Silicon
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Silicon (Silicon Dioxide / Orthosilicic Acid) is a dietary supplement with 7 published peer-reviewed studies involving 3,081 participants, researched for Bone Health, Hair & Nail Strength, Skin Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Bone Health
ModerateHair & Nail Strength
ModerateSkin Health
ModerateConnective Tissue Support
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Bone Health
To evaluate silicon supplementation on bone mineral density in osteopenic women.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate silicon supplementation on bone mineral density in osteopenic women.
Dose
6 mg/day orthosilicic acid (BioSil)
Participants
136 women with low bone density
Duration
12 months
Results
Silicon supplementation significantly improved cortical bone mineral density at the femoral shaft and increased osteocalcin levels compared to calcium/vitamin D alone, suggesting enhanced bone formation.
How They Measured It
DXA bone mineral density (femoral neck, lumbar spine), bone turnover markers
To summarise the role of silicon in bone metabolism and mineralisation.
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To summarise the role of silicon in bone metabolism and mineralisation.
Dose
N/A
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Silicon is associated with bone mineralisation and collagen synthesis. Epidemiological evidence links higher silicon intake with higher bone mineral density. Silicon stimulates type I collagen production in osteoblasts.
How They Measured It
Narrative review of human, animal, and cell culture studies
Hair & Nail Strength
To evaluate orthosilicic acid supplementation on hair thickness and strength.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate orthosilicic acid supplementation on hair thickness and strength.
Dose
10 mg/day orthosilicic acid (BioSil)
Participants
48 women with fine hair
Duration
9 months
Results
Orthosilicic acid supplementation significantly improved hair tensile strength and cross-sectional area compared to placebo. Participants also reported reduced hair breakage and improved subjective hair quality.
How They Measured It
Phototrichogram analysis, hair tensile strength, cross-sectional area
Skin Health
To assess the effect of oral silicon on skin elasticity and collagen synthesis.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess the effect of oral silicon on skin elasticity and collagen synthesis.
Dose
10 mg/day orthosilicic acid
Participants
50 women with skin ageing
Duration
20 weeks
Results
Silicon supplementation significantly improved skin elasticity and reduced skin roughness compared to placebo. Type I collagen production was enhanced, supporting silicon's role in skin structure.
How They Measured It
Skin elasticity (cutometer), skin roughness, collagen synthesis markers
To investigate the mechanisms by which orthosilicic acid stimulates collagen production in skin fibroblasts.
Study Type
In-vitro study
Purpose
To investigate the mechanisms by which orthosilicic acid stimulates collagen production in skin fibroblasts.
Dose
Various orthosilicic acid concentrations
Participants
Human dermal fibroblast cell cultures
Duration
N/A
Results
Orthosilicic acid dose-dependently stimulated type I collagen synthesis and upregulated hydroxylase enzymes in skin fibroblasts, providing a cellular mechanism for silicon's skin health benefits.
How They Measured It
Type I procollagen synthesis, hydroxylase enzyme activity in fibroblast culture
Connective Tissue Support
To examine the association between dietary silicon intake and bone mineral density in men and pre-menopausal women.
Study Type
Epidemiological cohort
Purpose
To examine the association between dietary silicon intake and bone mineral density in men and pre-menopausal women.
Dose
Dietary silicon intake (quintiles)
Participants
2,847 adults from Framingham Osteoporosis Study
Duration
Observational
Results
Silicon intake was positively and significantly associated with cortical bone mineral density at the femoral neck. The association was strongest in men and premenopausal women, suggesting silicon is important for peak bone mass.
How They Measured It
Dietary silicon intake, BMD at femoral neck and lumbar spine
To investigate silicon's role in cartilage and connective tissue integrity.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate silicon's role in cartilage and connective tissue integrity.
Dose
Si-deficient diet vs Si-adequate diet
Participants
Sprague-Dawley rats
Duration
10 weeks
Results
Silicon-deficient animals showed significantly reduced cartilage proteoglycan content and impaired collagen cross-linking. Adequate silicon was required for normal connective tissue structure and function.
How They Measured It
Cartilage proteoglycan content, collagen cross-linking, histological scoring
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Silicon research
There are currently 7 peer-reviewed studies on Silicon (Silicon Dioxide / Orthosilicic Acid), involving 3,081 total participants. Research covers Bone health, Hair & nail strength, Skin health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (4 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Silicon has been researched for: Bone health, Hair & nail strength, Skin health, Connective tissue support. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 4 out of 7 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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