By Adrien Baccichetti (biologist) and Kateryna Baccichetti (biochemist).
Silicon for sports. Do you know its role?
Practicing a sport requires a balanced diet and an adequate intake of essential elements for the proper functioning of the body (minerals, vitamins, proteins). Physical effort generates oxidative stress and depletes the body’s reserves of minerals and vitamins. Moreover, certain sports, particularly weightlifting or running, put a significant strain on the joints. Poor regeneration can lead to joint pain, tendinitis, or muscle tears. Since daily needs are higher than normal when engaging in sports, it is advisable to supplement one’s diet with dietary supplements.
Vitamins, calcium, zinc, magnesium, etc. are commonly found in supplements for athletes. However, the role of silicon in muscle recovery and joint and bone protection is still relatively unknown. This is regrettable as it could prevent many injuries that sometimes require months of sport cessation.
I. Action of silicon
1. Joints, tendons, and ligaments.
Silicon enhances the synthesis of collagen and elastin, which form the basic structure of tissues, bones, and joints. Elastin provides flexibility to tendons and increases their resistance to stress. By improving elastin synthesis, silicon reduces the risk of tendinitis. Simultaneously, by inducing collagen synthesis, it provides greater rigidity to tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, enhancing resistance to impacts and stress.
If tendinitis or joint pain is already present, silicon is recommended for general use (orally) and locally for topical application.
2. Bones.
Silicon plays a major role in bone health. It helps bones incorporate essential elements such as calcium, glucosamine, chondroitin, and phosphorus. It increases bone density and strength while reducing the risk of fractures. Its efficacy against osteoporosis has been demonstrated, making it particularly beneficial for athletes whose bones are under high stress from constraints or impacts (weightlifting, running, combat sports, gymnastics, etc.).
3. Muscles.
Silicon acts as a rebalancer of cellular membrane electrical potentials. By enhancing potential differences between the cell and the extracellular environment, it facilitates muscle cells in exchanging substances with the external environment. This aids in eliminating waste products (e.g., lactic acid) and allows rapid entry of necessary substances into the cell during exertion. Silicon also plays a vital role in mitochondrial function, the cell’s energy centers that produce ATP (our energy source), as it is essential for mitochondrial enzyme function.
Thus, silicon provides general tonic action by facilitating the necessary cellular exchanges for muscle function during exertion and enhancing energy production.
4. Cardiovascular system.
As previously explained, silicon promotes collagen and elastin synthesis in tissues. This property is also beneficial for the cardiovascular system, as arterial walls are composed of elastin and collagen. Elastin allows arteries to modulate their diameter. By enhancing wall flexibility, silicon acts as a protector against cardiovascular diseases, particularly arterial blockage from cholesterol. It helps arteries modulate their diameter when blood flow is altered during physical exertion and improves their efficiency.
II. Nettle
In addition to silicon, nettle contains notable amounts of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, as well as vitamins (A, C, E), antioxidants (flavonoids, polyphenols), and essential amino acids (7.5g of proteins per 100g of leaves).
Nettle also contains 3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran, which boosts free testosterone. It is used by some bodybuilders to increase muscle mass. According to a study by Schöttner et al. from the University of Bayreuth in 1997, this molecule binds to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), leading to an increase in free testosterone in the blood.
Ortie Silica, nettle extract rich in silicon and free of preservatives, provides athletes with a natural way to supplement their diet with an essential element for the proper functioning of their bodies during exertion and recovery.