Silica has been an object of fascination and research for many scientists since a long time. According to Louis Pasteur's predictions in the late nineteenth century, silica was to be an important healing element for a variety of diseases. He had also envisioned that silica would gradually become a vital element in nutrition and the health of human beings. The works of Schwartz, Kevran, Bergna, Iler and Carlisle in the last century gave us a lot of information about this abundant element. Primarily, it was Edith Carlisle who discovered the importance of silica for the optimum growth and development of the human body at the UCLA School of Public Health. Her studies on mice and chicken indicated that silica plays a vital role in the development and creation of collagen. It was also revealed that the absence of silica in the overall nutrition causes abnormalities and stunted growth in the human body. These days' scientists have been concentrating on the effects of silica deficiency in human beings. Unlike the studies conducted on animals, human experimentation has established that silica is not only essential for maintaining good health but also helps in fighting a number of diseases, as we grow old. Collagen helps in keeping the human skeleton together. It is the base protein for all kinds of connective tissues. The deficiency of collagen causes a variety of aging problems like weak digestion, dry skin, detoriating gums and teeth, atherosclerosis and brittle bones. In youth, the body has ample amounts of silica, which help in maintaining the strength and flexibility of the joints. It also helps in keeping the skin supple and soft. With age, our body becomes deficient in silica, our skin becomes wrinkled and we develop all kinds of joint problems. Silica is as vital as calcium in the process of collagen and bone formation. Silica forms a vital part of the collagen matrix. Once the matrix is formed, calcium is then deposited on the matrix. In the chemical parlance, silica is actually silicon dioxide. When it combines with other minerals, it forms silicates. The water-soluble version of these silicates is known as silicic acid. The human body abounds in orthosilicic acid, which is an essential constituent of kidney, liver, aorta, tendons and bones. Silica helps to reinforce blood vessels to counteract the effects coronary disease. In 1958, researches by Loeper and Leoper revealed that silica is needed to prevent and remove plaque formation in the arteries. Silica helps in maintaining the elasticity and suppleness of the arteries. There is still much to discover about this vital ingredient, which helps in holding our very bodies together. As researches go on, we may even discover more benefits of silica, which make it the elixir of life on this planet.
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