Silica
Silicon
Silicate
Silicic Acid
Orthosilicic Acid
Silicon Dioxide
Volcanic Ash
Diatomaceous Earth
Clay
Zeolite
Bentonite
Nesosilicate
Montmorillonite
Zwitterion Polarity
Orthosilicate Anions
Silicate Ions
Monosilicic Acid
Quartz Powder
Bioavailability
Choline
Pantothenic Acid
Keratin
Collagen
Elastin
Melanin
Fibroblasts
Silica is vital for collagen, bone formation, and tissue integrity.
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Silicon dioxide (silica) in gardening soil acts as a beneficial supplement, not essential, that strengthens plant cell walls for better pest/disease resistance, heat/drought tolerance, and nutrient uptake.
Monosilicic Acid (Salicylic Acid): The best, immediately absorbable form.
Silicates (Calcium, Potassium): Common liquid supplements, easily taken up.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE): A powdery form (amorphous silica).
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Silicon Dioxide
Amorphous
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a soft, sedimentary rock made primarily of amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2), derived from the fossilized remains of diatoms (algae).
Origin: Formed from the silica shells (frustules) of ancient diatoms that settle at the bottom of water bodies and fossilize into soft rock.Main Component: High silica content (around 80-90% silicon dioxide).
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Amorphous silicon dioxide (a-SiO₂) has a random atomic structure, making it softer and non-crystalline, generally considered safe, while crystalline silica (c-SiO₂) has a fixed, repeating crystal lattice (like quartz or sand), creating sharp, hard particles that pose serious health risks like silicosis when inhaled as fine dust.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicic_acid
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthosilicic_acid
Silicon in prevention of atherosclerosis and other age-related diseases
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10940546/
Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3546016/
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Orthosilicic Acid
(OSA) Formula:
(Si(OH)4)
Bioavailability: The most biologically available form of silicon, readily absorbed and used by the body.
Biological Importance: Supports collagen synthesis, bone mineralization, skin elasticity, and hair/nail strength.
Forms in Nature: Found in low concentrations in water, essential for plants (especially grasses).
In Supplements: Often stabilized (with choline or vanillin) to prevent polymerization and maintain its absorbable monomeric state.
Orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)4) is the primary bioavailable form of silicon absorbed by the human body, consisting of silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. It plays a critical role in the synthesis and stabilization of collagen and hyaluronic acid within connective tissues.
Silicon/Silica: Acts as the central structural "glue" that creates bonds between protein molecules and strengthens the collagen matrix.
Silicon is vital for bone and connective tissue, and OSA is a highly bioavailable source, enhancing calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium utilization.
stabilized forms of orthosilicic acid can interact with the intestinal epithelium, potentially supporting gut barrier integrity.
Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) is a highly bioavailable form of silicon that plays a crucial role in skin, hair, and nail health by stimulating fibroblasts to produce structural proteins, including collagen and elastin, while supporting keratin production.
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Silica is found in nature as the mineral quartz and its polymorphs.
In most silicate minerals, silicon is tetrahedral, being surrounded by four oxides.
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How Orthosilicic Acid Affects Melanin
Orthosilicic acid (OSA), a bioavailable form of silicon, shows a dual effect on melanin, promoting its synthesis by increasing key enzyme (tyrosinase, MITF) expression in melanocytes, potentially for treating melanin deficiency.
Stimulates Production: Studies show OSA increases melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin.
Regulates Gene Expression: It boosts the expression of Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor (MITF) and Tyrosinase-Related Protein 1 (TRP-1), key regulators of melanin production.
Potential Therapeutic Agent: This suggests OSA could be used to combat conditions related to melanin deficiency by stimulating melanocytes.
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How Orthosilicic Acid Works
Orthosilicic acid demonstrates significant antifungal properties.
Direct Fungal Interference: Stabilized OSA can directly harm fungal cells, causing changes to their mycelium (filamentous structures) and spores, leading to inhibition.
Plant Defense Activation: It activates the plant's natural defense responses, creating a stronger barrier against fungal invasion.
Structural Reinforcement: When absorbed by plants, OSA gets deposited as silica, strengthening cell walls and making them physically harder for fungi to penetrate.
Induced Resistance: Foliar application (spraying) of OSA increases plant resistance to various fungal pathogens, including those causing powdery mildew, rice blast, and soybean rust, even at lower concentrations.
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Stabilization, often utilizing choline and carnitine salts of carboxylic acids (such as tartaric, acetic, or citric acid), maintains the silicon in a monomeric, highly bioavailable state.
Chemical Properties: The stabilized solutions often function at low pH (acidic conditions), which keeps the silicon in a non-polymerized, active form.
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Improved Mineral Utilization: There are strong indications that dietary orthosilicic acid improves the utilization of essential micronutrients, including copper.
Orthosilicic acid (OSA), acts as a modulator of copper, influencing its distribution, retention, and, in some cases, alleviating toxicity associated with excessive copper levels.
Silicon is known to assist plants in managing copper stress (both deficiency and excess).
Synergy: In formulations, betaine or choline (which makes betaine) can act as co-osmolytes alongside OSA, enhancing overall cellular protection and hydration, particularly in the skin and connective tissues.
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Silicon is naturally concentrated in the trachea and lungs, where it is thought to play a role in maintaining the structural integrity of connective tissues.
Sialic acid is a cancer vulnerability, and silicon's unique properties (especially in nanomaterials) offer a platform to exploit that vulnerability for synergistic therapeutic effects.
Thiol-modified nanoporous silica (a form of engineered silicon) has shown potential as an oral, non-toxic agent to remove mercury, cadmium, and lead.
Unlike some heavy metal chelators that remove essential nutrients, silicon-rich water specifically increases aluminum excretion without affecting the levels of essential metals like iron and copper.
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Inorganic Fiber (Prebiotic)
Orthosilicic Acid (Silicon)
Butyric Acid (SCFA)
Methyl Doner
CH3 Carbon/Hydrogen
Glucose (Carbon)
Carboxylic Acid (Hydrogen)
Dietary Fiber Connection: Silicon is abundant in high-fiber foods, suggesting fiber's anti-atherosclerotic effects might stem from its silicon content.
Enamel Remineralization: Research into bioactive materials suggests that silica-based compounds, which can release orthosilicic acid during degradation, can assist in remineralizing tooth enamel.
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Tetrahedron Block Helix Model Theory
Tetrahedron Block Helix Model Theory Silicon Orthosilicic Acid & Collagen Matrix
Tetrahedral Geometry: The collagen triple helix is related to the silica tetrahedron-block-helix model, linking it to the geometric principles of the golden ratio (108° and 36° angles) in structural biology.
Silica tetrahedron, like the general concept of tetrahedral structures, is considered part of the overarching geometric principles that govern helix building in biochemistry and higher organisms.
tetrahedral geometry, the collagen triple helix, the silica tetrahedron, and the golden ratio (108° and 36° angles) in structural biology is a subject of a specific, non-peer-reviewed "tetrahedron-block-helix model" theory. This model suggests that the geometry of the collagen triple helix, as well as other biomolecular helices like B-DNA and the alpha helix, is fundamentally structured around the golden ratio angles.
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Creating stable OSA often involves reacting a silicate source with acid (like sulfuric acid) under specific conditions (low pH) to prevent it from polymerizing (forming larger chains).
Stabilizers, such as sorbitol, are often used to keep it in its monomeric (monoatomic) form, especially in hydroponics, for longer shelf life.
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The heart consists of specialized fibrous, muscular, and membranous structures, including the fibrous skeleton, chordae tendineae, pericardium, and myocardium. Silicon (Si), particularly in the form of orthosilicic acid (H4SiO4), plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of these connective tissues.
Heart and Vascular Impact: High concentrations of silicon are found in connective tissues, including the aorta and arterial walls. It contributes to the strength and flexibility of vascular walls and supports the health of tendons and connective tissues.
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Bone Regeneration: Silica-based biomaterials and nanoparticles promote osteogenic differentiation (bone formation) in bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), helping repair bone defects.
Stimulates Osteoblasts: Bioactive silica stimulates bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and can improve bone mineral density, with soluble forms of silica aiding mineralization.
Scaffolds: Silica is incorporated into scaffolds to improve bone regeneration by guiding stem cells to form new bone tissue, working with growth factors like BMP2.
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Silicon in Kelp & Seaweed
Structural Silica: Seaweeds like kelp accumulate silicon as hard, insoluble silica (silicon dioxide) in their cell walls, which provides structural support.
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Interaction with Gram-Positive Bacteria
Antibacterial/Staining Effects: Silicate solutions can cause Gram-positive bacteria (such as streptococci) to lose their Gram-positive status (becoming Gram-negative) and can kill them, although this effect is often reversed by washing, suggesting a surface interaction rather than structural destruction.
Biosilicification: Certain Gram-positive bacteria, particularly within the genus Bacillus (e.g., B. cereus), are capable of taking up orthosilicic acid during their early stationary phase to form intracellular silica.
Interaction with Gram-Negative Bacteria
Lower Sensitivity: Generally, Gram-negative bacteria are less affected by soluble silica compared to Gram-positive species in terms of viability and staining.
Surface Interaction: Studies indicate that silica nanoparticles can increase the negative charge on the surface of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, facilitating adhesion.
Key Findings on Silica and Bacteria
Solubilization: Specific "silica-solubilizing bacteria" (SSB) can convert insoluble silicon dioxide into bioavailable orthosilicic acid.
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Bonding and Mineralization: Orthosilicic acid is known to bind to biological macromolecules like proteins in human, animal, and plant tissues. This ability is key to its role in structuring connective tissues and forming structural barriers against pathogens.
Mechanism of Action:
The protective effects are generally attributed to the formation of physical barriers (silica in the apoplast), stimulation of defense-related genes, and acting as a signaling molecule to increase antioxidant enzymes and antifungal compounds.
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Otoconia are essential inner ear microcrystals composed of calcite (calcium carbonate) and proteins like otolin, crucial for sensing gravity and balance. Recent research indicates that specialized proteins, potentially similar to silicateins, are involved in forming these structures and may interact with orthosilicic acid (a form of silicon) to facilitate calcite precipitation.
Orthosilicic Acid & Silicon: Research suggests a role for silicatein-like proteins in the formation of biogenic minerals like otoconia, potentially aiding in the stabilization or precipitation of calcite, where orthosilicic acid may act as a precursor.