Silicon
Description
Silicon, often found as silicic acid or orthosilicic acid (OSA) in its bioavailable form, is a trace mineral recognized for its crucial role in the structural integrity and health of various body tissues. Although not as widely known as other minerals, it is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust and is increasingly valued for its biological significance in human health. It acts primarily as a cross-linking agent and is involved in the synthesis and stabilization of connective tissues. This essential mineral is particularly beneficial for bone formation and maintenance, contributing to the mineralization process and aiding in the synthesis of collagen, a fundamental protein for bone matrix. Beyond skeletal health, silicon is vital for the health of skin, hair, and nails, where it supports the production of collagen and elastin, enhancing skin elasticity and hydration, and strengthening keratin structures in hair and nails. Due to its wide-ranging involvement in connective tissue health, silicon is considered important for supporting overall structural integrity and youthful appearance. Adequate silicon intake can contribute to strong bones, resilient skin, and robust hair and nails, making it a valuable component for those seeking to support their body's structural framework and outward vitality from within.
Sources
Whole grains (oats, barley, rice)Green beansLeafy green vegetablesRoot vegetablesBananasApplesOrangesHorsetail herbMineral water
Cheapest Silicon Supplements
Best Silicon supplements
Value Silicon supplements
Timing & Intake
Anytime
Silicon supplements are generally well-tolerated and can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Taking it with food may help prevent potential, though rare, mild gastrointestinal discomfort.
Optimal Dosage
Minimum5 mg
Maximum20 mg
Safety & Toxicity
Goals
Nail Health
Impact
Highest effect
Typical dose:5–20 mg
Silicon, often consumed as orthosilicic acid or from sources like bamboo or horsetail extract, is vital for the structural integrity of the nail plate. It helps to cross-link keratin strands, which may decrease brittleness and improve nail surface quality.
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Skin Health
Impact
High effect
Silicon is a trace mineral that plays a key role in the formation and stabilization of collagen. It activates hydroxylating enzymes involved in collagen synthesis, leading to improved skin strength, elasticity, and hydration. It is often supplemented as orthosilicic acid or from botanical sources like bamboo or horsetail.
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Hair Health
Impact
Moderate effect
Silicon is a trace mineral concentrated in connective tissues. It plays a structural role in forming collagen and is integrated into the hair shaft, contributing to its tensile strength, thickness, and elasticity. Supplementing directly with a bioavailable form of silicon can help improve hair quality and reduce breakage.
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Bone Health
Impact
Situational effect
Typical dose:5–20 mg
Silicon, often supplemented as orthosilicic acid, is concentrated in areas of active bone growth. It is thought to play a role in collagen synthesis and in the early stages of bone calcification, contributing to overall bone strength and health.
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Joint Health
Impact
Situational effect
Silicon, often from sources like bamboo or horsetail extract, is required for the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase, which is essential for collagen formation. It cross-links collagen strands, increasing the strength and integrity of cartilage, bone, and tendons.
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Interactions
Positive Interactions
Calcium
Silicon supports bone mineralization and collagen synthesis, complementing Calcium for optimal bone health and strength.
Magnesium
Silicon works with Magnesium to support bone health and the structural integrity of connective tissues.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis, a process in which silicon plays a supportive role, potentially enhancing benefits for skin, hair, nails, and connective tissues.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health; silicon further supports the bone matrix formation and mineralization.
Manganese
Manganese is a cofactor for enzymes involved in collagen and connective tissue formation, synergizing with silicon's role in these areas.
Boron
Boron influences mineral metabolism, including calcium and magnesium, and is implicated in bone health, thus potentially working with silicon to support skeletal structure.
Horsetail
Horsetail is a natural and rich botanical source of bioavailable silicon, directly contributing to its benefits.
Collagen
Silicon is vital for the synthesis and stabilization of collagen, making it a synergistic partner for collagen supplements to support skin, hair, nails, and connective tissues.
Hyaluronic Acid
Silicon contributes to the health of connective tissues and skin matrix, complementing Hyaluronic Acid's role in hydration and tissue structure.
Recommended products
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin Men 50+
Equate
Silicon: 2 mg
A cost-effective multivitamin for men 50+ offering a good range of essential nutrients, notably including a higher Vitamin D dose for bone and general health support.
Best 
Oceanic Silica
Solgar
Silicon: 108 mg
A combination of silica from red algae and calcium in capsules, aimed at supporting bone, joint, hair, skin, and nail health at an economical price.
Best 
Whole-Food Multivitamin plus Vital Minerals for Women
Dr. Mercola
Silicon: 100 mg
This multivitamin for women is very comprehensive, offering a broad spectrum of nutrients in bioavailable forms, complemented by botanicals and amino acids, though it requires a significant daily tablet count and contains some proprietary blends.
Best 
Whole-Food Multivitamin Plus Vital Minerals
Dr. Mercola
Silicon: 100 mg
This is a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral supplement featuring bioavailable nutrient forms, a whole-food blend, and additional supportive compounds for broad wellness and targeted health areas.
Best 
Extra Strength Hair Skin & Nails
Spring Valley
Silicon: 30 mg
This supplement offers a broad mix of vitamins, minerals, and specialty compounds like biotin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid, designed to support the health and appearance of hair, skin, and nails.
Value 
Super Silica Plus
KAL
Silicon: 20 mg
This supplement combines multiple forms of silica with biotin and MSM, designed to offer broad support for hair, skin, nails, bones, and joints in one tablet.
Best 
Hair Force
KAL
Silicon: 100 mg
KAL Hair Force offers a comprehensive blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and botanicals designed to support hair, skin, and nail health, addressing multiple nutritional and structural needs.
Budget 
One Daily Maximum
21st Century
Silicon: 2 mg
This multivitamin delivers a broad spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals at a very accessible price point, designed for general daily nutritional support.
Budget 
Therapeutic-M
21st Century
Silicon: 2 mg
Therapeutic-M is a cost-effective multivitamin-mineral supplement designed to offer broad, everyday nutritional support for general wellness.
Best 
Vitastack Orange
ALLMAX
Silicon: 40.5 mg
This is an expansive all-in-one daily supplement providing a broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanicals, and enzymes tailored for active lifestyles and general health support.
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin Adults 50+
Equate
Silicon: 2 mg
This multivitamin for adults 50+ offers a foundational blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and key carotenoids like Lutein and Lycopene, supporting general health, bone density, and vision at a very accessible price.
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin Women 50+
Equate
Silicon: 2 mg
A practical daily multivitamin for women over 50, providing a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals to support general health, bone density, and vision.
Best 
Hair Skin & Nails
Nature's Truth
Silicon: 30 mg
This supplement provides a comprehensive mix of vitamins, minerals, biotin, collagen, and other beauty-focused ingredients to support hair, skin, and nail health from the inside out.
Best 
Hair/Skin/Nails Ultra
Pure Encapsulations
Silicon: 30 mg
This supplement offers a focused blend of collagen, silica, and antioxidants for hair, skin, and nail support, but contains an unusually high 6000mg of Biotin that may cause concerns.
Budget 
Centrum Silver Adults 50+
Centrum
Silicon: 2 mg
This well-known multivitamin for adults 50+ offers a decent nutrient profile with a good Vitamin D dose for age-specific needs, but its higher price and unspecified ingredient forms are considerations.
Best 
Vegan Collagen Builder +
Amen
Silicon: 100 mg
This vegan collagen builder focuses on providing essential precursors and co-factors for the body's own collagen production, complemented by a range of antioxidants and botanicals for overall wellness.
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin
Equate
Silicon: 2 mg
This multivitamin offers a broad range of basic vitamins and minerals to support general daily health and fill common nutritional gaps at an economical price.
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin
Equate
Silicon: 2 mg
This multivitamin delivers a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals at a highly affordable price, making it a sensible choice for basic daily nutritional support for many adults.
Best 
Skin Nails & Hair
Solgar
Silicon: 50 mg
This Solgar supplement provides a concentrated blend of key nutrients like MSM, silicon, and amino acids, specifically formulated to support the structural integrity and appearance of skin, nails, and hair.
Value 
Gelatin & Silicon
Swanson Premium Brand
Silicon: 20 mg
This supplement blends gelatin and silicon aminoate to support the body's connective tissues, aiming to contribute to the health of skin, hair, nails, bones, and joints at a budget-friendly price.
Budget 
Complete Multivitamin Adults 50+
Equate
Silicon: 2 mg
This multivitamin is designed for adults over 50, offering higher Vitamin D3 and eye-supporting nutrients at a very cost-effective price, providing good daily nutritional support.
Budget 
Mature Multi
Kirkland Signature
Silicon: 2 mg
This multivitamin for mature adults provides a comprehensive nutrient blend with higher B12 and Folic Acid, offering good value for general daily support despite some unspecified ingredient forms.
Value 
Ultra Collagen with Horsetail Concentrate
Mason Natural
Silicon: 12 mg
This supplement offers a combination of collagen, biotin, horsetail, and various minerals and vitamins, targeting comprehensive support for hair, skin, nails, and bone/joint health.
Value 
Silica Collagen Builder
Dr. Mercola
Silicon: 10 mg
This supplement provides 10mg of 'Living Silica' to support the body's natural collagen production for healthy hair, skin, nails, bones, and joints.
Value 
Daily Boost
ZHOU
Silicon: 25 mg
This is a robust daily multivitamin that delivers essential nutrients with added support for digestion, mental function, and overall well-being.
Value 
Heavenly Hair Tropical Citrus
OLLY
Silicon: 21 mg
This gummy supplement combines popular hair, skin, and nail ingredients like Biotin, Keratin, and Silica in a tasty, easy-to-take format.
Product stats
Price per product
Average$26.84
Median$25.39
Price per serving
Average$0.62
Median$0.57
Price per 1 mg
Average$0.16
Median$0.09
Price distribution
Price per serving distribution
Price per 1 mg
Reference amount: 1 mg
Forms
Paired ingredients
Ingredient forms
Silicon Dioxide (16) 40
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) is the most abundant compound in the Earth's crust. While silicon is an essential trace mineral, supplemental silicon dioxide, especially in its inorganic, crystalline form, exhibits very low bioavailability and is not efficiently absorbed or utilized by the human body for systemic health benefits. It is frequently employed as an anti-caking agent in foods and supplements.
Pros
- Abundant and inexpensive
- Commonly used as an anti-caking agent
Cons
- Very low bioavailability for human absorption and utilization
- Not an effective form for supplementing silicon for health benefits
Per product
Avg$18.49
Med$17.07
Per serving
Avg$0.63
Med$0.57
Per 1 mg
Avg$0.05
Med$0.03
Price distribution
Horsetail extract (9) 65
Horsetail extract is derived from the *Equisetum arvense* plant, which naturally accumulates significant amounts of silica. It is a traditional botanical remedy often used for its perceived benefits in strengthening hair, skin, and nails, and supporting bone health due to its natural silicon content. The bioavailability of silicon from horsetail can vary depending on the extract's standardization and processing.
Pros
- Natural plant-based source of silica
- Traditional use for beauty and connective tissue health
- Contains other beneficial plant compounds
Cons
- Bioavailability of silicon can be inconsistent and lower compared to highly bioavailable forms like ch-OSA
- Contains thiaminase, which can degrade thiamine (Vitamin B1) if consumed in very large quantities or for prolonged periods
- May contain nicotine alkaloids in some species
Per product
Avg$22.59
Med$16.76
Per serving
Avg$0.39
Med$0.33
Per 1 mg
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution
Choline-stabilized Orthosilicic Acid (7) 90
Choline-stabilized Orthosilicic Acid (ch-OSA) is a patented form of silicon that has been stabilized with choline to prevent polymerization, ensuring superior bioavailability. This allows the body to effectively absorb and utilize elemental silicon, which is crucial for collagen formation, bone mineralization, and the health of connective tissues, skin, hair, and nails. It is considered one of the most effective supplemental forms of silicon due to extensive research.
Pros
- Clinically proven high bioavailability and absorption
- Extensively researched for efficacy across multiple health goals
- Effective for collagen formation, bone density, skin, hair, and nail health
Cons
- Can be more expensive than other forms
- May contain choline, which some individuals might need to consider regarding total choline intake
Per product
Avg$34.41
Med$33.18
Per serving
Avg$0.62
Med$0.59
Per 1 mg
Avg$0.13
Med$0.12
Price distribution
Bamboo (5) 62
Bamboo refers to the raw or minimally processed plant material, such as bamboo shoots or leaves. It naturally contains organic silica, which contributes to its traditional use in supporting skin, hair, and nail health, as well as bone and joint integrity. While a rich source, the concentration of bioavailable silicon can be less consistent and potentially lower in raw bamboo compared to standardized extracts.
Pros
- Natural, plant-based source of silica
- Contains other beneficial plant compounds
Cons
- Variable silica content, potentially less concentrated and less consistent bioavailability compared to standardized extracts
- Raw forms may not be as potent or effective as concentrated extracts
Per product
Avg$61.20
Med$56.00
Per serving
Avg$1.16
Med$1.23
Per 10 mg
Avg$0.89
Med$0.67
Price distribution
Bamboo extract (4) 70
Bamboo extract, typically derived from the leaves and stems of bamboo plants (e.g., *Bambusa vulgaris*), is an exceptional natural source of silica, often containing a higher percentage of elemental silicon (up to 70-75% silica by weight) compared to other plant sources. It is prized for its ability to support collagen synthesis and strengthen connective tissues, making it beneficial for skin elasticity, hair growth, and nail integrity.
Pros
- Very high natural silica content (often highest among plant sources)
- Plant-based source
- Traditionally used for beauty and health
Cons
- Bioavailability can vary depending on the extract's standardization and processing
- Less extensive human clinical trial data compared to ch-OSA specifically for its silicon benefits
Per product
Avg$27.26
Med$26.88
Per serving
Avg$0.91
Med$0.89
Per 1 mg
Avg$0.24
Med$0.22
Price distribution
Horsetail (4) 60
Horsetail refers to the raw, dried herb of *Equisetum arvense*. It contains naturally occurring silica, which is believed to contribute to its traditional uses for strengthening hair, skin, and nails, and supporting bone health. As a raw herb, the concentration of active compounds, including silicon, can vary more significantly than with standardized extracts, potentially leading to less consistent effects. It also possesses diuretic properties.
Pros
- Natural plant source
- Traditional use for beauty and connective tissue health
Cons
- Variable silicon content, potentially lower and less consistent bioavailability than extracts
- Diuretic effect may not be desired for all users
- Contains thiaminase, which can degrade thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Per product
Avg$29.44
Med$29.98
Per serving
Avg$0.44
Med$0.44
Per 1 mg
Avg$0.27
Med$0.27
Price distribution
Silica (3) 50
Silica is a broad term for compounds containing silicon and oxygen, with silicon dioxide (SiO2) being the most common form. While silicon is an essential mineral, the term 'silica' on a supplement label can be ambiguous. Without further specification (e.g., 'choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid' or 'bamboo extract standardized for silica'), it often implies a less bioavailable form like inorganic silicon dioxide, which is poorly absorbed. However, it can also refer to the silicon content of plant-based sources. Its effectiveness for health goals depends entirely on the specific form provided.
Pros
- Refers to the fundamental mineral essential for various bodily processes
Cons
- Ambiguous term, often indicating a poorly bioavailable form if not further specified
- Low absorption in many general or unspecified forms
Per product
Avg$19.80
Med$20.32
Per serving
Avg$0.27
Med$0.27
Per 10 mg
Avg$0.32
Med$0.33
Price distribution
Algae (2) 68
Some forms of algae, especially diatoms and certain microalgae, are known to accumulate high concentrations of silica within their cell walls. This biogenic silica is often in a more hydrated and potentially more bioavailable form than synthetic silicon dioxide. Algae-derived silica is gaining interest as a sustainable and natural source for nutritional supplements, offering benefits for bone, skin, hair, and nail health.
Pros
- Natural and sustainable source of silica
- Potentially good bioavailability depending on the specific algae type and processing
- May contain other beneficial nutrients from the algae
Cons
- Bioavailability can vary significantly between different species of algae and extraction methods
- Research on specific algae-derived silicon for human health is less extensive than ch-OSA
Per product
Avg$29.44
Med$29.44
Per serving
Avg$1.34
Med$1.34
Per 1 mg
Avg$0.61
Med$0.61
Price distribution
Living Silica (2) 88
Living Silica is a brand name often associated with specific, highly bioavailable forms of organic silicon, such as monomethylsilanetriol (MMST). These forms are engineered to be easily absorbed and utilized by the body, offering superior cellular penetration compared to inorganic silica. It is promoted for its efficacy in supporting collagen and elastin production, which benefits skin, hair, nails, joints, and bone health. The term emphasizes its organic, biologically active nature.
Pros
- High bioavailability and absorption, designed for optimal biological activity
- Often supported by proprietary research demonstrating efficacy
Cons
- Typically more expensive due to proprietary formulations and advanced processing
- May have less independent, peer-reviewed research specifically under the 'Living Silica' brand compared to ch-OSA, though underlying forms like MMST are well-regarded
Per product
Avg$17.49
Med$17.49
Per serving
Avg$0.41
Med$0.41
Per 1 mg
Avg$0.10
Med$0.10
Price distribution
organic Bamboo extract (1) 70
Bamboo extract, typically derived from the leaves and stems of bamboo plants (e.g., *Bambusa vulgaris*), is an exceptional natural source of silica, often containing a higher percentage of elemental silicon (up to 70-75% silica by weight) compared to other plant sources. It is prized for its ability to support collagen synthesis and strengthen connective tissues, making it beneficial for skin elasticity, hair growth, and nail integrity.
Pros
- Very high natural silica content (often highest among plant sources)
- Plant-based source
- Traditionally used for beauty and health
Cons
- Bioavailability can vary depending on the extract's standardization and processing
- Less extensive human clinical trial data compared to ch-OSA specifically for its silicon benefits
Per product
Avg$25.89
Med$25.89
Per serving
Avg$0.86
Med$0.86
Per 10 mg
Avg$0.43
Med$0.43
Price distribution