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Silicea; Uses, Dosage, Effects, Interactions

Silicea Gastrointestinal Gel is classified as a Class IIa medical device in Germany due to the fact that it is not absorbed during digestion. 100 mL of the silicon gel contains 3.5 g silicon dioxide (silica). The silicon dioxide is mixed with water to form a gel. Molecules (acids, ions, organic poisons, gas, and bacteria) are adsorbed to this structure. Silicic acid is also extremely hygroscopic; therefore also water molecules bind to the primary hydrophilic adsorption sites. This enables silica gel to have very large surface areas. For example, a surface area of 300 m²/g has been measured, with a particle size of 3.5 to 4.5 μm. A structure with secondary channels as adsorption cavities has been described as a treatment for infectious diarrhea. Relevant binding capacity was found for staphylococcal enterotoxin C1 and bacteria (E. coli), which was comparable to that of activated carbon, and was not affected by acidic pH [#]. Taking into consideration the negative charge of the silicon dioxide particles and predominantly negative charge of the bacteria surfaces, the high binding capacity for bacteria may be explained by flocculating aggregation via bridge-building inorganic cations. The silica gel structure binds water and is not affected in the upper intestinal tract. Furthermore silicic acid could provide local protection to the gastrointestinal mucous membrane. Clinically, a decrease in the duration of diarrhea, stool frequency [#], abdominal pain, distension, nausea, and vomiting have been described [#]. It is currently unknown, however, which gastrointestinal symptoms respond best to silica gel and whether acute or chronic symptoms may be influenced by this treatment.

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Indications of Silicea

Abdomen, distended
Abscess
Acne
Anemia
Ankles, weak
Anus, fissure of, fistula
Appetite, depraved
Back, weakness
Bones, necrosis
Brain, concussion
Brain-fag
Breast, sinuses
Bunion
Cancer
Carbuncle
Cataract
Cellulitis
Cheloid
Coccygodynia
Conjunctivitis, phlyctenular
Constipation
A cough
Diabetes
Enchondroma
Enuresis
Epilepsy
Fractures
Ganglion
Glandular swellings.
A headache, Hernia, Hip-joint disease
Homesickness
Joints, synovitis of
Lachrymal fistula
Meningitis
Metrorrhagia
Necrosis
Neuralgia
Rickets
Sinuses
Somnambulism
Spermatorrhe
Spinal irritation
Strains
Vertigo

Therapeutic Uses of Silicea

Exptl Ther/ Previous in vitro studies showing that bioactive glasses support the growth and maturation of rat osteoblast-like cells and promote the expression and maintenance of the osteoblastic phenotype have suggested that there is both a solution-mediated and a surface-controlled effect on cell activity.
This study investigated the behavior of human primary osteoblast-like cells cultured in contact with three different bioactive glasses and compared them with amorphous silica (SiO2) used in the form of granules.
Osteoblasts synthesize collagen type I, which is subsequently mineralized. Immunoblot and biochemical studies showed increased collagen release from osteoblast-like cells cultured in contact with bioactive glasses over that of controls.
Among the three bioactive glasses, 45S5 is the highest inducer of osteoblast-like cell collagen release; moreover, mRNA for type I collagen was stimulated approximately three- to fivefold after 45S5 treatment. 77S bioactive glass similarly increased type I collagen synthesis even though alkaline phosphatase was not higher.
These results suggest that 45S5 Bioglass not only induces osteogenic differentiation of human primary osteoblast-like cells but can also increase collagen synthesis and release. The newly formulated bioactive gel-glass 77S seems to have potential applications for tissue engineering, inducing increased collagen synthesis.

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Dosing of Silicea

The following doses have been studied in scientific research

For osteoporosis – Eating a diet that includes 40 mg of silicon seems to be linked with stronger bones than lower doses.
1 oz with 680 pellets for 225 doses
Suggested dose is 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made
Adults and children (12 years and older) – Take one to four tablets, one to four times daily, or as recommended by your
Children (6-11 years) – Take one to three tablets, one to four times daily, or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner.
Children (1-5 years) – Take 1/2 to three tablets, one to three times daily, or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner.
Infants (0-11 months) – Take 1/2 to three tablets, one to two times daily, or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner.
For children 0-2 years old, dissolve the tablet in a small amount of water.
Acute Dosing – Follow the above age recommended tablet amounts and take every 15 to 60 minutes (up to 12 times per day) or until symptoms improve, then resume general dosing.