Silicon makes up 25% of the earth’s crust, by weight, making it the second most abundant element (exceeded by oxygen). Silicon is also one of the most widely used elements.
Silicon is important to plant and animal life. Silicon is found in plant ashes and in the human skeleton. Plants absorb Silicon as monosilicic acid from the soil and convert it into polymerized silicon for mechanical and structural support. Silicon in food is solubilized by stomach acid into monosilicic acid, which absorbs directly through the stomach wall and the intestine into the blood.
Silicon is an essential nutrient for the structural integrity and development of the bones, connective tissue, hair, nails and skin.
