If you're on the hunt for the ultimate beauty enhancing ingredient, you must have heard about the benefits of bamboo or silica. Or maybe, you’ve seen trending products with bamboo in them. If not, that’s okay, you’re about to be enlightened. Bamboo is a plant with one of the highest concentrations of silica on the planet. It’s 10x stronger then horse tail. We’ve put together the most comprehensive list on the amazing benefits of bamboo silica. There’s a reason why this wonder ingredient has been so popular in all things beauty and skin. But the benefits of bamboo silica doesn’t stop at beauty, it also includes wonderful benefits for your body and brain health.

Bamboo Silica Beauty Benefits

Skin

To kick off this extensive list of silica benefits, let’s start with skin since it’s our body’s largest organ. Why is silica-rich bamboo amazing for your skin?

• Increases collagen production.

Without adequate silica, our bodies can not produce collagen.  As you know collagen levels in our bodies decline as we age.....so do our silica stores. Coincidence?  If you're taking powdered collagen for younger skin, be sure to include bamboo silica so you experience the maximum benefits.  Increased collagen production causes a domino effect of benefits, many of them listed below.

• Glowing skin.

Increased collagen makes your skin glow.  Silica is an essential mineral that helps strengthen blood vessels.  The by-product of this is enhanced circulation and blood flow to the skin and scalp.

• Enhanced skin elasticity.

Not only does silica have an essential role in the formation of collagen, but it's also responsible for activity hydroxylation enzymes needed for collagen synthesis which improves you skin's strength and elasticity.  Healthy collagen production can make your skin tighter and firmer.

• Strengthens the skin’s protective barrier.

Your skin’s protective barrier protects it from bacteria and environmental pollutants. Because bamboo silica strengthens your skin’s protective barrier.

• Bamboo Silica Helps Fight Acne.

Acne is often caused by damage to your skin’s protective moisture barrier bamboo silica can help strengthen the skin's barrier making it less susceptible to breakouts and inflammation.  Bamboo leaves also have anti-inflammatory properties which help keep the skin calm.  By protecting skin cells against irritation and inflammation, silica can help manage breakouts caused by toxins and excess sebum.

• Locks in moisture.

Bamboo silica strengthens your skin’s protective barrier by locking in moisture. It supports the synthesis of Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which prevents moisture loss. This means healthy skin that’s both supple and radiant.  Bamboo silica may help to naturally stimulate the formation of hyaluronic acid, which promotes or skin's natural moisture levels.

• Rich in amino acids and flavonoids

These amino acids and flavonoids are packed with antioxidants that provide a multitude of benefits including:

• Protects skin from oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body.  Oxidation in the skin is a major cause of premature aging and wrinkles....no one wants that.  This is why consuming antioxidants are a must!

• Shields skin from damaging UV rays.

Silica has also been shown to protect the skin from harmful UV rays.  In one study, it was determined that women who consumed silica actually reversed some signs of premature aging (from excessive sun exposure). This may have something to do with the fact that silica can enhance your skin’s elasticity, it helps prevent and reduce the appearance wrinkles.

Hair

If the skin benefits of bamboo silica weren't enough, you should also know that it's an amazing hair supplement as well.  It's no surprise that by consuming silica from the fastest growing plant in the world, your hair will reap the benefits.

• Silica can help to slow or stop shedding.

One of the most common benefits we receive from customers who enjoy our bamboo products is the slowing down of excessive shedding.  Why is that?  According to naturopath, Dr. Isabel Sharkar,  silica is a carrier of oxygen which helps red blood cells carry up to 20% more oxygen.  You can imagine how beneficial this can be for the scalp and hair follicles.  Healthy hair starts at the scalp.  With increased blood flow comes more nutrients and oxygen. This is an absolute must if you are looking to improve the strength of your hair.

• Increased shine and brightness.

Studies suggest that hair follicles with greater silica levels have a lower falling (shedding) rate while also exhibiting higher brightness and shine.

• Treats psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes skin cells to multiply, causing red bumps that are often itchy.

• Promotes hair growth.

Not only does silica support healthier strands, it can also help you make major gains in your hair journey.  By helping to carry oxygen and nutrients to the strand, silica can help promote some serious growth.  Best of all, the reduction in shedding means that you can retain your newfound length.  What's better than that?

• Makes hair thicker.

One of the most wonderful benefits of consistent bamboo silica consumption is thicker hair.  This is likely related to the slow down in shedding. The less hair you lose, the thicker and fuller your hair appears. Thinning hair isn't an attractive feature. Thick, shiny hair is a sign of youth, health, and vitality.  Silica will strengthen your hair, making it thicker, more resilient.

Nails

• Makes nails stronger.

Your nails are predominately made of silica. Increasing your silica intake makes them grow stronger and makes them less prone to breakage. Bamboo silica gives your nails the nutrition it needs to grow faster.

Body Benefits

Although the beauty benefits of Bamboo are awesome! Let's discuss some of the health and wellness benefits that you can experience as well.

• Strengthens bones.

Bamboo silica is as essential for bone health as calcium. It improves bone density and flexibility. Silica naturally increases the body’s own presence of iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and boron. All of these are essential for developing healthy bones. It's even been said that silica has the power to help re-mineralize calcium into bone. A study conducted at the University of California showed that bones with adequate silica contained twice the collagen than bones with low silica.   This makes bamboo silica an amazing wellness supplement to keep us strong and healthy as we age.

• Increases connective tissue.

• Silica also helps overall joint flexibility.

Are you feeling a little stiffer these days?  Perhaps bamboo silica can offer some help.  Both collagen and elastin are rich in silica.  The lower your silica stores, the less flexible you become. 

• Alleviates arthritis.

• It’s great for your digestive system.

It supplements and regulates its proper functioning.

• Reduces stomach inflammation and improves digestion.

Brain Health Benefits

One little known, but very interesting benefit of silica is its possible brain-protective qualities.  Not only does silica strengthen the connective tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, it can also help protect our cognitive health.

• Silica from bamboo extract has been shown to improve memory performance in animal studies.

The onset of Alzheimers or dementia can be devastating.  Some experts speculate that the accumulation of aluminum in the brain tissue could be linked to the onset of these diseases.   When aluminum accumulates in the brain, it decreases cognitive function. When we consume silica, it helps to remove aluminum, it might be an excellent supplement to incorporate in your wellness routine for long term health. Animal studies involving rats have shown that supplementation with bamboo silica extract for 7 weeks helped rats that showed signs of dementia, to experience an improvement in memory and performance.

In case you aren’t already convinced that bamboo is absolutely amazing , hopefully this article has convinced you that bamboo is a silica superfood!  Silica isn't the only nutrient found in bamboo.  It's also is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and fiber and includes minerals like calcium, manganese, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc.

Although silica is naturally occurring in our body, it decreases drastically as we age. Thankfully, we can turn to bamboo to help us rebuild our much-needed silica stores