JOHN APPLETON

How many of us have wondered if there is anything we can do for brittle nails, thinning of hair, strengthening of our bones, premature ageing of the skin and to support healthy cognitive function?

Most of us may have never considered that a simple chemical element known as silicon could have so many potentially health inducing properties. Silicon is one of the 97 building blocks that form our minerals and it’s also the second most abundant chemical element found in the earth’s crust.

In human health, orthosilicic acid is the most bioavailable form absorbed by humans (commonly called silica) and it’s vital for the health of many tissues particularly connective tissue. The highest body levels are found in bones, tendons, liver and kidney, the aorta and the skin.

Deficiencies of silica can manifest as thinning of the hair, increasing brittleness of nails, the formation of wrinkles and premature drying and ageing of the skin. Silica is vital for hair health, for improving hair growth as well as the lustre and shine of hair, making it thick and healthy. Silica can also strengthen nails, preventing brittleness and infections.

For me, the most exciting thing about silicon is its role in assisting with the removal of toxins and heavy metals from the body, and in particular aluminium. Silica has been shown to prevent the absorption of aluminium in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as binding to it and excreting it via urine or sweat. There is a unique affinity between aluminium and silica where silica mediates its bioavailability. If we are deficient in silica this increases the bioavailability of aluminium and its toxicity.

Aluminium is known to be particularly toxic to the brain and it can be a significant risk factor in the development of cognitive impairment. Christopher Exley a professor of Bioinorganic Chemistry at Keele University in the U.K. looked at the brain tissue of 12 people who had died from an inherited form of Alzheimer’s which can affect people in their 30’s and 40’s. He found high levels of aluminium in every brain tested. A 2016 study of 10,567 individuals found that those with chronic aluminium exposure had a 71% increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. A study of over 7,000 women in France concluded that low levels of silica increased the risk of cognitive impairment.

Prof Exley demonstrated that drinking a litre of water with a high silica content every day significantly increased the excretion of aluminium in the urine and if consumed prior to exercise, a lot of aluminium was also excreted in sweat.

The water that was used in Prof Exley’s research is known as ‘Volvic’ water which is reported to have a silica content of 20 mgs per litre. Given that cognitive impairment is such a massive problem in New Zealand and around the world it makes a lot of sense to me to embrace simple interventions that may be helpful.

We are fortunate in New Zealand to have a superb source of water that has a very high silica content. It’s known as ‘Water in a Box’ and it has 93.4 mgs of silica per litre. It comes from a deep aquifer in Whakatane and they say on the box that it’s been stored underground for up to 1800 years. I have been drinking this water for years and I really love it. It’s all I drink.

We are exposed to aluminium in many ways, including cooking utensils, antacid medications, deodorants and in New Zealand our town water supply has aluminium sulphate added to it. It makes a lot of sense to limit our exposure to aluminium and drinking a very pure water with a high silica content that can also help to remove existing aluminium, is something we can all do.

Have I noticed any benefits? I can definitely say that my nails have clearly appreciated the regular intake of silica. I would describe them as bulletproof. ‘Water in a Box’ is available from IE Produce in Takapuna. (JOHN APPLETON)  PN

E: john@johnappleton.co.nz www.johnappleton.co.nz

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Lustre Beauty Studio

Lustre Beauty is a new name and signifies an exciting change for what was once Nails On Richmond.

Owner Vicky tells us, “Our luxurious and spacious new location means that we are now able to offer more advanced treatments from our new skin specialist, whilst still catering to all of your beauty, nail, and massage needs.

“With our experienced and knowledgeable staff, you will know you are in good hands throughout all your treatments. We have specials on until 1 December, so come in for a visit to 1st floor, 483 Richmond Road for an experience like no other.”

LUSTRE BEAUTY, 1/483 Richmond Road, T: 09 360 1950, www.lustrebeauty.co.nz

RELAUNCH SPECIALS RUNNING UNTIL 1 DECEMBER Nails On Richmond has relocated and rebranded to Lustre Beauty at Level 1, 483 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, T: 09 360 1950

We still offer all your favourite services, but we’ve also added some new and exciting advanced skin treatments into our menu.

We stock the following brands: Mesoestetic, Environ, Pure Fiji, Medik8, Jane Iredale & LiLash.

Gift Vouchers available.

COME VISIT US AND CHECK OUT OUR CURRENT LAUNCH SPECIALS:

- FREE Consultation with our new Skin Specialist - Healite II Facial - $50

- Laser Hair Removal for Underarms - $29

- Pure Fiji Tropical Pedicure with OPI polish - $59 - Pure Fiji Head & Shoulder massage (30 minutes) - $39