Silicon is a chemical element from the main subgroup of the 4th group in the third period of the Mendeleev system. Its atomic number is 14. Silicon is non-metal and is designated Si (Silicium). The element is used in various areas of life. Since ancient times, the healing properties of silicon are known. The benefits to the body that this element brings are truly invaluable. Next, we will analyze in more detail what Silicium is, why it is needed and how much it is necessary to receive it per day.
General information
In the treatment of certain pathologies, various substances and agents are used. Silicon is no exception. The benefits to the body of this element have been evaluated in antiquity. It was applied to wounds, and the water infused with silica was used in cooking. It is used in veterinary medicine to fertilize plants, for cosmetic purposes. In modern products, the silicon content is low, and sometimes it is completely absent. The element is not usually found in canned, processed, refined food. Like selenium, silicon interacts poorly with carbohydrates. This means that it is not absorbed with soda, sugar and other products. Acceptance of the element is impeded by reduced acidity in the stomach and lack of exercise (low mobility).
The role of silicon in the human body
In periods of youth, childhood and embryonic development, this element prevails in the bones. In this regard, they are flexible and flexible. The development of limbs in the fetus begins with the periphery. So, first the hand is formed, then the forearm and shoulder. By the same principle, the lower extremities develop. This is because silicon is present in the bones. Why does the body need this element?
Mineralization, fragility, hardening of bones develop in the second half of life. Accordingly, the silicon content is reduced. Hence, the older the person, the greater the likelihood of fractures. Moreover, during bone injuries, the body increases the silicon content by 50 times in comparison with the usual state. As soon as the fracture heals, the level of the element returns to normal again. Fragility of bones develops in the opposite direction - from the center to the periphery. First, it occurs in the shoulder, then in the elbow, then in the hand. On the lower extremities, the process begins in the hip bone. Then he goes to the shin and foot. As a rule, spontaneous fractures are noted in the hip bones. This is due to the high content of fluoride and calcium, the development of osteoporosis. Over the course of human life, a lack of silicon in the body occurs. The element is washed out of the bones, but does not enter further. Its place is taken by calcium. Silicon deficiency in the body leads to brittleness and stiffness of bones.
Consumption rate
The vital importance of silicon in the human body was officially recognized in Russia only in the seventies of the last century. Nevertheless, to date, the daily dose of element consumption has not been precisely established. There are various recommendations. The minimum dose is 5 mg. But the maximum, according to various sources, ranges from 20 to 100 mg / day. For children and people aged, the dosage can be set within 40 or more mg / day. This is due to the fact that over the years, the digestibility of the element deteriorates, and in childhood there is an active formation of tissues, systems, organs, bones and the skeleton, which, in turn, requires additional silicon.
Impact on systems
Silicon is especially important for the human body during pregnancy and lactation. It is the building material of flexible structures. A healthy adult body contains on average about 7 mg of Si. It is distributed across all systems: adrenal glands, muscles, nails, thymus, hair, blood, skin, and so on. The role of silicon in the human body primarily consists in the formation of connective tissue, which consists of joints, tendons, cartilage, mucous membranes, arteries and veins. With a reduced concentration of silicon, the nail plates begin to flake and break. In the absence of this element in the consumed products, the condition of the skin and hair worsens.
Other Si functions
Any connective tissue has a certain degree of elasticity and strength. Their necessary level just provides silicon. He also takes part in the development of tissue repair ability. In this case, the role of silicon in the body is the bonding of collagen and elastin fibers. In addition, the element has the functions of a powerful antioxidant. Due to this, it provides prevention of wrinkle formation, increases the resistance of nails and hair to the negative effects of free radicals. It has been established that the biological age of people can be characterized by the rate of metabolic processes. Without exaggeration, the effect of silicon on the human body can be called unique. An item can pause any age-related changes. However, this is possible with the normal intake of a substance in the body.
Problems with reduced Si
With a silicon concentration of 1.2%, the risk of a heart attack or stroke increases. With an element content of 1.4% or less, diabetes develops. The spread of hepatitis virus is observed at a silicon level of 1.6%. If the element is contained in a proportion of 1.3%, then cancer sets in. With a decrease in the volume of silicon in the connective tissue, vascular damage occurs, atherosclerosis, bone strength is disturbed. Its reduced content leads to a deterioration in the digestibility of cobalt, iron, calcium, fluorine, manganese and other compounds. As a result, the metabolism is disturbed. With an insufficient amount of silicon in the body, the immune system also suffers. The reduced content of the element contributes to the development of protracted pathologies such as tonsillitis, abscess, furunculosis, other purulent processes, cancer, allergic reactions, asthma and so on.
Scientists have proved that many vascular pathologies appear due to deviations in the concentration of certain substances. A special place in this matter is silicon. For the human body, leaching of the element is extremely dangerous. As mentioned above, in its place begins to accumulate calcium, designed to form solid structures. In this regard, the vascular walls gradually begin to lose their elasticity, become more permeable. Cholesterol penetrates through them. Similarly, the development of venous pathologies occurs. Silicon is also needed to maintain the elasticity of their walls. For the human body, its reduced concentration is fraught with the development of thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, vasculitis and other pathologies. The element provides protection and small blood channels - capillaries. Silicon contributes to the normalization of the pulmonary circulation, to ensure the normal nutrition of tissues, even in the event of extensive cellulite damage.
The element is involved in stimulating beta receptors located on the surfaces of fat cells. This, in turn, helps to remove fat from them. In practice, cases have been reported when, with acne, the use of prolonged therapy with different drugs did not give an effect. The cure came a few weeks after silicon was used. For the human body, one of the most important tasks is the neutralization of toxins that come from the intestines. This requires colloids. They are formed only if silicon is contained in the required amount.
Organic compounds of the element have the ability to form bioelectric charged systems. They adhere to pathogenic bacteria (for example, pathogens of influenza, hepatitis, herpes, fungi and others) and neutralize them. The researchers proved that with insufficient intake of silicon from water and products, dysbiosis often occurs. It can be complicated by an ulcerative lesion in the oral mucosa (stomatitis), nasal cavity, and candidiasis of the genitourinary system and intestines. It should be noted that silicon colloids tend to connect only with the pathogenic flora. Normal microorganisms (non-pathogenic) remain intact. In particular, they include lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
This is the lack of silicon in the body. Symptoms, as can be seen from the above description, are signs of quite serious pathologies.
Si in food
The main source of silicon for the body is plant foods. The element is found in beer, wine, juice (grape). In especially high concentrations, silicon is found in the husks of rice, millet, and oats, but wheat is not so rich in them. Relatively in large quantities, the element is present in cereals. Insignificant can be considered its concentration in legumes. In the process of grinding grain and making semolina, as well as premium flour, thoroughly clean the grains from the shell, in which silicon is present in large quantities. The element is found in the peel of different fruits. But in peeled fruits and vegetables it is not so much. There may be some difficulty. The fact is that in the peel of some fruits, nitrates and other harmful compounds are often accumulated, which are used in the process of growing and subsequent storage of the crop. In this regard, it is necessary to very carefully approach the issue of choosing fruits and vegetables.
If we talk about how to replenish silicon in the body, then it should be said about fairly common products, the regular use of which will beneficially increase the reserves of the element. These include, in particular:
- Bread (black).
- Barley.
- Bran.
- Jacket potatoes.
- Sunflower seeds.
- Greens (dill, parsley and others).
- Bulgarian pepper.
- Beetroot.
- Celery.
- Radish, radish, turnip.
- Bow.
- Rhubarb.
- Tomatoes
Silicon is present in some mineral waters. The element is also found in algae, marine plants.
Si assimilation
To increase digestibility, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium are needed. Meat food interferes with the absorption of silicon. Although this element is abundant in marine animals, they are not a good supplier of Si. This is due to the presence of animal proteins that impede absorption. Increases the absorption of silicon plant food present in vegetables and fruits fiber. To make up for the lack of an element, you can prepare special water. In addition, it is useful to take infusions and decoctions of herbs containing a large amount of silicon.
Si-rich plants
First of all, it is necessary to say that the representatives of the flora containing silicon grow on soils with silica. Plants absorb the necessary element, process it. The result is a compound that is available for assimilation by the human body. Such plants, in particular, include:
- Nettles. This herb has excellent wound healing properties. Nettle infusions have long been used to strengthen nails. For this, special baths were made. Nettle rinse hair after washing.
- Horsetail. This plant can also increase the silicon content in the body. Horsetail is used for cosmetic purposes, for joint pathologies, liver and kidney diseases. With its help, caries prevention is carried out.
- Fern. Among other things, it contains tannins. They also help strengthen nails, hair, heal wounds and ulcers, eliminate hemorrhoids, etc.
There are also plants that concentrate silicon compounds selectively. These include, for example, spruce, larch, bamboo, ginseng, bird highlander, shepherd’s bag, yarrow, burdock, raspberries, oats and others. Such plants are also called silicophiles. In addition to them, honey, bran, mummy, wheat germ will help to restore the concentration of the substance.
Si for water treatment
Silicon is able to structure H 2 O molecules. They subsequently acquire the property of expelling pathogens, fungi, protozoa, foreign chemical compounds, and toxins from the formed liquid crystal lattices. They, in turn, precipitate. Silicon water has a special freshness and taste. It has bactericidal properties. Many indicators make it very close in composition to intercellular fluid in the human body.
Home-made water
It is necessary to purchase or assemble silicon pebbles. Better to choose small ones. So the contact surface of silicon with water will be larger. Stones are placed in a vessel. For one package (50 g) three liters of water are needed. Stones are poured and left for 3-4 days in a shaded place at room temperature. To obtain water with pronounced healing properties, it is necessary to insist a little longer - 7 days. Ready liquid is poured into another container, but not all. The remainder in the lower layer 3-4 cm thick is not suitable for use. It is drained, and the stones are cleaned with a soft brush. It is necessary to eliminate mucus and deposits. After the process can be repeated. Black silicon is not required to be replaced. Water retains its properties for at least a year and a half. It can be drunk in unlimited quantities. Silicon water is considered an excellent prophylactic against atherosclerosis, urolithiasis and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, skin diseases, infections, oncology, varicose veins.
High Si
How can an excess of silicon appear in the body? You can talk about such a problem if the intake of an element daily exceeds 500 mg. This may be due to professional activities involving contact with cement, glass, asbestos, quartz, aerosols, and mining. The reason for the excessive content of the element may be a violation in the regulation of its metabolism or its excessive intake with food. Excess silicon in the body in the early stages does not have any specific manifestations. As a rule, weakness, decreased performance, irritability are noted. When inhaling dust enriched with silicon, shortness of breath with slight physical exertion, a frequent cough, may appear. A high concentration of an element in the blood can cause the development of pathologies such as:
- Silicosis. This disease, in turn, contributes to the appearance of tuberculosis, emphysema, bronchitis.
- Malignant neoplasms in the pleura and abdominal cavity.
- Calcium phosphorus metabolism disorder.
- Urolithiasis disease.
Products containing Si
To remove toxins from the body, the drug "Naiche Lax" is used. The tool helps to normalize the microflora in the intestine, activate its motility, increase the production of bile and juices. The drug is used as an anti-inflammatory drug.
Loklo is a source of dietary fiber. This medication provides bowel protection. Loklo is recommended for patients to prevent the development of cancer pathologies. The drug lowers the concentration of cholesterol and sugar in the blood, and also helps to cleanse the intestines, improve its work, strengthen immunity.
Take medication is strictly in accordance with the scheme. To avoid irreversible effects, the dose should be strictly observed. Drink the preparations with water in a small amount. If you accidentally skip a dose, the next time you should not increase the dose.
Interaction with other substances
Aluminum acts as a silicon antagonist. With increasing content of the first, the Si concentration, respectively, decreases. Silicon interacts with vitamins E, A, C, enhancing their antioxidant properties.