When most people hear the word silica, some of the common images that come to are sand or even Silicon Valley. Some people even think of glass or computer chips or even breast enhancements. The truth is silica is present in all these elements and much more. It is present in abundance in sand, in rocks and in a variety of gemstones. Moreover, according to the recent reports, Silica is present in our bodies as well! Till recently, no one could imagine that silica was not just a building block of the planet but also our bodies. No one could imagine that this element is an important ingredient to maintain good health for the young and the old alike. However, now things have changed and the verdict is out! Silica is as important to the body as calcium and magnesium. It helps in the proper functioning of the bones and all the elements of the human skeletal system. In fact, most doctors feel that silica plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Silica helps in enhancing the strength of the bones while calcium helps in making them denser. Most people think Silica and Silicon is the same thing. They do belong to the same category but they are different. The naturally occurring element is known as Silicon. However, when exposed to the atmosphere, silicon combines with oxygen to form silica or silicates. Organic silica is when silica combines with hydrogen and carbon. This organic silica is safe for consumption while naturally occurring silica is not. Foods like strawberries, avocados, green vegetables, and rice and wheat hulls contain silica. Horsetail is also a rich source of silica. Most of the silica in these foods gets lost while processing them. Silica is also found in beer and bones in meats. These days a lot of health supplements also contain silica. Silica is required for good bone growth. It is also needed to maintain healthy hair and nails. Deficiency of silica can retard growth and even cause brittle nails and hair fall. Another big benefit of silica is it can help many people in the world that have high blood pressure. Research has shown that it can help regulate high blood pressure in people who are at risk. It helps promote and maintain proper levels throughout the circulatory system by lowering the pressure. In doing so, it will help bring any abnormal circulation back to normal. Some people are of the opinion that supplements containing silica may cause some or other types of side effects. However, no side effects or toxic effects have been reported till now. The only way silica can harm humans is by prolonged inhalation of silicon dust while working in some kind of an industry. This may lead to a respiratory disease known as silicosis. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) is a very serious condition that is effecting many people today, and many more are being diagnosed every day. Silica supplements at a young age will help to prevent this condition. Look for a pure supplement, one that comes from quartz crystal when purchasing your silica.
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