A review of the effects of dietary silicon intake on bone homeostasis and regeneration.
OBJECTIVE
Increasing evidences suggest that dietary Silicon (Si) intake, is positively correlated with bone homeostasis and regeneration, representing a potential and valid support for the prevention and improvement of bone diseases, like osteoporosis. This review, aims to provide the state of art of the studies performed until today, in order to investigate and clarify the beneficial properties and effects of silicates, on bone metabolism.


METHODS
We conducted a systematic literature search up to March 2013, using two medical databases (Pubmed and the Cochrane Library), to review the studies about Si consumption and bone metabolism.


RESULTS
We found 45 articles, but 38 were specifically focused on Si studies.


CONCLUSIONS
RESULTS showed a positive relationship between dietary Si intake and bone regeneration.
Rodella Luigi Fabrizio, Section of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, V.le Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy. Phone +390303717485 Fax +390303717486 e-mail rodella@med.unibs.it.
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Rodella
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Bonazza
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Labanca
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Lonati
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Rezzani
D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D012825:Silicon / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012825:Silicon