The best silicon supplement: how it works, the benefits, and which one to choose

Silicon is a trace element found in small amounts in the human body. As a supplement, silicon is available in various forms, from highly absorbable to less so, and from liquid silicon to capsules. But which should you choose? And what should you look out for when buying a silicon supplement? We’ll guide you through it.

What is silicon?

Silicon is a mineral that occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust, in our bodies, and in foods such as wholegrains, vegetables and water.

Want to know more? Read everything about silicon here.

Silicon drops, powder or capsules: which is best?

Silicon comes in different forms: drops, powder and capsules. Which form you choose mainly depends on personal preference and ease of use.

• Liquid silicon (drops): is absorbed quickly by the body and is convenient to use.
• Silicon powder: can be mixed with water or juice, but absorption may depend on the form.
• Silicon capsules/tablets: easy to take, but absorption may be slower than with liquid forms.

Elemental silicon or bioactive (OSA) silicon?

Not all silicon supplements are absorbed equally well by the body. There are different forms of silicon; the most common are:

• Bioactive silicon (OSA – orthosilicic acid): this is the most bioavailable form of silicon. Choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid (Ch-OSA) is often used in supplements because choline helps with stabilisation and absorption.
• Organic silicon: this type of silicon still needs to be converted in the body to release bioavailable silicon.
• Monosilicic acid (H2SiO3): a hydrated form of orthosilicic acid that is sometimes found in water. It can be converted into orthosilicic acid in the body, but it is less stable and slightly less well absorbed.
• Hydrolysed silicon: this is formed when silicon dioxide (SiO₂) is dissolved in water, leading to the formation of silicon nanoparticles. This is less well absorbed than orthosilicic acid, and you often need a higher dose to achieve the same effect.
• Elemental silicon: this is the solid, natural form of silicon that is abundant in the Earth’s crust. Although it is present in food, it is hardly absorbed by the body.

Buying silicon? Here’s what to look out for

When choosing a silicon supplement, it’s important to pay attention to a few things:

• Form: choose a supplement that suits your preference, such as liquid, powder or capsules. Liquid forms of silicon are often absorbed more quickly, while capsules are easier to take.
• Absorbability: bioactive silicon (OSA) is absorbed better than elemental silicon, so your body benefits more. So, pay attention to bioavailability.
• Excipients and fillers: check the ingredients list and avoid unnecessary additions such as excipients, fillers, flavourings or sugars. A pure product is kinder to your body.
• Dosage: look at the amount of silicon per serving and choose a product that matches your needs.

Good to know

Choose a well-absorbed form such as bioactive (OSA) silicon, and pay attention to the dosage and purity of the product. By choosing the best silicon, you’ll get the most out of this mineral!

Sources

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