Silicon is a trace element which plays an important structural role in bones and the proteins of connective tissues, such as elastin, collagen and proteoglycans1. Normally found in the diet, silicon is not always bioavailable but it has been shown that bioavailability improves when silicon is in the form of choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid1. Healthy skin is a manifestation of general health, and can be influenced by the consumption of food ingredients, including silicon oral supplementation. Recent studies have shown the positive effects of these ingredients on the biomechanical properties of the skin as well as on barrier functions2.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral supplementation with choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid using Nutricolin®. The study was conducted in partnership between the pharmaceutical company Galena® and the University of São Paulo in Brazil. The study lasted 90 days, with evaluations at the start and then after 30, 60 and 90 days. The participants were divided into two groups: the normal group, which ingested 400 mg/day of Nutricolin and a second group, who took a placebo. Efficacy was tested by evaluation of the characteristics of the dermis, high resolution image evaluation of the skin and self-perceived efficacy.
Evaluation of the echogenicity of the dermis (Dermascan®) showed increased skin echogenicity in the treatment group when compared to baseline and to the placebo group, showing an improvement in skin condition. The high resolution image evaluation (Visioface®) also showed improvement in the skin of the volunteers in the treatment group with an evident reduction of wrinkles in the forehead region. The evaluation of self-perceived efficacy observed the volunteers in the treatment group perceived a greater improvement in the appearance of their skin, hair and nails when compared to the placebo group.
For this study, it was possible to conclude that the use of choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid showed effects on skin, hair and nails and can therefore be suggested as an effective ingredient for oral supplementation.
Gabriela Favaretto is a technical analyst at Galena Química e Farmacêutica.
References:
Barel A et al. ‘Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on skin, nails and hair in women with photodamaged skin.’ Arch Dermatol Res. 2005 Oct; 297(4): 147-53. Epub 2005 Oct 26.
Favaretto, G., Maia Campos, PMBG. ‘Influence of an Oral Supplementation Based on Orthosilicic Acid Choline-Stabilized on Skin, Hair and Nails: A Clinical Study with Objective Approach.’ Clin Pharmacol Biopharm 2016, 5(3).
