Silicon and bones: what the research shows

Scientific reviewer of the Ukrainian source: Andrii Mokiienko, Doctor of Medical Sciences

Bones age quietly. Changes in your skin, hair or nails show up in the mirror. Bones, however, can weaken unnoticed for a long time. Sometimes this only comes to light after a medical examination or a fracture.

Yet the skeleton does not stand still once you stop growing. Bone tissue renews itself throughout life: old bone is broken down, and new bone forms in its place [1].

Talk about strong bones, and most people will say “calcium”. But the minerals in bone rest on a collagen framework [1]. And it is in relation to this framework that scientists study silicon, or more precisely its soluble form, orthosilicic acid (OSA) [2, 3].

The essentials in 30 seconds

Where does collagen come in? The organic matrix of bone is made mostly of collagen. Collagen forms its flexible framework, while calcium and phosphorus give it hardness [1]. That is why silicon is studied in relation to collagen formation in bone [2].

What did the studies show? In the laboratory, orthosilicic acid increased the formation of type I collagen in human cells similar to those that build bone [2]. In a clinical study, women with low bone density took calcium and vitamin D for a year. Some of them also took choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid at 3, 6 or 12 mg of silicon a day. After a year, a marker of type I collagen formation was higher in the 6 mg and 12 mg groups than in the group taking calcium and vitamin D alone [3].

Which silicon was studied? Orthosilicic acid, a soluble form of silicon [2, 3]. In supplements, silicon comes in different chemical forms, though labels often just say “silica”. We explain how the forms differ in “Forms of silicon in supplements”.

Who this article is for

• anyone who wants to understand what bone is made of besides calcium;
• people who already take collagen and want a clearer picture of how bone is built;
• women in perimenopause and after menopause;
• men and women whose close relatives have had osteoporosis or fractures after a minor injury;
• people whose bone density scan showed reduced bone mineral density and who want to be better prepared for a conversation with their doctor;
• people who take glucocorticoids long term or have other risk factors for bone loss [4, 5];
• active people, including those who run, train with weights, go to fitness classes or play contact sports.

Bones renew themselves throughout life

Bone tissue keeps changing after you stop growing. Some cells, the osteoclasts, clear away old or damaged tissue. Others, the osteoblasts, lay down new tissue. This continuous cycle is called bone remodelling [1].

What changes with age

When we are young, the body builds bone faster than it loses it. Bone mass usually peaks in the late teens or early twenties. In adulthood, the two processes stay roughly in balance for a while. With age, the body may lose bone faster than it can rebuild it [1].

In women, bone loss often speeds up in the years before and after menopause. In men, the changes usually happen more slowly. Much depends on hormones, diet, physical activity, overall health and medication [4–6].

Why silicon is studied in relation to collagen

If bone were made of minerals alone, it would be hard but brittle. Its organic matrix consists mostly of collagen, and it is collagen that forms the flexible framework of bone. Calcium and phosphorus give it hardness [1].

When osteoblasts build new bone, they first lay down a collagen framework. The minerals are then deposited onto it [1].

Silicon caught scientists’ attention as early as 1970. In young animal bone, it was found precisely where the bone was actively mineralising [7].

In a laboratory study (in vitro), orthosilicic acid increased type I collagen formation by a factor of 1.45 to 1.8, depending on the cell type. It was tested at concentrations found in human blood. These were human cells similar to those that build bone [2].

When the enzyme that strengthens the collagen helix was blocked, the effect disappeared [2]. This is the same enzyme that requires vitamin C [8].

We cover how silicon is studied in relation to skin collagen in “Silicon and skin, hair and nails: what the research shows”.

Silicon and bones: what the studies showed

The cells that clear away old bone

In 2024, orthosilicic acid was tested on human cells in the laboratory (in vitro). It inhibited the formation of osteoclasts, the cells that break down old bone tissue. On bone slices, these cells left fewer areas of resorption, and fewer collagen fragments were released into the culture medium [9].

So silicon is being studied on both fronts: how new bone tissue forms and how old tissue is broken down.

Dietary silicon and bone density

The observational Framingham Offspring study compared the diets and bone mineral density of 2,847 adults aged 30 to 87. Among men and premenopausal women, those who got more silicon from food had higher hip bone density. Within these groups, people who consumed more than 40 mg of silicon a day were compared with those who consumed less than 14 mg. The difference in bone density between them was as much as 10%. No such association was found in postmenopausal women [10].

A clinical study: one year alongside calcium and vitamin D

In a randomised study, women with reduced bone mineral density in the spine took 1,000 mg of calcium and 20 µg of vitamin D3 every day for a year. Some of them also took choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid: 3, 6 or 12 mg of silicon a day. The control group received calcium and vitamin D only. A total of 136 women completed the study [3].

After 12 months, PINP, a marker of type I collagen formation, was significantly higher in the 6 mg and 12 mg groups than in the control group. Spinal bone mineral density did not change significantly over the year [3].

What harms bones

Some habits and circumstances weaken bones or raise the risk of fractures. The most common are:

• smoking;
• heavy drinking;
• too little physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle;
• very low body weight, strict diets, too few calories and too little protein;
• too little calcium and vitamin D in the diet;
• long-term use of certain medicines, glucocorticoids in particular;
• family history and previous fractures [4–6].

Family history and past fractures cannot be changed, but most of the other factors can be influenced.

What to eat for strong bones

• Calcium: dairy products, hard cheeses, sardines with the bones in, cabbage and other greens, tofu.
• Vitamin D: oily fish, eggs. The body also makes its own, in skin exposed to sunlight [1].
• Protein: meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes [5].

Vitamins, minerals and protein for bones

What is known about vitamins, minerals and protein in relation to bones:

• Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones.
• Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
• Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
• Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
• Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
• Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
• Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.

A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important for health.

Which of these are in our SILINEXT products

In each PRO COLLAGEN MATRIX sachet, we have combined collagen peptides, vitamin C, zinc and manganese. The daily dose also contains OAOSA (stabilised silicic acid), sodium hyaluronate, copper and biotin.

PRO COLLAGEN ACTIVATOR comes in vegan capsules containing the same OAOSA and vitamin C.

We explain how they differ and how to choose between them in “Bioavailable silicon”.

Bones love movement, but not exhaustion

Bone tissue responds to load. Walking, running and strength training signal the skeleton to stay strong [11].

For people with osteoporosis, specialists recommend three types of exercise [11]:

• strength exercises (with body weight, dumbbells or resistance bands) and impact exercises such as brisk walking, running or jumping: these strengthen bones;
• strength and balance exercises: to help prevent falls;
• back extension exercises: for posture.

If you have already had a vertebral fracture or several fractures from minor injuries, impact exercise is usually kept to the level of brisk walking. People with osteoporosis are better off avoiding deep forward bends [11].

But more is not always better. When training is heavy and energy from food is low, bone health can deteriorate in both women and men [12].

If your bone density is low or you have had fractures, it is best to plan your training together with a doctor or physiotherapist.

When to consult a doctor

• a bone density scan has shown reduced bone density;
• you have already had a fracture after a minor fall or knock;
• close relatives have had osteoporosis or a hip fracture;
• you have long been taking glucocorticoids or other medicines that affect bone;
• you have developed severe back pain, lost height or noticed clear changes in your posture.

In these cases, see a doctor first: they can help assess your risk of fractures and decide whether you need tests or treatment [4, 6].

Frequently asked questions

Does silicon strengthen bones? Scientists are studying how silicon is linked to the formation of the collagen matrix of bone [2, 3]. In a clinical study, in two of the three groups taking stabilised orthosilicic acid, a marker of type I collagen formation was higher than in the control group [3]. Spinal bone density, however, did not change significantly [3]. Silicon does not treat osteoporosis: if your bone density is low, your doctor will decide on tests and treatment.

Does silicon replace calcium or vitamin D? No. Calcium and phosphorus form the mineral part of bone [1], while silicon is studied in relation to bone’s collagen framework [2, 3]. So if your doctor has recommended calcium and vitamin D, do not replace them with silicon.

At what age should I start taking care of my bones? There is no single right age: bones deserve care throughout life. You and your doctor can decide when to have a bone density scan, based on your personal risk factors. They are listed above, under “What harms bones”. We look at who silicon may be relevant for in “Who needs silicon?”.

Can I take silicon together with bone medication? If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and take prescribed medicines, check with your doctor before taking silicon. Some medicines, including bisphosphonate tablets such as alendronate, come with strict rules on how to take them. Other supplements can interact with them, so it is important to space them out correctly [13].

How long can I take silicon? No standard duration for taking silicon has been established. In the clinical study described above, women took choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid for a year [3]. The kidneys excrete absorbed silicon in the urine [14]. In 2018, European food safety experts assessed vanillin-stabilised orthosilicic acid for use in supplements. They found no risks for adults at the proposed amount, which provides 10–18 mg of silicon a day [15].

If you plan to take silicon for a long time, have kidney problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medication, consult your doctor. And do not exceed the recommended daily serving.

Authorship and scientific review

Author: BIOMOLECULA™ scientific editorial team (based on peer-reviewed scientific sources). Scientific reviewer of the Ukrainian source: Andrii Viktorovych Mokiienko, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Senior Researcher, Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health and Physical Education at the National University of Ostroh Academy; author of the monograph “Кремний в воде. Гигиенические и медико-биологические аспекты” (2020) and co-author of the monograph “Кремній у воді: гігієнічні та медико-біологічні аспекти” (2026). Both titles translate as Silicon in Water: Hygienic and Biomedical Aspects. Review date: 21 August 2026. Publication date: 1 September 2026. Updated: 28 October 2026. Last scientific review: 21 August 2026. These dates refer to the Ukrainian source article.

References

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Disclaimer

This article is for educational and informational purposes only. A food supplement is not a medicinal product and is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. The collagen in SILINEXT PRO COLLAGEN MATRIX comes from fish, so this product is not suitable for people with a fish allergy. Consult a doctor before use.