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Germanium & Silicon: Both elements share left / right-sided cell receptors and are considered
essential to human health. Silicon supplements are available in the form of silica (silicon dioxide) from
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horsetail extract, or they can be taken either internally or used externally as a silica gel. Silicon can
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also be obtained by taking clay internally, where some forms of the clay contain more than 60% SiO2.
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Possible side effects from the (internal) use of silica gel include skin rashes or stomach irritations, while
silica from horsetail extract is usually well tolerated, although pustule-like skin changes may develop on
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rare occasions when higher amounts are supplemented. With clay generally having a constipating
effect when used internally, it may benefit those suffering from diarrhea, colitis, and Crohn's disease.
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Silicon (Si) is present in more than one fourth of the earth's crust and is widely distributed in the soil,
plants and water. In the body, silicon is found in highest concentrations in connective tissues such as
collagen, cartilage, the trachea, blood vessels, eyes, tendons, dental enamel, bone, hair and skin -
specifically the epidermis. Silicon-deficient diets resulted in retarded growth, poor bone development,
and more atherosclerotic arterial plaques in animal studies. Silicon has a similar healing potential on
cartilage and joint degeneration as sulfur, so both can be helpful for various types of arthritis.
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Next to Bioflavonoids, silicon (or silica) are helpful in keeping blood vessel walls healthy (the aorta is
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especially rich in silicon), and it has been found that silicon concentrations of the thymus, skin, aorta
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and other arterial vessels decrease with increasing age and with the onset of atherosclerosis, which is
reversible to some extent with oral or intravenous doses of silicon.
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Silica promotes the union of bone after a fracture, in contrast to calcium, which can actually slow
the healing process or interfere with it altogether, especially when calcium levels are on the high side.
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Years ago, Germanium (Ge) used to be readily available around the globe, but it was taken off the
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shelves in many countries after some practitioners, and patients themselves, started using it to treat
cancer, and after reports of kidney damage surfaced from using germanium dioxide (not germanium
lactate / citrate), following its supplementation.
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However, the organo-germanium form, bis-carboxyethyl germanium sesquioxide (Ge-132), developed
by Kazuhiko Asaia of Japan in 1967, is a safe and effective compound that can be used for a variety
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of medical problems ranging from viral infections to cancer, which require improved oxygenation and
immune support. GE-132 is further known to enhance the immune system by stimulating the production
of natural killer cells and lymphokines such as IFN (Y), interferon, macrophages and T-suppressor cells.
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Both, germanium and silicon have somewhat of a blood thinning effect: Germanium, by inhibiting
calcium and increasing phosphorus, - and silicon, by inhibiting magnesium and increasing sodium
retention.
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Individuals who most benefit from extra germanium (provided its levels are below-normal) are those
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who would generally also benefit from the blood-thinning effect of alcohol, but for whatever reason will
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not, or cannot consume any. They include people with either very high VLDL triglyceride levels, low
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protein and/or phosphorus, very high calcium, and/or those suffering from poor peripheral circulation
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due to atherosclerosis.
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Blood thinners, omega 3 EFAs, and alcohol (the only "simple carb" exception) increase germanium
uptake, while all other simple - but not complex carbs - lower its levels, and as mentioned above, there
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is typically an inverse relationship between low germanium, and raised VLDL triglycerides.
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With some variation, the same principle of what applies to germanium also applies to silicon. Blood
thinners and alcohol increase silicon levels, however, instead of an omega 3 EFA / germanium inter-
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action, there is an omega 6 EFA / silicon interaction, where one helps raise the other (and vice versa),
while saturated fats and transfatty acids (but not poly or monounsaturated fats) inhibit silicon. There is
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also an inverse relationship between low silicon levels and raised LDL cholesterol.
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Calcium is the most potent germanium antagonist, with phosphorus being synergistic with germanium,
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while magnesium is the most potent silicon antagonist, with sodium being synergistic with silicon. This
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mutual calcium-germanium and magnesium-silicon antagonism however only takes place at close to
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normal levels. As calcium levels become excessively high, they will increasingly inhibit germanium
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absorption to a point where supplementation of even larger amounts of germanium will no longer result
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in increased levels, neither will germanium be able to lower calcium any longer.
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Likewise, excessive magnesium intake will increasingly inhibit silicon absorption, no matter how much
silicon is supplemented, and at which point silicon will no longer be able to lower magnesium. Only by
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raising sodium or phosphorus levels (and decreasing magnesium and/or calcium intake) is it possible
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to raise germanium or silicon levels again, following the inhibiting action of phosphorus on calcium,
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and/or sodium on magnesium.
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Provided levels match requirements, Leg Ulcers may respond to germanium supplementation when
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used (internally) for left-sided cases, and silica / silicon supplementation for right-sided cases.
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Unless caused by a blood clot, some people find Silica Gel helpful for swollen, burning or painful veins
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when used topically (rubbed into the skin), although other home remedies such as Vicks VapoRub,
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Hand Sanitizer Gels used to kill germs, or - in acute cases - plain Honey may be equally effective. ¤
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Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) is the latest term replacing daily dietary reference values such as
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Adequate Intake (AI), Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), Estimated Average Requirements (EAR),
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Nutrient Reference Value (NRV), and Recommended Dietary Allowance / Intake (RDA / RDI).
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Germanium: Silicon / Silica:
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DRI (RDA):noneDRI (RDA):none
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18 years + (suggested)0.5mg - 1mg18 years + (suggested)5mg - 20mg
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Estimated daily intake of germanium: 1mg - 2mg,Estimated daily intake of silicon: 20mg - 50mg
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Therapeutic Range:25mg - 1,000mg+Therapeutic Range:10mg - 300mg+
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In the form of horsetail:500mg - 6,000mg
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______________________________________________________________________________
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Cellular / Intracellular Attributes and Interactions:
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Germanium Synergists:Silicon Synergists:
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Phosphorus, iron, manganese, Vit C, niacinamide,Sodium, manganese, iron, Vitamin E, Vit B1,
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niacin, omega 3 essential fatty acids (EFAs), alcohol,choline, omega 6 essential fatty acids,
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Germanium Antagonists / Inhibitors:Silicon Antagonists / Inhibitors:
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Calcium, zinc, copper, pantothenic acid (Vit B5),Magnesium, potassium, chromium, Vitamin B2,
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all simple carbs / sugar (except alcohol),Vit B5, Vit B6, saturated fats, transfatty acids,
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Low Levels / Deficiency - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
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Germanium:Silicon / Silica:
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Cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis,higherCartilage / joint degeneration, osteoporosis,
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risk for several cancers, osteoporosis, arthritis,dry / brittle nails and hair, headaches, cardio-
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weakened immune system,decreased oxygen,vascular disease, vascular degeneration,
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High levels / Overdose / Toxicity / Negative Side Effects - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
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Germanium (as Germanium Oxide):Silicon / Silica:
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Bruising, kidney damage, liver damage, skin rash,Bruising, stomach irritations (silica gel), skin
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neurotoxicity,rashes / irritations. - By Inhalation: silicosis.
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______________________________________________________________________________
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Germanium Sources:Silicon / Silica Sources:
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Ginseng, garlic, aloe vera, sushi, comfrey, chlorella,Whole grains, onions, lettuce, root vegetables,
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watercress, waternut, boxthorn, shiitake mushroom,horsetail, nettle, comfrey, beer, well water. ¤
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==============================================================================
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General recommendations for nutritional supplementation: To avoid stomach problems and promote
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better tolerance, supplements should always be taken earlier, or in the middle of a larger meal. When
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taken on an empty stomach or after a meal, there is a greater risk of some tablets causing irritation, or
eventually erosion of the esophageal sphincter, resulting in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
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It is also advisable not to lie down immediately after taking any pills.
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When taking a very large daily amount of a single nutrient, it is better to split it up into smaller doses to
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not interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in food, or nutrients supplemented at lower amounts.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 Ronald RothAcu-Cell Nutrition: Silica / Silicon & Germanium
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