Both elements share left / right-sided cell receptors and are considered essential to human health. Silicon is usually supplemented in the form of Silica (silicon dioxide) in capsules from horsetail extract, and it can be taken either internally or applied externally as silica gel. Silicon can also be obtained by taking clay internally, where some forms of the clay contain more than 60% SiO2. Possible side effects from the (internal) use of silica gel include skin rash or stomach irritations, while silica from horsetail extract is usually well tolerated, although pustule-like skin changes may develop on rare occasions when very high amounts are supplemented. With clay generally having a constipating effect when used internally (it needs to be taken with sufficient amounts of water), it may benefit those suffering from diarrhea, colitis, and Crohn's disease.

Silicon (Si) is present in more than one fourth of the earth's crust and is widely distributed in the soil, plants and water. In the body, silicon is found in highest concentrations in connective tissues such as collagen, ten- dons, cartilage, the trachea, blood vessels (particularly the aorta), eyes, dental enamel, bone, hair, and skin, specifically the epidermis. Silicon-deficient diets resulted in retarded growth, poor bone development, and more atherosclerotic arterial plaques in animal studies. Silicon has a similar healing potential on cartilage and joint degeneration as sulfur, so both can be helpful for various types of arthritis.

Next to Bioflavonoids, silicon (or silica) are helpful in keeping blood vessel walls healthy, and it has been found that silicon concentrations of the thymus, skin, aorta and other arterial vessels decrease with increasing age and with the onset of atherosclerosis, which is reversible to some extent with oral or intravenous doses of silicon. Silica promotes the union of bone after a fracture, in contrast to calcium, which can actually slow the healing process or interfere with it altogether, especially when calcium levels are on the high side.

Source: http://www.acu-cell.com/gesi.html

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