Is The Silicon in Coral Calcium Dangerous?

Small amounts of silicon naturally occur in coral calcium, and you might be surprised to hear that this is a good thing. Silicon is the most abundant mineral in the earth’s crust and is actually considered to be an essential trace mineral of the body. Despite the abundant distribution of silicon in the environment there is evidence that suggest that many diets may be deficient in this important mineral.

Silicon is proving to be an essential ingredient for stronger bones, better skin and more flexible joints. Including the silicon from coral calcium in your diet may boost the benefits of calcium, glucosamine and vitamin D.

The human body contains approximately 7 grams of silicon, which is present in various tissues and body fluids. The silicon in tissues is usually bonded to glycoproteins such as cartilage, whereas the silicon in blood is almost entirely found as either free orthosilicic acid or linked to small compounds.

The biological requirement for silicon was first demonstrated by Edith Carlisle and Klaus Schwarz(1,2) in experiments with rats and chickens that were fed silicon-deficient diets. These experiments demonstrated that nutritional silicon deficiency causes skeletal deformities such as abnormal skull and long bone structure, as well as poorly-formed joints with decreased cartilage content. Detailed biochemical analysis revealed that silicon is an essential nutrient for the structural integrity and development of connective tissue.(3,4)

Silicon in your diet

The daily dietary intake of silicon is estimated to be between 20 to 50 mg,(17) with lower intakes associated with animal-based diets and higher intakes associated with vegetarian diets. Plants absorb orthosilicic acid from the soil and convert it into polymerized silicon for mechanical and structural support. (18) This explains why fiber-rich foods such as cereals, oats, wheat bran and vegetables have a high silicon concentration. An unbalanced diet with a limited supply of vegetables, fruits and cereals will be low in silicon concentration.

Why Coral Calcium is a Good Source of Silicon

If you find that you need a silicon supplement, the most important considerations should be safety and bioavailability. Bioavailability is a complex term for the degree of absorption and the biological response to the silicon compounds which are present in the product. Organic silicon compounds, which are laboratory synthesized, contain silicon-carbon bonds. These molecules are normally not present in biological systems and can be very toxic. For this reason it is safest to use silicon compounds that are already present in nature or compounds that are the derivatives of natural products. Fortunately silicon naturally occurs in coral calcium and could be the best choice for a silicon supplement as coral calcium gives you a full complex of calcium and trace minerals.

References:

1. Calisle EM. Silicon, an essential element for the chick. Science 1972, 178:619-62

2. Schwartz K, et al. Growth-promoting effects of silicon in rats. Nature 1972, 239:333-334.

3. Seaborn C, et al. Effects of germanium and silicon on bone mineralization. Biological Trace Element Res 1994, 42:151-164.

4. Seaborn C, et al. Silicon deprivation decreases collagen formation in wounds and bone, and ornithine transminase enzyme activity in liver. Biol Trace Elem Res 2002, 89(3):251-61.

5. Pennington JAT. Silicon in foods and diets. Food Addit Contam1991, 8:97-118.

6. Sangstet AG, et al. Silica in higher plants nutrition. In Silicon Biochemistry, CIBA Foundation Symposium 121, John Wiley and Sons, New York, p. 90-111.

Coral Calcium is a Good Source of Silicon