Silica

No evidence from the provided studies that it strengthens hair, skin, or nails. No clinical data supporting bone density improvements. Not proven to detox the body. Its presence on a supplement label usually means it's a filler, not a featured ingredient. Don't pay a premium for it.

• Silica is most often a manufacturing excipient (anti-caking agent), not an active ingredient — products marketing it as a primary health ingredient may be misleading consumers
• Inhaled crystalline silica dust causes silicosis, a serious and irreversible lung disease — this is distinct from food-grade amorphous silica but consumers should be aware of the distinction
• None of the provided clinical studies tested oral silica supplementation for any consumer health benefit — all health claims lack support from this evidence base
• Mesoporous silica nanoparticles studied in research are highly engineered drug-delivery systems, not the same as the silica found in dietary supplements