Mineral of the month – silica the strong!

Silica is present in tissues, mainly nails, and connective tissue giving them stability and strength. It is also present is bone, blood vessels, cartilage and tendons. I mainly prescribe silica, often in conjunction with calcium fluoride, to promote strong, healthy nails and hair. It is especially helpful where nails are weak, flaky and have poor growth and hair which is brittle and experiencing unusual loss. It also helps maintain the elasticity of the skin, so together with resveratrol is a key anti-ageing nutrient!

Best dietary sources include oats, whole rice, alfalfa, and the herb Horsetail (Equisetum arvensa). To a lesser degree it is found in lettuce, cucumbers (see pink hummus serving ideas on the next page!) avocados, strawberries and dandelions.