Made from 100% natural Icelandic geothermal silica
Millions of people have bathed in the mineral rich geothermal waters of Iceland for the beneficial effects of the water’s silica on the health and beauty of skin. Now an Icelandic start-up company aims to bottle it for consumption as a supplement for an even wider range of benefits. GeoSilica Iceland is an Icelandic start-up company specialising in the production of novel silica healthcare products produced directly from the silica rich geothermal waste water of geothermal power plants in Iceland.
The supplement, in the form of very pure colloidal silica of natural geothermal origin, is produced by concentrating the silica in the geothermal water of the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, and then purifying it by removing everything but the silica from the water using sophisticated techniques. The colloidal silica in the supplement is a source of the element silicon, which is often called the “forgotten nutrient” on the basis of how little people are aware of how essential it is for the body.
The importance of silicon for our health
In 1970, a research done by Edith M. Carlisle, PhD, showed that it is an essential mineral for bone formation and bone mineralisation, independent of vitamin D. Her research was confirmed by several other scientists shortly after. Since 2002, there has been steadily increasing research regarding the role of silicon in a variety of tissue including bone. It is now a known fact that silicon plays a vital role in the formation of collagen, the major constituent of connective tissue, and furthermore, that silicon acts as a cross-linking agent, forming chemical bonds between collagen and the major macro molecules of connective tissue, thus making connective tissue stronger and healthier.
Bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, skin, and blood vessels are examples of tissues consisting largely of, and supported by connective tissue. It is thus not surprising that silicon is essential for strong bones, strong and elastic blood vessels, and healthy and beautiful skin. Silicon supplementation has also been shown to make hair stronger, nails less brittle, and even to lower the frequency of sport injuries. Much of the recent research on silicon is focused on silicon supplementation as a means of treating or preventing osteoporosis, particularly in women. 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 are estimated to have osteoporosis.
Do we get enough silicon from our diet?
For the majority of people in the western world the short answer is “No”. Epidemiological studies report that dietary silicon intake of more than 40 mg/day correlates with increased bone mineral density, but the average dietary intake of silicon is 20-30 mg/day for the typical western world diet. Silicon uptake from diet decreases as we get older, and because of this post-menopausal women average approximately 18 mg per day. The company is currently looking for funds in order to scale up the production and bring the supplement to European and other international markets. GeoSilica strives to be a socially responsible company and intends to improve the society by conducing towards healthier environment, creates new jobs, maximising the utilisation of the geothermal resource in Iceland and contribute to EU sustainable objectives.
Burkni Palsson
CTO
GeoSilica Iceland
Tel: 354 571 3477
