Silica, in Latin Silicondioxide, silica is silicon dioxide. What is such a connection? These are solid crystals, colorless, odorless, they are quite hard, durable, ductile and refractory. In nature, this is the most common quartz, tiny transparent grains of sand that are formed during the oxidation of silicon (Si).
SiO₂ is the molecular (chemical) formula of silicon dioxide.
Chemical properties
Silicon dioxide, what is it? According to Wikipedia, tetravalent silicon oxide is a component of almost all rocks. This chemical compound appears as colorless crystals with a fairly high melting point. Silicon Dioxide Formula: SiO2. The chemical formula of silica is the same as that of Silicon Dioxide. Melting point is about 1600 degrees Celsius.
The substance belongs to the group of acidic oxides, is a dielectric, and has several polymorphic modifications of crystals. Under the influence of high temperatures and pressure, the substance turns into coesite and stishovite, has various modifications and forms, quartz, opal, authigenic quartz, chalcedony; amorphous Silicon dioxide is quartz glass.
Applications of Silica
Due to the variety of forms, the substance is used in various fields. The mineral is used in the production of glass, abrasives, concrete and ceramic products; as a filler during rubber production to produce silicon; in the production of refractory materials; in chromatography. Quartz crystals are used for the production of lighters, ultrasonic devices, and in radio engineering. Some algae contribute to the accumulation of silica in the biosphere and perform a biochemical function. The compound is also used as an emulsifier in the food industry (E551) and added to toothpaste. Used as an insulator in the production of fiber-optic cables, used as a heating element in electronic cigarettes; in jewelry and so on. The use of Silicon Dioxide in medicine is widespread as an excipient, food additive or in the form of an enterosorbent.
Silicon dioxide: harm and benefit
The substance cannot cause any particular harm to the body, since upon penetration into the gastrointestinal tract it is not absorbed through the walls of the stomach and is excreted unchanged. The food additive E 551 is present in many food products, sugar, milk powder and warblers, chips, crackers, alcoholic beverages and confectionery products. With the correct use of medications, there is also no harm from colloidal silicon dioxide.
Silicon dioxide - what is it
Silica, Silicon dioxide, silica - all these definitions are equal to the term silicon dioxide . This compound consists of colorless crystals with increased strength, hardness and ductility. It is found widely in nature: crystalline modifications are represented by the minerals jasper, agate, rock crystal, pure quartz, chalcedony, amethyst, morion, and topaz.
At natural ambient temperatures and normal atmospheric pressure, three modifications of silicon monoxide are distinguished: tridymite (sand), quartz crystals and cristobalite. If the temperature is increased, the crystalline substance will become coesite and then stishovite. The latter is a derivative substance that makes up the Earth's mantle and its crust. On our planet, higher oxide occupies 87% of the entire lithosphere; in human blood plasma its concentration is 0.001%.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Silica has a fairly high absorption capacity. The substance binds and removes from the body various enzymes, antibodies , antigens , toxins , tissue decay products, microorganisms and food allergens . The substance is actively used to evacuate certain medications, water and poisons. After penetration into the digestive tract, the drug is not subject to systemic absorption and does not accumulate in the body.
When used topically, the substance prevents necrotic changes in tissue and promotes wound healing.
conclusions
E551 is a mass-produced connection that is widely used in the industry. Its properties make it possible to make many products safer and of higher quality, and also improve the structure and shelf life. E551 is not dangerous for the body, which has been proven by many studies. Moreover, Silicondioxide has a number of positive properties, due to which it can be used as an additive. It cleanses blood vessels and has a rejuvenating effect with constant use. In cosmetology and the medical field, the substance not only improves the structure of ointments, gels and other products, but also enhances their effect. This is especially true for disinfecting and healing properties.
The substance has received some criticism, but without any proven justification. There is currently no evidence that Silicondioxide is capable of causing cancer or binding to other compounds in the body, leading to negative effects. Therefore, given the mass nature, it is almost impossible to avoid its entry into the body.
Indications for use
Colloidal silicon dioxide is used in medicine:
- for intestinal infections, food toxic infections , allergies ;
- with exogenous and endogenous intoxication ;
- as part of the complex treatment of acute poisoning;
- with alcohol withdrawal ;
- in the treatment of purulent-inflammatory diseases of soft tissues, abscesses, purulent wounds, phlegmon , mastitis .
What foods does it contain?
To fill your body with enough silicon, you need to know exactly which foods contain silicon. Below is a table of food products containing this chemical element.
| The product's name | Kinds |
| Cereals | Oatmeal, corn, brown rice, millet, barley and wheat bran. A two-hundred-gram serving of porridge contains approximately the daily requirement of the element. |
| Animal oils | Butter, lard, margarine, as well as pork, lamb and beef fat. |
| Vegetable oil | Made from soy, cedar, flax, sesame, pumpkin, olives, mustard, almonds and peanuts. |
| Seafood and meat products | Seaweed, seaweed, beef, chicken. |
| Vegetables | Soybeans, cabbage (white cabbage only), tomatoes, onions, green beans, peppers, celery, beans, carrots, beets, rhubarb, cucumber, radishes, spinach and potatoes. |
| Dairy products | Kefir, sour milk. |
| Fish products | Chinook salmon, flounder and halibut. |
| Fresh berries and fruits | Plum, apricot, strawberry, banana, apple, cherry. |
| Natural juice | Squeezed from cranberries, grapes and pears. A two-hundred-gram glass of juice contains approximately twenty-four percent silicon. |
| Dried fruits | Dried grapes, dates and figs. |
| Nut kernels | Pistachios, sunflower seeds, walnuts, hazelnuts. The greatest amount of silicon is found in hazelnuts and walnuts. The least amount is found in pistachios. |
Now you know what you need to eat to get silicon into your body. The highest amounts of silicon are found in foods such as buckwheat (120 mg), soybeans (170 mg), barley (600 mg), millet (754 mg), oatmeal (1000 mg) and brown rice (1240 mg). The amount of the element was indicated per hundred grams of product.
As you can see, there are a great many sources of silicon for the body. Therefore, in order to fill the body with the missing amount of the substance, consume the foods indicated above - and you will be healthy.
Interaction
The drug, when taken orally, has the ability to reduce the effectiveness of drugs taken orally at the same time. You should maintain a gap of one hour between taking other medications.
When combining Silicon Dioxide preparations with acetylsalicylic acid, platelet disaggregation processes are enhanced .
When taking the drug, nicotinic acid and atoxil cholesterol increases .
When carrying out intracorporeal sorption detoxification , it is recommended to combine the drug with bifuran , furatsilin , chlorhexidine bigluconate .
Receipt
Synthetic silicon dioxide is produced by heating silicon to a temperature of +400...+500 °C in an oxygen atmosphere, while silicon is oxidized to SiO2 dioxide. As well as thermal oxidation at high temperatures.
In laboratory conditions, synthetic silicon dioxide can be obtained by the action of acids, even weak acetic acid, on soluble silicates. For example:
Na2SiO3 + 2CH3COOH → 2CH3COONa + H2SiO3↓
silicic acid immediately breaks down into water and SiO2, which precipitates.
Natural silica in the form of sand is used where high purity of the material is not required.
Reviews
Reviews of drugs based on this product:
- “...I have been using this medicine for a long time. Helps me a lot with allergies and food poisoning”;
- “...At first I took it to cleanse the body and lose excess weight. Now this medicine is always in my medicine cabinet”;
- “... My husband recently got seriously poisoned at work. We started taking this drug and within a day all the symptoms went away”;
- “... This is the second day I’ve been taking it for hives. The spots have already disappeared and the itching has gone away. I decided that I would drink it until the end of the course. Good medicine."
Effect on the human body
The effect of amorphous silicon dioxide on the body cannot be negative - this has been proven by many laboratory studies. Leading food safety experts have confirmed that the use of the substance is not limited and does not cause harm to the body - this applies to any person. Use is permitted in all countries of the world - under the only condition:
The content of the additive should not exceed the norm - this indicator is set at thirty grams per kilogram of product weight.
The benefits of E551 are of course ambiguous; you should not use excessive amounts of the substance! Has silicon dioxide caused any harm to the body? This substance may pose some danger - but only if the following conditions are met:
- We are talking about the sphere of heavy industry;
- You accidentally inhaled silica powder.
It is small particles of powder that can injure mucous membranes and provoke the development of various kinds of diseases.
Cosmetical tools
Dioxide is also used in the cosmetics industry. It is added to toothpastes because it can perfectly whiten teeth. Tooth enamel is not destroyed by its influence. If accidentally swallowed, this product does not entail any consequences.
This substance is added to scrubs, creams, lotions, powders, regardless of the purpose and skin type. Thanks to dioxide, you can remove oily shine, smooth out wrinkles and remove uneven skin. Removal of dead cells and cleansing of the dermis occurs in a minimum period of time.
Benefits of the substance
This product prevents the appearance of lumps in various bulk substances. Moreover, it is able to neutralize the alkaline environment. The dioxide can dissolve in hydrofluoric acid. As a result, a glassy mass is formed. Thanks to this, this substance is quite popular in the food and chemical industries.
The powder does not dissolve in water, but releases ions to the liquid. Because of this, the water becomes pure at the molecular level and has many useful substances. Experts believe that if you drink this water regularly, you can prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease and also extend your life by 10 years.
How do you know that it is included in the product?
Attention! The presence of the E551 additive is indicated by the composition located on the product label.
According to the legislation of the Russian Federation (No. 29-FZ), the manufacturer is required to indicate the additives used in the list of ingredients. The full name, chemical name or serial number with the letter “E” may be given.
On foreign goods this additive is indicated in the following designations:
- Silicon Dioxide – international designation in English.
- E551 – code designation.
- Dioxyde de silizium is the French designation.
- Silizium dioxide is the German name.
Harm of the substance
You may be interested in: The best allergist-immunologist in Moscow: rating, patient reviews
What effect does silicon dioxide have on the body? Scientists have confirmed that the substance passes through the gastrointestinal tract without any significant changes. After this process, it is completely eliminated from the body. French experts note that if you drink water with dioxide, you can reduce the chance of developing a disease such as Alzheimer's by 10%.
Therefore, you should not believe false information that the substance has a bad effect on the body. As a food additive it has code E551. If taken orally, the effect of silicon dioxide is minimal and does not cause any harm.
Medicine
Let's take a closer look at how exactly dioxide is used in medicine and pharmaceuticals. It is used as an enterosorbent. This substance has the appearance of a white or white-blue powder. It has no smell.
As for medicines, colloidal silicon dioxide is used to create preparations for internal and external use. The action of the products is aimed at healing wounds of a purulent nature, phlegmon, mastitis. In addition, the drugs stop processes of a purulent-inflammatory nature.
If the product is in the form of a loose powder, then it can be used as an enterosorbent. This substance is capable of removing toxins from the body, even salts of heavy metals. The additive is often added to a remedy for flatulence. Thanks to it, the emulsion is stabilized and its effect is improved. Due to the fact that dioxide has an absorbent property, it is added to gels and ointments. They can treat mastitis, phlegmon, as well as various purulent diseases. The drug has an antimicrobial effect. It is easy to spread over the skin. Allergies and irritation do not occur. In order to thicken alcohol, glycerin, petroleum jelly and fish oil, it is dioxide that is used.
