I have written extensively about the natural history of silicon-rich mineral waters in my recent book, Imagine You Are an Aluminium Atom, and elsewhere. I will not repeat this information herein. I will explain why silicon-rich mineral waters are the ‘notable exception’ mentioned in my previous post, Detox or Not Detox.
We know that drinking a silicon-rich mineral water facilitates the removal of aluminium from the body in urine. We know that this is the case in Alzheimer's disease, we know that this is the case in individuals with multiple sclerosis and we know that it is also true for healthy young volunteers (see PhD theses of S Davenward and K Jones available through Keele University library). I emphasise such as known since the data were generated in clinical trials, peer-reviewed and published in high esteem scientific journals. All of the data are published and openly available to be confirmed or refuted. Both the Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis studies additionally had positive clinical outcomes. However, both of these trials lasted for just 12 weeks. Opportunities to follow up on these studies were not forthcoming.
So, what do we know.
We know that regular drinking of up to 1L/day of a silicon-rich mineral water facilitates the removal of aluminium from the body in the urine. We have a very good understanding of the science underlying the removal though such has never been proven in humans.
We know that regular drinking of up to 1L/day of a silicon-rich mineral water helps to lower the overall body burden of aluminium though we only have data for a period of just 12 weeks.
We know that to be effective a mineral water must be silicon-rich. We have defined this as any mineral water where the content of silicon is above 30 ppm (expressed as silica) or 14 ppm (expressed as silicic acid). The latter, silicic acid, is the active ingredient. There is no ‘silica’ in silicon-rich mineral waters. We do not know if a silicon-rich mineral water that contains 60 ppm ‘silica’ is more effective in removing aluminium from the body than one containing 30 ppm ‘silica’. Unfortunately we never got the opportunity to carry out such dose experiments. Intuitively one might speculate that higher doses of silicon would be more effective. However, this may not be the case as there may be a threshold concentration dictating the binding of aluminium by silicic acid in the blood and/or tissues.
Silicon-rich mineral waters are notable exceptions and published science suggests that they are natural therapies to counter human exposure to aluminium. Silicic acid is Nature’s way of keeping aluminium out of living things. Some might say a gift from God. I drink one every day. I am both a follower of science and a believer.
Yes, 'silica' but it is a poor source of silicic acid.
I am really enjoying reading your book.
I had no idea that aluminium seems to be in almost everything.
Sometimes it seems like the world is awash with toxins and posions.
Thank you for your efforts and dedication to honest science.