Silicon, Vitamin D and Bone Health - multiple studies

---

Which silicon supplements have good bio-availability? Asked Perplexity AI with Deep Reasoning Feb 2024

Bioavailability of Silicon Supplements: A Comprehensive Analysis of Effective Forms and Clinical Evidence
Silicon, a trace mineral essential for connective tissue health, bone formation, and collagen synthesis, has gained attention for its role in human nutrition. However, the efficacy of silicon supplements hinges on bioavailability—the proportion absorbed and utilized by the body. This report synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed studies, clinical trials, and commercial formulations to identify silicon supplements with high bioavailability, examining their chemical forms, stabilization methods, and clinical outcomes.
Key Forms of Silicon Supplements and Their Bioavailability
Monomethylsilanetriol (MMST)
Monomethylsilanetriol (MMST), a monomeric organosilicon compound, exhibits exceptional bioavailability due to its stability in solution and resistance to polymerization. Clinical trials demonstrate that MMST achieves ~64% bioavailability, significantly outperforming silica (SiO₂) and horsetail extracts 3 7. In humans, MMST supplementation elevates serum silicon levels, supporting its use in osteoarthritis and skin health 3 12. For instance, a study comparing MMST to colloidal silica found urinary silicon excretion rates 14 times higher with MMST, confirming its superior absorption 13. Commercial products like Orgono Living Silica and Dr. Mercola Silica Collagen Builder leverage MMST’s stability, with trials showing improved nail strength and skin elasticity 7 12.
Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) and Stabilized Variants
Orthosilicic acid (OSA), the biologically active form of silicon, is highly bioavailable but prone to polymerization at neutral pH, reducing solubility. Stabilization strategies address this limitation:

1. Choline-Stabilized OSA (ch-OSA): By binding OSA to choline, polymerization is inhibited, maintaining monomeric form. A double-blind trial found that ch-OSA (12 mg Si/day) increased serum silicon by 173 μg/L and improved bone mineral density in postmenopausal women 6 12. However, ch-OSA’s high alkalinity (pH 7.9) may disrupt intestinal epithelium integrity in vitro, raising safety concerns 13.
2. Collagen-Stabilized OSA: Emerging as a safer alternative, collagen-stabilized OSA enhances bioavailability without epithelial toxicity. Comparative studies show collagen matrices improve silicon retention in the glycocalyx, facilitating absorption 13.

OSA formulations like California Gold Nutrition Choline Silica Complex and Orthopur Si utilize these stabilization methods, achieving bioavailability comparable to MMST 9 15.
Calcium Silicate
Certain calcium silicate variants demonstrate moderate bioavailability, contingent on solubility. A crossover study comparing calcium silicate, horsetail grass, and silicon-amino acid complexes found calcium silicate excreted 15.2 mg Si/10 hours—fourfold higher than alternatives >4. However, insoluble calcium silicate forms (e.g., some antacids) exhibit negligible absorption, underscoring the importance of selecting hydrolytically active variants 16.
Factors Influencing Silicon Bioavailability
Chemical Speciation and Polymerization
Silicon’s absorption inversely correlates with polymerization degree. Monomeric forms (OSA, MMST) are readily absorbed, while polymeric colloids (e.g., bamboo silica) require gastrointestinal breakdown, reducing bioavailability 11 16. For example, OSA concentrations >2 mM trigger polymerization into non-absorbable polysilicic acids unless stabilized 2 11.
pH and Solubility
Gastric acidity solubilizes dietary silica into OSA, but aging-related pH elevation impairs this conversion 5. Supplements with pH-neutral, pre-solubilized silicon (e.g., MMST, ch-OSA) bypass this limitation, enhancing absorption in elderly populations 5 15.
Stabilization Agents
Choline: Prevents OSA polymerization but may irritate intestinal lining 13.
Collagen and Maltodextrin: Improve solubility without toxicity, ideal for long-term use 13.
L-Carnitine: Enhances cellular uptake synergistically, as seen in California Gold Nutrition’s formulation 9.
Clinical Evidence and Commercial Applications
Bone Health
Ch-OSA supplementation (6–12 mg Si/day) over 12 months increased femoral BMD by 2.3% in osteopenic women, attributed to collagen synthesis stimulation 6 12. Similarly, MMST elevated tibial silicon concentrations in poultry models, indicating bone matrix integration 1 8.
Dermatological Benefits
A 20-week trial of ch-OSA (10 mg Si/day) reduced skin roughness by 16% and improved hair/nail brittleness scores by 40%, linked to dermal hydroxyproline increases 12. MMST’s role in keratinocyte activation further supports its use in KAL Silica Plus and Eidon Liquid Silica for hair strength 7 14.
Comparative Efficacy
MMST vs. OSA: MMST’s stability grants it higher bioavailability (64% vs. 43% for OSA) 3 14.
OSA vs. Horsetail Extract: Horsetail’s silica content is largely non-bioavailable (4–11 mg/L vs. 400 mg/L for stabilized OSA) 1 4
Recommendations for Optimal Silicon Supplementation

1. Prioritize Monomeric Forms: MMST and stabilized OSA (collagen > choline) offer the highest absorption rates.
2. Dose Considerations: 10–20 mg Si/day aligns with EFSA safety thresholds and clinical efficacy 2 6.
3. Formulation Synergy: Combinations with collagen peptides (e.g., Daily Beauty) enhance connective tissue outcomes 14.
4. Avoid Insoluble Silicates: Bamboo and horsetail extracts provide limited benefit due to low solubility 4 7.

Conclusion
Silicon supplementation’s therapeutic potential depends critically on bioavailability. Current evidence positions MMST and stabilized OSA (particularly collagen-bound) as the most effective forms, validated by serum pharmacokinetics and clinical endpoints. Calcium silicate variants and OSA-choline complexes remain viable but require careful selection based on solubility and safety profiles. Future research should explore long-term outcomes of collagen-stabilized OSA and MMST in aging populations, addressing connective tissue degeneration and osteoporosis.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16

---

Silicon: A neglected micronutrient essential for bone health – March 2021

Exp Biol Med (Maywood) . 2021 Mar 9;1535370221997072. doi: 10.1177/1535370221997072 PDF expected to be frree June 2022
Mariangela Rondanelli 1 2, Milena A Faliva 3, Gabriella Peroni 3, Clara Gasparri 3, Simone Perna 4, Antonella Riva 5, Giovanna Petrangolini 5, Alice Tartara 3

Bone matrix is predominantly made up of collagen, and in vitro and in animal models studies have shown that silicon is linked to glycosaminoglycans and plays an important role in the formation of cross-links between collagen and proteoglycans, determining the beneficial effects on strength, composition, and mechanical properties of bone. However, there are still no precise indications regarding a possible role of silicon on bone health in humans. Given this background, the aim of this narrative review was to consider the effectiveness of silicon dietary intake and silicon dietary supplementation (alone or with other micronutrients), in order to suggest a daily dosage of Si supplementation, on bone mineral density in humans. This review included eight eligible studies: four regarding dietary intake and four considering supplementation with silicon alone or with other nutrients. Despite the number of studies considered being low, the number of subjects studied is high (10012) and the results are interesting.
Although to date the available scientific evidences are not considered valid enough to allow to establish an adequate level of Silicon intake, based on extrapolations from the data obtained with studies on animal and human models, it has been suggested that an adequate intake in order to promote beneficial effects for bone could be considered to be around 25 mg silicon/day.
As for silicon dietary supplements, it has been shown that the combined treatment with orthosilicic acid (6 mg), calcium, and vitamin D has a potentially beneficial effect on femoral BMD compared to only use of calcium and vitamin D.

---

Vitamin D with Silicon Chelates a great for healing bone (in rodents)- May 2022

Experimental Testing of the Action of Vitamin D and Silicon Chelates in Bone Fracture Healing and Bone Turnover in Mice and Rats
Nutrients 2022, 14(10), 1992; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14101992
by Aleksey Bychkov 1,2,*ORCID,Vyacheslav Koptev 3,Varvara Zaharova 3,Polina Reshetnikova 4,Elena Trofimova 2,Elena Bychkova 4,Ekaterina Podgorbunskikh 2ORCID andOleg Lomovsky 2
1 Scientific Department, Moscow State University of Food Production, 11 Volokolamskoe Hwy., 125080 Moscow, Russia
2 Lab. of Mechanochemistry, Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry SB RAS, 18 Kutateladze, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
3 Lab. of Young Animal Diseases, Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agro-Biotechnologies RAS, 2b Centralnaya, 630501 Novosibirsk, Russia
4 Department of Business, Novosibirsk State Technical University, 20 Prospekt K. Marksa, 630073 Novosibirsk, Russia

This study presents findings on the biological action of an integrated supplement containing the following components involved in osteogenesis and mineralization: vitamin D and silicon in the bioavailable and soluble form. A hypothesis that these components potentiate one another’s action and make calcium absorption by the body more efficient was tested. Biological tests of the effect of vitamin D and silicon chelates on bone fracture healing and bone turnover were conducted using ICR mice and albino Wistar rats. Radiographic and biochemical studies show that the supplement simultaneously containing silicon chelates and vitamin D stimulates bone tissue regeneration upon mechanical defects and accelerates differentiation of osteogenic cells, regeneration of spongy and compact bones, and restoration of bone structure due to activation of osteoblast performance. Bone structure restoration was accompanied by less damage to skeletal bones, apparently due to better absorption of calcium from food. The studied supplement has a similar effect when used to manage physiologically induced decalcification, thus holding potential for the treatment of osteomalacia during pregnancy or occupational diseases (e.g., for managing bone decalcification in astronauts).
 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki

---

Web - Silica and health

• Silicon as Versatile Player in Plant and Human Biology: Overlooked and Poorly Understood - Nov 2015 FREE PDF
• Bioavailability of a novel form of silicon supplement - Nov 2018 FREE PDF
• Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy - Jan 2013 FREE PDF

---

VitamindWiki - Bone - Health category

315 items in Bone - Health category
See also

• Overviews: Osteoporosis,  Fractures,  Rickets  Dental   Hair
• 16 articles are in both Bone and Magnesium categories
• 29 articles are in both Bone and Vitamin K2 categories
• 18 articles are in both Bone and Sports categories
• 8 articles are in both Bone and Meta-analysis categories
• 25 articles are in both Fractures and Meta-analysis categories
• Healthy bones need: Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Silicon, Vitamin K, and Boron – 2012
• VitaminDWiki pages with BONE MINERAL DENSITY or BMD in title 25 pages as of Feb 2023
• Hearing loss is associated with soft bones in ear
  • Perhaps prevented and treated by Vitamin D
• See also Overview of Rickets and Vitamin D   Overview Osteoporosis and vitamin D

---

VitamindWiki -Falls and Fractures category contains

• 259 items in FALLS and FRACTURES
• Vitamin D and Calcium cost-effectively reduce falls and fractures – April 2019
• see also Overview Seniors and Vitamin D
  • Overview Fractures and Falls and Vitamin D
  • Overview Fractures and vitamin D
  • Muscles and Vitamin D - many studies

Falls

• Fall prevention - Vitamin D is one of the ways - umbrella review Jan 2024
• Deaths due to falls doubled in just a decade (age-adjusted, perhaps decreased vitamin D) – June 2019
• Preventing Falls in Older Adults – Vitamin D combination is the best - JAMA Meta-analysis Nov 2017
• Falls cut in half by 100,000 IU vitamin D monthly - RCT 2016
• Falls reduced by a third if achieved 40 ng level vitamin D– RCT Sept 2018
  • Note: It took 6 months to get to that level. Most trials last only 3 months
• Vitamin D prevents falls – majority of meta-analyses conclude – meta-meta analysis Feb 2015
• Falls reduced by Vitamin D: 13 percent reduction if more than 700 IU – review of 38 trials – Aug 2022

Left hand column section as of Nov 2024

Fracture

• Hip fractures are predicted by 10 factors – low Vitamin D is the biggest – Aug 2023
• Vitamin D and fractures – 24 meta-analyses and counting – Dec 2014
• Low trauma bone fractures in seniors – considering Vitamin D loading dose for all, without testing – Nov 2019
• Vitamin K (any amount and any kind) reduced bone fractures by 24 percent – meta-analysis – May 2019
• 77+ Hip fracture items in VitaminDWiki title   Click here for details examples:
  • Risk of Hip fracture cut in half if Vitamin D was prescribed - Aug 2023
  • Call to action: Vitamin D to prevent of treat hip fracture (50,000 weekly for 8 weeks, then bi-weekly) – Holick July 2020

---

VitamindWiki - Overview Osteoporosis and vitamin D contains

• FACT: Bones need Calcium (this has been known for a very long time)
• FACT: Vitamin D improves Calcium bioavailability (3X ?)
• FACT: Should not take > 750 mg of Calcium if taking lots of vitamin D (Calcium becomes too bio-available)
• FACT: Adding vitamin D via Sun, UV, or supplements increased vitamin D in the blood
• FACT: Vitamin D supplements are very low cost
• FACT: Many trials, studies. reviews, and meta-analysis agree: adding vitamin D reduces osteoporosis
• FACT: Toxic level of vitamin D is about 4X higher than the amount needed to reduce osteoporosis
• FACT: Co-factors help build bones.
• FACT: Vitamin D Receptor can restrict Vitamin D from getting to many tissues, such as bones
• It appears that to TREAT Osteoporosis:
•        Calcium OR vitamin D is ok
•        Calcium + vitamin D is good
•        Calcium + vitamin D + other co-factors is great
•        Low-cost Vitamin D Receptor activators sometimes may be helpful
• CONCLUSION: To PREVENT many diseases, including Osteoporosis, as well as TREAT Osteoporosis
• Category Osteoporosis has 225 items
• Category Bone Health has 315 items

Note: Osteoporosis causes bones to become fragile and prone to fracture
  Osteoarthritis is a disease where damage occurs to the joints at the end of the bones

---

VitamindWiki - Osteoporosis category includes

• 225 items in category - see also Overview Osteoporosis and vitamin D
• Overview Fractures and vitamin D
• Bone - Health 315 items
• VitaminDWiki pages with BONE MINERAL DENSITY or BMD in title 29+ pages
• Search VitaminDWiki for OSTEOPENIA 1740 items as of July 2020
• 13 articles are in both Osteroporosis and Vitamin D Receptor categories
• 10 articles are in both Osteroporosis and Meta-analysis categories
• 20X increase in vitamin D sold and 36 percent decrease in osteoporosis business in Australia – Nov 2013

---

VitaminDWiki pages with SILICON in title (4 as of May 2022)

This list is automatically updated

---

VitamindWiki - Other bones

Note: The founder of VitaminDWki has been adding Siicon in the form of extremely low-cost hosetail for many years
Some Other Bones

• Which supplements are often taken for healing hairline bone fractures
• Bone density improved by monthly 50,000 IU of vitamin D for 6 months – RCT Jan 2021
• Bone increased : Stiffness (Vitamin D), Flexibility (Vitamin K2) – Sept 2020
• Hard bones, soft arteries, rather than vice versa (Vitamin D and Vitamin K) – March 2016
• Less bone loss if take 100,000 IU vitamin D monthly – RCT Nov 2017

---

There have been 7998 visits to this page