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Sl5.0
Silica Research
Mostly mechanism / observational
15 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Silica studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1997–2025 with a typical study size of 50 participants.
Based on 15 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 9 RCTs · 297 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidence
By outcome
Skin healthImproved skin elasticity in an orthosilicic-acid RCT · 20 weeks · One small ch-OSA RCT improved skin mechanical properties over 20 weeks · 12-20 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Bone healthBone benefit rests on observational and mechanistic data, not trials · 8-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Hair & nails
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Cognitive function
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 5 studies with measurable effects
People studied
297
typical study: 50 people
Strongest designs
10
1 pooled, 9 randomised
Populations Studied
Elderly1
Postmenopausal women1
Adults1
Premenopausal women and men1
Steady research
4 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2021
199720112025
1Systematic Reviewn=10 · very small study2024
Future research should measure multiple trace mineral levels in all water sources to evaluate the impact on cognitive function.
Wasick A et al. · International journal of environmental research and public health (2024)
The prevalence of dementia increases with nearly 10 million new cases each year, with Alzheimer's disease contributing to 60-70% of cases.
Aluminum exposure showed an increased risk of cognitive decline in four studies, with no association reported in the other studies.
Higher silica and pH levels were shown to be protective against a decline in cognitive function.
According to reported studies, among the different chemical forms available, the orthosilicic acid (OSA) presents the higher bioavailability, whereas the others forms have absorption inversely proportional to the degree of polymerization.
Araújo LA et al. · Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia (2016)
On the skin, it is suggested that silicon is important for optimal collagen synthesis and activation of hydroxylating enzymes, improving skin strength and elasticity.
It was suggested that a higher silicon content in the hair results in a lower rate of hair loss and increased brightness.
Silicon supplements are widely used, though there is wide variation in silicon bioavailability, ranging from values below 1% up to values close to 50%, depending on the chemical form.
Our data demonstrate that compared with placebo, collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training further improved body composition by increasing FFM, muscle strength and the loss in FM.
Zdzieblik D et al. · The British journal of nutrition (2015)
Isokinetic quadriceps strength (IQS) of the right leg was determined and sensory motor control (SMC) was investigated by a standardised one-leg stabilisation test.
Following the training programme, all the subjects showed significantly higher (P<0·01) levels for FFM, BM, IQS and SMC with significantly lower (P<0·01) levels for FM.
Our data demonstrate that compared with placebo, collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training further improved body composition by increasing FFM, muscle strength and the loss in FM.
Oral intake of ch-OSA during the 20 weeks results in a significant positive effect on skin surface and skin mechanical properties, and on brittleness of hair and nails.
Barel A et al. · Archives of Dermatological Research (2005)
Oral intake of ch-OSA during the 20 weeks results in a significant positive effect on skin surface and skin mechanical properties, and on brittleness of hair and nails.
VAS scores for nail and hair brittleness were significantly lower after 20 weeks in the ch-OSA group compared to baseline scores.
The serum Si concentration was significantly higher after a 20-week supplementation in subjects with ch-OSA compared to the placebo group.