Silicon

About Silicon

Silicon is a chemical element with atomic number 14 and the second most abundant element in the crust of the Earth after oxygen, occurring mainly as silica and silicates. In the human body it is found in connective tissues such as bone, cartilage, tendons, skin, and the aorta. Animal studies in the early 1970s, notably by Edith Carlisle, reported that silicon deficiency impaired bone and cartilage formation, suggesting a role in collagen synthesis and mineralization, although essentiality in humans has not been established and no recommended intake exists. In food and water silicon occurs mostly as readily absorbed orthosilicic acid. Beer is a notable source, from barley husks and hops, and whole grains, oats, bananas, green beans, and some mineral waters also contribute. Analyses of the Framingham Offspring cohort linked higher silicon intake with greater hip bone density in men and premenopausal women. Supplements are marketed for hair, skin, and nails with limited evidence. Inhaling crystalline silica dust causes silicosis, a serious occupational lung disease.