Abstract
Silicon is the second most abundant element in nature behind oxygen. As a metalloid, silicon has been used in many industrial applications including use as an additive in the food and beverage industry. As a result, humans come into contact with silicon through both environmental exposures but also as a dietary component. Moreover, many forms of silicon, that is, Si bound to oxygen, are water-soluble, absorbable, and potentially bioavailable to humans presumably with biological activity. However, the specific biochemical or physiological functions of silicon, if any, are largely unknown although generally thought to exist. As a result, there is growing interest in the potential therapeutic effects of water-soluble silica on human health. For example, silicon has been suggested to exhibit roles in the structural integrity of nails, hair, and skin, overall collagen synthesis, bone mineralization, and bone health and reduced metal accumulation in Alzheimer’s disease, immune system health, and reduction of the risk for atherosclerosis. Although emerging research is promising, much additional, corroborative research is needed particularly regarding speciation of health-promoting forms of silicon and its relative bioavailability. Orthosilicic acid is the major form of bioavailable silicon whereas thin fibrous crystalline asbestos is a health hazard promoting asbestosis and significant impairment of lung function and increased cancer risk. It has been proposed that relatively insoluble forms of silica can also release small but meaningful quantities of silicon into biological compartments. For example, colloidal silicic acid, silica gel, and zeolites, although relatively insoluble in water, can increase concentrations of water-soluble silica and are thought to rely on specific structural physicochemical characteristics. Collectively, the food supply contributes enough silicon in the forms aforementioned that could be absorbed and significantly improve overall human health despite the negative perception of silica as a health hazard. This review discusses the possible biological potential of the metalloid silicon as bioavailable orthosilicic acid and the potential beneficial effects on human health.
Please cite as: Met. Ions Life Sci. 13 (2013) 451–473
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
L. Jurkic, I. Cepanec, S. Pavelic, K. Pavelic, Nutr. Metab. 2013, 10, 2, DOI: 10.1186/1743-7075-10-2.
C. Exley, J. Inorganic. Biochem. 1998, 69, 123–139.
S. Sjoberg, J. Non-Crystalline Solids 1996, 196, 51–57.
C. Perry, Prog. Mol. Subcell. Biol. 2009, 47, 295–313.
K. Martin, J. Nutr. Health Aging 2007, 11, 94–97.
R. Jugdaohsingh, J. Nutr. Health Aging 2007, 11, 99–110.
A. Elmore, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel, Int. J. Toxicol. 2003, 22, 37–102.
R. Merget, T. Bauer, H. Kupper, S. Philippou, H. Bauer, R. Breitstadt, T. Bruening, Arch. Toxicol. 2002, 75, 625–634.
U. Saffiotti, L. Daniel, Y. Mao, X. Shi, A. Williams, M. Kaighn, Environ. Health Perspect. 1994, 102, 159–163.
R. K. Iler, The Chemistry of Silica: Solubility, Polymerization, Colloid and Surface Properties and Biochemistry of Silica, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1979, pp. 866.
J. J. Powell, S. A. McNaughton, R. Jugdaohsingh, S. H. C. Anderson, J. Dear, F. Khot, L. Mowatt, K. L. Gleason, M. Sykes, R. P. H. Thompson, C. Bolton-Smith, M. J. Hodson, Br. J. Nutr. 2005, 94, 804–812.
S. McNaughton, C. Bolton-Smith, G. Mirshra, R. Jugdaohsingh, J. Powell, Br. J. Nutr. 2005, 94, 813–817.
L. Burns, M. Ashwell, J. Berry, C. Bolton-Smith, A. Cassidy, M. Dunnigan, K.T. Khaw, H. Macdonald, S. New, A. Prentice, J. Powell, J. Reeve, S. Robins, B. Teucher, Br. J. Nutr. 2003, 89, 835–840.
J. Bellia, J. Birchall, N. Roberts, Lancet 1994, 343, 235.
R. Jugdaohsingh, K.L. Tucker, N. Qiao, L. A. Cupples, D. P. Kiel, J. J. Powell, J. Bone Mineral Res. 2004, 19, 297–307.
S. Sripanyakorn, R. Jugdaohsingh, H. Elliott, C. Walker, P. Mehta, S. Shoukru, R. Thompson, J. Powell, Br. J. Nutr. 2004, 91, 403–409.
P. R. Barnett, M. Skougstad, K. Miller, J. Am. Water Works Assoc. 1969, 61, 61–68.
J. Pennington, Food Addit. Contam. 1991, 8, 97–118.
A. Mancinella, Clin. Ter. 1991, 137, 343–350.
R. Jugdaohsingh, S. H. Anderson, K. L. Tucker, H. Elliott, D. P. Kiel, R. P. Thompson, J. J. Powell, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2002, 75, 887–893.
F. Chen, P. Cole, L. Wen, Comm. Int. Nutr. 1994, 124, 196–201.
A. Anasuya, S. Bapurao, P. Paranjape, J. Trace Elements Med. Biol. 1996, 10, 149–155.
J. Dobbie, M. Smith, Scottish Med. J. 1982, 27, 10–16.
J. Birchall, Ciba Found Symp. 1992, 169, 50–61.
G. Taylor, A. Newens, J. Edwardson, D. Kay, D. Forster, J. Epidemiol. Comm. Health 1995, 49, 323–328.
S. Gillette-Guyonnet, S. Andrieu, F. Nourhashemi, V. de La Gueronniere, H. Grandjean, B. Vellas, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2005, 81, 897–902.
R. Villota, J. Hawkes, Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 1986, 23, 289–321.
K. Van Dyck, R. Van Cauwenbergh, H. Robberecht, H. Deelstra, Fresenius J. Analytical Chem. 1999, 363, 541–544.
A. Barel, M. Calomme, A. Timchenko, K. De Paepe, N. Demeester, V. Rogiers, P. Clarys, D. Vanden Berghe, Arch. Dermatol. Res. 2005, 297, 147–153.
F. Nielsen, Gastroenterol. 2009, 137, S55–S60.
European Food Safety Authority, The EFSA Journal 2004, 60, 1–11.
Reports of the Scientific Committee for Food, 31st series, Nutrient and Energy Intakes for the European Community, Commission of the European Communities, Luxembourg, 1993.
Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, Arsenic, Boron, Nickel, Silicon and Vanadium, In: Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc, Washington National Academy Press 2000, Chapter 13, 502–553.
P. Varo, P. Koivistoinen, Acta Agric. Scand. 1980, 22, 165–171.
H. Bowen, A. Peggs, J. Sci. Food Agric. 1984, 35, 1225–1229.
C. Willhite, G. Ball, C. McLellan, Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 2012, 42, 358–442.
C. Perry, T. Keeling-Tucker, J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 2000, 5, 537–550.
J. Popplewell, S. King, J. Day, P. Ackrill, L. Fifield, R. Cresswell, M. di Tada, K. Liu, J. Inorg. Biochem. 1998 69, 177–180.
R. Jugdaohsingh, D. M. Reffitt, C. Oldham, J. P. Day, L. K. Fifield, R. P. Thompson, J. J. Powell, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2000, 71, 944–949.
P. Treguer, D. Nelson, A. Van Bennekom, D. DeMaster, A. Leynaert, B. Queguiner, Science 1995, 268, 375–379.
European Food Safety Authority, The EFSA Journal 2009, 948, 1–23.
G. Berlyne, A. Adler, N. Ferran, S. Bennett, J. Holt, Nephron 1986, 43, 5–9.
D.M. Reffitt, R. Jugdaohsingh, R.P. Thompson, J.J. Powell, J. Inorg. Biochem. 1999, 76, 141–147.
B. L. Smith, Trace Elements in Man and Animals, Vol. 8, Eds M. Anke, D. Meissner, C. F. Mills, Kluwer, New York, 1993, 1091–1093.
J. Austin, Nobel Symp. 1997, 255–268.
S. Fregert, J. Invest. Dermatol. 1958, 31, 95–96.
J. Eisinger, D. Clairet, Magnesium Res. 1993, 6, 247–249.
A. Lassus, J. Int. Med. Res. 1993, 21, 209–215.
K. Schwarz, Lancet 1977, 1, 454–457.
J. Candy, J. Edwardson, J. Klinowski, A. Oakley, E. Perry, R. Peny, Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type, Eds J. Traber, W. H. Gispen, Springer, Heidelberg, 1985,183–197.
M. Gonzalez-Munoz, I. Meseguer, M. Sanchez-Reus, A. Schultz, Food Chem. Toxicol. 2008, 46, 1111–1118.
E. Bisse, T. Epting, A. Bell, G. Lindinger, H. Lang, H. Wieland, Anal. Biochem. 2005, 337, 130–135.
R. Jugdaohsingh, S. Sripanyakorn, J. Powell, Br. J. Nutr. 2013, 25, 1–7.
M. Rondanelli, A. Opizzi, S. Perna, M. Faliva, Endocrinol. Nutr. 2013, 60, 197–210.
C. Price, J. Langford, F. Liporace, Open Orthop. J. 2012, 6, 143–149.
L. Russell, Rheum. Dis. Clin. North Am. 2010, 36, 665–680.
R. Marcus, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1996, 81, 1–5.
K. Schwarz, D. Milne, Nature 1972, 239, 333–334.
E. Carlisle, Science 1972, 178, 619–621.
E. Carlisle, J. Nutr. 1976, 106, 478–484.
E. Carlisle, J. Nutr. 1980, 110, 352–359.
E. Carlisle, J. Nutr. 1980, 110, 1046–1056.
A. Moukarzel, M. Song, A. Buchman, M. Ament, J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 1992, 11, 584.
A. Schiano, F. Eisinger, P. Detolle, A. Laponche, B. Brisou, J. Eisinger, Rev. Rhum. Mal. Osteoastic. 1979, 46, 483–486.
T. Spector, M. Calomme, S. Anderson, R. Swaminathan, R. Jugdaohsingh, C. Van Hoorebeke, J. Powell, J. Bone Mineral Res. 2005, 20, S172.
F. Maehira, I. Miyagi, Y. Eguchi, Nutrition 2009, 25, 581–589.
P. Sambrook, C. Cooper, Lancet 1997, 367, 2010–2018.
S. Robins, S. New, Proc. Nutr. Soc. 1997, 56, 903–914.
M. Brady, P. Dobson, T. M. J. Kanis, J. Bone Mineral Res. 1991, S139.
P. Keeting, M. Oursler, K. Wiegand, S. Bonde, T. Spelsberg, B. Riggs, J. Bone Mineral Res. 1992, 7, 1281–1289.
D. M. Reffitt, N. Ogston, R. Jugdaohsingh, H. F. J. Cheung, B. A. J. Evans, R. P. H. Thompson, J. J. Powell, G. N. Hampson, Bone 2003, 32, 127.
H. Macdonald, A. Hardcastle, R. Jugdaohsingh, W. Fraser, D. Reid, J. Powell, Bone 2012, 50, 681–687.
W. Landis, D. Lee, J. Brenna, S. Chandra, G. Morrison, Calcif. Tissue Int. 1986, 38, 52–59.
M. Calomme, P. Geusens, N. Demeester, G. Behets, P. D’Haese, J. Sindambiwe, V. Van Hoof, D. Vanden Berghe, Calcif. Tissue Int. 2006, 78, 227–232.
E. Carlisle, Science 1970, 167, 279–280.
R. Jugdaohsingh, M. Calomme, K. Robinson, F. Nielsen, S. Anderson, P. D’Haese, P. Geusens, N. Loveridge, R. Thompson, J. Powell, Bone 2008, 43, 596–606.
S. Tubek, Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2006, 114, 1–5.
K. Schwarz, B. Ricci, S. Punsar, M. Karvonen, Lancet 1977, 1, 538–539.
L. Trinca, O. Popescu, I. Palamaru, Rev. Med. Chir. Soc. Med. Natl. Iasi 1999, 103, 99–102.
J. Loeper, J. Goy-Loeper, L. Rozensztajn, M. Fragny, Atherosclerosis 1979, 33, 397–408.
F. Maehira, K. Motomura, N. Ishimine, I. Miyagi, Y. Eguchi, S. Teruya, Nutr. Res. 2011, 31, 147–156.
G. Oner, S. Cirrik, M. Bulbul, S. Yuksel, Endothelium 2006, 13, 17–23.
Y. Nakashima, A. Kuroiwa, M. Nakamura, Br. J. Exp. Pathol. 1985, 66, 123–127.
V. Bala Gupta, S. Anitha, M. Hegde, L. Zecca, R. Garruto, R. Ravid, S. Shankar, R. Stein, P. Shanmugavelu, K. Jagannatha Rao, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 2005, 62, 143–158.
K. Chopra, S. Misra, A. Kuhad, Expert Opin. Ther. Targets 2011, 15, 535–555.
M. Kawahara, M. Kato-Negishi, Int. J. Alzheimers Dis. 2011, 2011, 1–17.
D. Perl, A. Brody, Science 1980, 208, 297–309.
D. Perl, Environ. Health Perspect. 1985, 63, 149–153.
V. Rondeau, Rev. Environ. Health 2002, 17, 107–121.
V. Frisardi, V. Solfrizzi, C. Capurso, P. Kehoe, B. Imbimbo, A. Santamato, F. Dellegrazie, D. Seripa, A.C. Pilotto, A, F. Panza, J. Alzheimer’s Disease 2010, 20, 17–30.
E. Carlisle, Microbiol. Aging 1986, 7, 545–546.
J. Edwardson, P. Moore, I. Ferrier, Lancet 1993, 342, 211–212.
V. Rondeau, H. Jacqmin-Gadda, D. Commenges, C. Helmer, J. Dartigues, Am. J. Epidemiol. 2009, 169, 489–496.
C. Seaborn, F. Nielsen, Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 1994, 41, 295–304.
C. Exley, M. Schneider, F. Doucet, Coord. Chem. Rev. 2002, 228, 127–1335.
S. Davenward, P. Bentham, J. Wright, P. Crome, D. Job, A. Polwart, C. Exley, J. Alzheimer’s Dis. 2013, 33, 423–430.
B. O’Connell, Diabetes Spectrum 2001, 14, 133–148.
U. Oschilewski, U. Kiesel, H. Kolb, Diabetes 1985, 34, 197–199.
S. Kahn, B. Zinman, Diabetes Care 2007, 30, 1672–1676.
F. Maehira, N. Ishimine, I. Miyagi, Y. Eguchi, K. Shimada, Nutrition 2010, 27, 488–495.
S. Oliveira, R. Ringshia, R. Legeros, E. Clark, L. Terracio, C. Teixeira, M. Yost, J. Biomed. Materials 2009, 371–379.
J. Albina, J. Abate, B. Mastrofrancesco, J. Surg. Res. 1993, 55, 97–102.
C. Seaborn, F. Nielsen, Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2002, 89, 251–261.
T. Sporn, Recent Results Cancer Res. 2011, 189, 1–11.
F. Haddad, A. Kouyoumdjian, Urol. Int. 1986, 41, 70–76.
J. Dobbie, M. Smith, Ciba Found. Symp. 1986, 121, 194–213.
I. Yu, L. Tse, T. Wong, C. Leung, C. Tam, A. Chan, Int. J. Cancer 2005, 114, 479–483.
R. Newman, Nutr. Cancer 1986, 8, 217–221.
F. Sauer, D. Laughland, D. Davidson, Can. J. Biochem. Physiol. 1959, 37, 183–191.
B. Mossman, A. Churg, Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 1998, 157, 1666–1680.
S. Toyokuni, Nagoya J. Med. Sci. 2009, 71, 1–10.
G. Liu, P. Cheresh, D. Kamp, Ann. Rev. Pathol. 2013, 8, 161–187.
A. Shukla, M. Gulumian, T. Hei, D. Kamp, Q. Rahman, B. Mossman, Free Rad. Biol. Med. 2003, 34, 1117–1129.
D. Pelclova, Z. Fenclova, P. Kacer, M. Kuzma, T. Navratil, J. Lebedova, Industrial Health 2008, 46, 484–489.
D. Kamp, S. Weitzman, Thorax 1999, 54, 638–652.
B. Fubini, E. Giamello, M. Volante, V. Bolis, Toxicol. Ind. Health 1990, 6, 571–598.
X. Liu, Y. Xue, T. Ding, J. Sun, Part. Fibre Toxicol. 2012, 9, 36.
A. Bauer, E. Strozyk, C. Gorzelanny, C. Westerhausen, A. Desch, M. Schneider, S. Schneider, Biomaterials 2011, 32, 8385–8393.
W. Liu, J. Ernst, V. Broaddus, Am. J. Respir. Cell. Mol. Biol. 2000, 23, 371–378.
M. Corradi, P. Gergelova, A. Mutti, Curr. Opin. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 2010, 10, 93–98.
D. Pelclova, Z. Fenclova, K. Sysclova, S. Vlckova, J. Lebedova, O. Pecha, J. Belachek, T. Navratil, M. Kuzma, P. Kacer, Industrial Health 2011, 49, 746–754.
K. Syslova, P. Kacer, M. Kuzma, V. Najmanova, Z. Fenclova, S. Vickova, J. Lebedova, D. Pelclova, J. Chromatograph. Anal. Technol. Biomed. Life Sci. 2009, 877, 2477–2486.
K. Syslova, P. Kacer, M. Kuzma, A. Pankracova, Z. Fenclova, S. Vlckova, J. Lebedova, D. Pelclova, J. Breath Res. 2010, 4, 1–8.
J. McCarthy, I. Inkielewicz-Stepniak, J. Corbalan, M. Radomski, Chem. Res. Toxicol. 2012, 25, 2227–2235.
M. Desaki, H. Takizawa, T. Kasama, K. Kobayashi, Y. Morita, K. Yamamoto, Cytokine 2000, 12, 1257–1260.
G. Davis, C. Holmes, L. Pfeiffer, D. Hemenway, J. Environ. Pathol. Toxicol. Oncol. 2001, 20, 53–65.
J. Antonini, J. Roberts, H. Yang, M. Barger, D. Ramsey, V. Castranova, Lung 2000, 178, 341–350.
J. Antonini, H. Yang, J. Ma, J. Roberts, M. Barger, L. Butterworth, Inhal. Toxicol. 2000, 12, 1017–1036.
R. Kumar, Am. J. Pathol. 1989, 135, 605–614.
H. Koo, S. Ryu, H. Ahn, W. Jung, Y. Park, N. Kwon, Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 2006, 13, 1255–1266.
G. Oner, S. Cirrik, O. Bakan, Kidney Blood Press. Res. 2005, 28, 203–210.
M. Calomme, P. Cos, P. D’Haese, R. Vingerhoets, L. Lamberts, M. De Broe, C. Van Hoorebeke, D. Vanden Berghe, in Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine, Eds P. Collery, P. Brätter, V. Negretti de Brätter, L. Khassanova, J. C. Etienne, John Libbey Eurotext, Paris, 1998, Vol. III, 228–232.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Martin, K.R. (2013). Silicon: The Health Benefits of a Metalloid. In: Sigel, A., Sigel, H., Sigel, R. (eds) Interrelations between Essential Metal Ions and Human Diseases. Metal Ions in Life Sciences, vol 13. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7500-8_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7500-8_14
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-7499-5
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-7500-8
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)