Collagen & Silica: Why They Work Better Together

Move over calcium and vitamin D; we have two new health best friends on the block. Let’s introduce our favourite dynamic duo to the scene – collagen and silica! To truly understand collagen and silica and how silica is the Bonnie to collagen’s Clyde, let’s dive deeper into the research behind these ingredients.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins naturally found in the body and provides strength and stability to connective tissues. It's integral for healthy skin, hair, nails, and bones. When it comes to skin, it is responsible for keeping skin youthful-looking, strong, and highly elastic.

What is Silica?

Silica is a trace mineral found throughout the body, concentrated in connective tissue. It creates bonds between protein molecules which helps the skin retain water; for cell repair and renewal. Therefore, it provides strength, flexibility, and resilience for connective tissues, making it imperative for healthy nails, teeth, hair, and skin. Silica also assists calcium and magnesium metabolism for balanced hormones, strong muscles, and a healthy heart.

A Bond Beyond Skin Deep

While collagen provides the framework for our bones, silica strengthens these bonds and makes them more mobile. Silica is required to build and absorb collagen, helping to glue collagen together. In millennial terms, silica is collagen’s hype girl.

In youth, the body naturally produces higher levels and it reflects in smooth skin and supple joints. But, as we age (from as early as our mid-twenties!), both collagen and its biggest supporter, silica, rapidly decline, which can reduce skin elasticity, strength, and elasticity.

Other Symptoms Include:

• Slow-growing and thin hair
• Wrinkles, fine lines, and aged skin
• Brittle nails

Several factors influence the rate of decline, including microbiome health, diet, stress, inflammation, sleep, and sun exposure. However, if we do our best to look after ourselves and support production, we can mitigate these risks and maintain the quality of skin, hair, nails, bones, and joints.

Improve Bone Health with Collagen and Silica

When it comes to connective tissue and bone health, collagen and silica are valuable.

Both assist new bone formation by stimulating osteoblasts – our bone-building cells. They also inhibit bone breakdown by inhibiting osteoclasts, our bone-resorbing cells, which try to break down bone tissue and release minerals required for strong bones.

One research study indicated that daily silica consumption improved participants’ bone mineral density, with a group who consumed 40mg recording a bone mineral density of 10% higher than participants who consumed 14mg of silica daily. They have their work cut out for them when it comes to bone health, but we believe they’ll rise to the challenge!

Collagen and Silica for Beauty

While collagen is getting a lot of love in the beauty space, let’s not forget to thank silica, too!

Silica stimulates fibroblasts, which secrete collagen type I – found in abundance in youthful skin. Consuming minerals that support collagen synthesis naturally boosts healthy and glowing skin.

Silica is also part of the structure of hair and nails, which is why it's so often paired with collagen in beauty supplements.

Unfortunately, the mineral content in our food isn’t as potent as it used to be. If you’re thinking about a great-quality, all-natural vegan source silica, why not consider trying Alexia Rich Organic Silica and Health Nutrition's Health Nut Collagen Powder? Both are a simple way to support your skin, hair, nails and bones from the inside.

Also in Health