Evidence supporting the use of: Silicic Acid
For the health condition: Fingernails (weak or brittle)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Silicic acid, a compound containing bioavailable silicon, has a history of traditional use for supporting hair, skin, and nail health. The rationale derives from silicon's proposed role in collagen synthesis and connective tissue strength, as silicon is a trace element found in the human body. Traditional herbal medicine often utilizes horsetail (Equisetum arvense), which is rich in silicon, including silicic acid derivatives, for brittle nails. However, scientific validation of silicic acid specifically for improving weak or brittle fingernails is limited. A few small clinical studies and reviews indicate that silicon supplementation (sometimes as orthosilicic acid) may increase nail hardness or reduce nail fragility, but the quality and quantity of these studies are low, with inconsistent results and often lacking control groups. Systematic reviews generally conclude that while silicon is important structurally, the evidence for supplementation, especially in the form of silicic acid, is not robust. Therefore, the use of silicic acid for fingernail health is rooted primarily in traditional practices, supported by some low-quality or preliminary evidence, but lacks strong scientific consensus.
More about Silicic Acid
More about Fingernails (weak or brittle)
Other health conditions supported by Silicic Acid
Broken BonesCartilage Damage
Fingernails (weak or brittle)
Hair (loss or thinning)
Injuries
Osteoporosis
Skin Care (general)
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles