Untitled Document
The Food and Drug Administration considers silica as a safe substance. It is a natural substance found in the earth’s crust as well as in plant life, water and in animals. Silica is found in some vegetables, beer, grains etc. There are a lot of health benefits of silica as we have seen earlier. However, excess of anything can be harmful. So, there may also be some side effects associated with excessive intake of silica. The typical dose for silica when utilized as a supplement is recommended to be 10 to 30 milligrams per day.
Below we will talk about some of the possible side effects cause by silica when taken in excess or when taken in normal amount but for longer period of time.
Vitamin Deficiency Can be a Side Effect of Silica:
Silica supplement contain Thiaminese enzyme which destroys vitamin B1 in the body and thus leads to vitamin deficiency which is known to be associated with loss of muscle control and also paralysis if not treated well.
There may be Kidney Deterioration:
Taking silicon containing antacids for a long time can result in side effects like kidney stone formation. As per The University of Maryland medical Center, there may be kidney damage and general kidney deterioration with long term use of silica.
Polyuria:
Consuming excess of silica, with plenty of water may cause excessive urination. Take 8 glasses of water in a day and do not over hydrate and end up losing potassium out of your body.
Silica Can Lower Blood Sugar:
Silica can also have one more side effect and that is, it can lower your blood sugar levels which can particularly be dangerous, especially if you have diabetes. If you are diabetic, talk to your doctor before taking silica and know about the safe dosage and form. Make a note, not to use silica if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so as to reduce any potential risks to your baby.
Side Effects Due to Interaction:
It must be informed that silica supplements can enhance some medication reaction and thus it is important for you to tell your doctor about any medications you take before using silica supplements.
Moreover it must be noted that silica acts as a diuretic and thus you should not take it if you are taking water pills. Combining silica with other diuretics may lead to dehydration and seriously low levels of potassium in the body.
Taking silica with chromium supplements or herb containing chromium like brewer’s yeast, can increase the risk of chromium poisoning. *