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Biologically Active BioSil

The Revolutionary Advantage of Orthosilicic Acid

Silica gel, a colloidal preparation of polymerized silicic acid, is a formula which remains mostly insoluble in water. Colloidal preparation mean that particles of polymerized silicic acid are suspended in water. Due to differences in absorbability, the percentage of silicon absorbed form "colloidal-silicon" products is significantly lower than a "silicon-solution" product such as BioSil. The polymerized particles in "colloidal products" must first be hydrolyzed in the stomach into Orthosilicic Acid (manometric units) prior to absorption, whereas BioSil contains stabilized Orthosilicic Acid which is absorbed directly through the stomach and gastro-intestinal wall. Silicates from foods such as grains or silica supplements (i.e. silicon dioxide or sodium metasilicate) are not directly absorbed by the body. Such silica and silicates must also first be hydrolyzed in the stomach to form Orthosilicic Acid, which is the only silicon form absorbed by the human body. The amount of Orthosilicic Avid produced by the stomach from dietary silica is low due to concentration (solubility) limits. "Silica" is another term for silicon dioxide, SiO2. The absorption of silica, then, is extremely poor.

"Horsetail" plant products contain mostly silicates. There are three common drawbacks associated with horsetail:

1. The exact silicon compounds in these extracts are not well characterized, but silicates will certainly be present as these were reported to contribute to the strength of vascular bundles in plants. Even though Orthosilicic Acid is present in living plants (orthosilicic Acid is the only form of silicon which can be absorbed by the roots from the soil), none is left after plant processing. Extraction and drying causes the conversion to non-bioactive silicates.. Also, the concentration of Orthosilicic Acid in living plants would still be low due to natural concentration limits. Because dry horsetail products contain silicates, the stomach must convert them into Orthosilicic Acid.
2. The plant extracts available on the market often are not standardized. The silicon concentration in these products varies greatly, and often the manufacturer does not specify the silicon concentration in the product. Furthermore, the amount of silicon does translate into a known bioavailable quantity.
3. Horsetail is a diuretic, which is self-defeating when replenishing and maintaining mineral status is the goal. Also, high doses of diuretics may cause renal problems for some individuals. The best documented function of silicon is its facilitating action in bone calcification and its chemical association with several constituents of the extracellular matrix in connective tissues. This matrix consists primarily of fibrous proteins such as collagen, embedded in a hydrated polysaccharide gel which provides a cushioning yet resilient support to tissues while enabling the diffusion of nutrients, metabolites, and hormones between the blood and tissue cells. Silicon, being covalently bound to components of this matrix, is important for the structural integrity, development, and regulatory functions of connective tissue.

Orthosilicic Acid is the only water soluble and the most bioavailable form of silicon. Therefore, supplementation with BioSil improves the quality of articular cartilage and increases the concentration of glucosamines and minerals.