Silicon-Rich Mineral Water as a Non-Invasive Test of the ‘Aluminum Hypothesis’ in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

There has been a plausible link between human exposure to aluminum and Alzheimer's disease for several decades. We contend that the only direct and ethically acceptable experimental test of the 'aluminum hypothesis', which would provide unequivocal data specific to the link, is to test the null hypothesis that a reduction in the body burden of aluminum to its lowest practical limit would have no influence upon the incidence, progression, or severity of Alzheimer's disease. Herein we are testing the hypothesis that silicon-rich mineral waters can be used as non-invasive methods to reduce the body burden of aluminum in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and a control group consisting of their carers and partners. We have shown that drinking up to 1 L of a silicon-rich mineral water each day for 12 weeks facilitated the removal of aluminum via the urine in both patient and control groups without any concomitant affect upon the urinary excretion of the essential metals, iron and copper. We have provided preliminary evidence that over 12 weeks of silicon-rich mineral water therapy the body burden of aluminum fell in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and, concomitantly, cognitive performance showed clinically relevant improvements in at least 3 out of 15 individuals. This is a first step in a much needed rigorous test of the 'aluminum hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease' and a longer term study involving many more individuals is now warranted.

Anti-Aging Effects of Monomethylsilanetriol and Maltodextrin-Stabilized Orthosilicic Acid on Nails, Skin and Hair

“…On the contrary, aluminum reduction was actually correlated directly to the consumption of M-OSA and MMST. This effect is in accordance with the literature: epidemiological studies already suggested that silicon can prevent the absorption of aluminum and/or increase its excretion [31][32][33][34]. Indeed, in nature, silicon readily forms complexes with aluminum and therefore, aluminosilicates are the most prevalent form of silicates [3].…”

Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy

“…Moreover, they documented that regular drinking of a silicon-rich mineral water during a period of 3 months significantly reduced the body burden of aluminium. Similar results were obtained by Davenward et al [79] who showed that silicon-rich mineral waters can be used as a non-invasive method to reduce the body burden of aluminium in both Alzheimer's patients and control group by facilitating the removal of aluminium via the urine without any concomitant effect. They also showed clinically relevant improvements of cognitive performances in at least 3 out of 15 individuals with Alzheimer disease.…”

What is the risk of aluminium as a neurotoxin?

“…We have also been investigating non-invasive ways to reduce the uptake of aluminium into the body and, importantly, to facilitate the excretion of aluminium from the body. We were successful in lowering the body burden of aluminium in individuals with moderateto-severe AD and concomitantly we were able to demonstrate clinically significant improvements in cognitive performance in some individuals [14]. These experiments offer some hope that the aluminium hypothesis of AD, and indeed other neurodegenerative diseases, might be tested by lowering the body burden of aluminium in affected individuals.…”