A number of researchers and scientists have been fascinated by silica for centuries. In the latter half of the nineteenth century, Louis Pasteur had predicted that silica would play an important role in healing different kinds of ailments. He had also said that humans would soon realize the value of silica in their overall health and nutrition. The subsequent researches of a number of scientists like Carlisle, Iler, Bergna, Kevran and Schwartz in the twentieth century helped us to understand this element better than ever before. Edith Carlisle from the UCLA School revealed that silica was one of the most important elements for human body's development and growth. Her experiments on chicken and mice were an important step in understanding the role played by silica in the formation and development of collagen. She discovered that silica was so vital to the human body that the lack of it could lead to poor growth and many other deformities. In the new millennium, scientists have continued and built on the research of their predecessors. Now a day's more and more researches are being conducted to understand the impact of the deficiency of silica in humans. These studies have ascertained beyond a doubt that silica is a vital ingredient in preventing aging and the preservation of over all human health. The basic building block of the human skeleton is collagen. This substance is present in connective tissues, bones and cartilage. Naturally, inadequacy of this substance can create a number of problems for the young and the old. In fact, the aging process causes depletion in this substance, which paves way for the other kinds of problems. Collagen deficiency can lead to brittle bones, atherosclerosis, deterioration of teeth and gums, dry skin and digestion problems. When we are young, we have adequate amounts of silica in the body, which aid in the maintenance of flexibility and strength in the joints. It also plays a role in maintaining the softness and elasticity of the skin. An inadequate amount of this element causes the development of wrinkles and many problems in the joints. Silica is as important as calcium when it comes to our bones and collagen. It is an essential ingredient of the collagen matrix. The deposition of calcium only occurs upon the complete formation of matrix. Leoper and Leoper conducted a number of researches in the late 1950s. Their studies indicated that an adequate amount of silica can help in preventing and even removing the plaque in the arteries. This plaque can later cause heart problems. Moreover, with silica around in the right quantities, arteries tend to remain supple and elastic. Chemically silica is nothing but silicon dioxide. In combination with other kinds of elements or minerals, silicates are formed. These silicates are soluble in water and this version is known as silicic acid. Orthosilicic acid is an important component of the human body and its vital organs like bones, tendons, liver and kidney. Humans or even earth is incomplete without silica. Plants, animals, Homo sapiens, and the entire planet need this element for their processes and even life!
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