357 Diatomaceous Earth [15 Feb 2016]

Diatomaceous earth is a white powder composed of the microscopic shells of one-celled marine organisms called diatoms. I have long known of diatomaceous earth for its use as a natural insecticide in gardening, and as an anti-parasitic in animals and people. I just learned that it is also a good economical source of silica.

I first wrote about the importance of silica in our diets and as a supplement in April 2013 [#212], and about its role in collagen in skin, hair, nails and bone health in August 2014 [#280].

Here are the experiences of some people who started using diatomaceous earth:
• increased joint mobility and big-time pain relief
• faster healing of joint injuries
• stronger bones, hair and nails
• soft and elastic skin, complexion improved, acne relief
• soft and stronger hair, even growing in bald spots
• fingernails grow faster and stronger
• improved immune system, reduced allergies, recovery from spider bite
• relief from chronic sinus congestion
• improved digestion, relief from bloating
• passing intestinal parasites, controlling candida yeast infection
• relief from migraine headaches, vertigo and tinnitus
• cholesterol levels normalized
• high blood pressure reduced
• normalized menstrual cycles; relief from menopausal symptoms
• increased energy levels, better focus, improved memory

Health Canada has approved food grade diatomaceous earth as a supplement for up to 3/4 teaspoon per day. Most of the people mentioned above who have experienced benefits from diatomaceous earth have been using 1 to 3 tablespoons a day, stirred in a glass of water, with no ill effect. Diatomaceous earth is also available in capsule form.

Obviously I can’t guarantee all or any of the above results, as everyone is different. Try it yourself and see what amount works best for you. Then if someone tells you to “Eat dirt” you can smile and tell them “Thank you, I do”.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

280 Collagen – Healthy Skin, Hair, Nails & Bone [11 August 2014]

The key to healthy skin, hair, nails and bone is collagen. Collagen is a strong flexible protein that acts as the main structural component of connective tissue. We need a lot of it to maintain optimum health: it makes up 70% of our skin and 30% of our bones. But collagen production slows as we age, beginning at age 21.

Collagen and another protein, elastin, give skin its elasticity and a firm smooth appearance. As we age and produce less collagen and elastin, the skin thins and develops wrinkles, giving us our “mature” look.

Our hair and nails are made of another protein called keratin. Keratin production also slows as we age so our hair grows thinner and weaker and our nails become brittle.

As you know, bones are made of calcium and some other minerals, and bone mineral density is a measure of its strength. But it is collagen strands within the bone that the minerals are bound to. As we age there is less collagen and the bones become thinner and less flexible no matter how much calcium we consume.

What can we do to increase collagen? When we eat collagen-containing foods and supplements they are broken down in digestion into the required amino acids but don’t guarantee that they will be used to produce collagen. Fortunately a particular silica compound called choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA) has been found to stimulate our body’s production of collagen.

Clinical studies have shown that ch-OSA supplements will:
- increase skin collagen and elastin, improving elasticity and reducing wrinkles
- increase hair thickness and body
- increase nail strength and break-resistance
- increase healthy joint cartilage
- increase bone mineral density, strength and flexibility

The compound ch-OSA is available in Canada as BioSil in both liquid and capsule form.

I wrote about the health and beauty benefits of Silica in April 2013.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

212 Silica – the Health and Beauty Mineral [15 April 2013]

Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust after oxygen. It commonly occurs as silicon-dioxide, also called silica. Silicon is a useful mineral to man. Glass is about 75% silica. Silicon’s semi-conductor property created the electronics revolution. And it’s a component of silicone rubber, famous for its flexibility and heat resistance.

But silica’s most important use to man is as a nutrient.. Silica promotes the synthesis of the proteins collagen (Type 1) and elastin. Collagen is an abundant protein in mammals, making up the majority of connective tissue like cartilage, tendons, ligaments, gums and skin. Elastin is a stretchy protein, important for healthy skin, lungs and arteries (especially the aorta). Silica also promotes stronger thicker hair, stronger nails, and stronger bones. Although silica only makes up a tiny proportion of bone, it’s important for promoting re-calcification of bone and speeding healing of fractures. As we age the silica content of our tissues decreases, especially for post-menopausal women.

Clinical trial results have shown that a silica supplement:
• increased hair diameter by 12.8%
• increased hair strength by 13.1%
• reduced facial wrinkles by 30%
• increased skin elasticity by 89%
• strengthened nails making them more resistant to breaking
• increased collagen formation and mineral density in bones.

Although silica is abundant in the earth, it is less common in our food. Silica is abundant only in grass-related foods such as the bran or hulls of oats, wheat and rice, which is almost entirely eliminated from our foods by processing. There are several different silica supplements formulated to provide this nutrient in an easily absorbable form for your body to use:
• aqueous extracts of horsetail or oatstraw – orthosilicic form of silica
• silica gel – a colloidal solution from quartz crystals
• silicon as orthosilicic acid – probably the most effective form

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner