Health Effects of Orthosilicic Acid

Abstract

It is the aim of this work to summarize the current state of the art and provide a broader view of the most significant sources of biologically utilized silicates – orthosilicic acid. Orthosilicic acid (H₄SiO₄) plays an important role in the prevention and therapy of osteoporosis and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer disease. In addition, it plays a major role in the immune system during the renewal of collagen and elastin fibres. It is actively involved in the prevention of atherosclerosis, a process directing an array of clinically relevant diseases (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, ischemic heart disease, ischemic brain disease, and/or ischemic disease of lower limbs). It seems that mineral waters could be an important source of silicon or orthosilicic acid. Thus, the spectre of the use of mineral waters in balneotherapy should be broader. However, further investigations of the levels of orthosilicic acid in various mineral waters and their therapeutic uses are necessary.