for nine months. Results showed that orthosilicic acid appeared to boost hair strength and increase hair thickness, however, there haven't been any other studies examining the use of orthosilicic acid for hair.