Silica in drinking water prevents Alzheimer's

High concentration of silica in drinking water might be protective against Alzheimer's disease.Researchers from the Hospital Casselardit in Toulouse studied 7598 women older than 75 years from five cities in France, whose mental acuity was measured at the start of the study between 1992 and 1994. Their intake of water (tap versus mineral water) was ascertained by a questionnaire, and data on levels of silica, calcium, and aluminum were obtained from local water companies and companies distributing mineral water.

Women with normal or higher mental function at the outset had a higher intake of silica daily. The relationship remained statistically significant after taking account the age, location, income, educational level and history of stroke. In a second phase of the study, women living in Toulouse who had normal or higher cognitive scores were followed for up to seven years. During that time, 60 women developed Alzheimer's disease while 323 maintained normal cognitive function

The women with Alzheimer's disease were 2.7 times more likely to have daily silica intake considerably lower than those without Alzheimer's disease. Researchers suggest that silica is a natural antidote to aluminum, which has been linked to the formation of so-called senile plaques in the brain.
However, there appeared to be no relationship between aluminum in drinking water and cognitive function, but the levels of aluminum in the groups studied was very low.