Why heart disease mortality is low in France: the time lag explanationCommentary: Alcohol and other dietary factors may be importantCommentary: Intrauterine nutrition may be importantCommentary: Heterogeneity of populations should be taken into accountAuthors' response
I suggest the effect of silicon be considered as a possible
explanation for the French Paradox. Silicon is known to be present in
large amounts in connective and elastic tissues. When administered to
rabbits either intravenously or in the diet, silicon markedly impedes
atherogenesis. Silicon is contained in most mineral waters, many fruits
and nuts and most cereals. Silicon in UK soils varies widely, but is
generally at low levels.
See: Lancet 1977 Feb 26:1(8009):454-7.
Atherosclerosis 1979 Aug; 33(4)397-408.
Pathol Biol(Paris) 1984 Jun;32(6)693-7.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1984:21 Suppl 1:41-7
Life Sci 1988; 42(21):2105-12.
Statements made herein may have been influenced by a desire for
brevity but not by any conflicts of interest.
Don Bradley
Information Analyst
Biomedical Discoveries
Seattle, WA bd159@scn.org
Rapid Response:
French Paradox -- Silicon?
I suggest the effect of silicon be considered as a possible
explanation for the French Paradox. Silicon is known to be present in
large amounts in connective and elastic tissues. When administered to
rabbits either intravenously or in the diet, silicon markedly impedes
atherogenesis. Silicon is contained in most mineral waters, many fruits
and nuts and most cereals. Silicon in UK soils varies widely, but is
generally at low levels.
See: Lancet 1977 Feb 26:1(8009):454-7.
Atherosclerosis 1979 Aug; 33(4)397-408.
Pathol Biol(Paris) 1984 Jun;32(6)693-7.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1984:21 Suppl 1:41-7
Life Sci 1988; 42(21):2105-12.
Statements made herein may have been influenced by a desire for
brevity but not by any conflicts of interest.
Don Bradley
Information Analyst
Biomedical Discoveries
Seattle, WA
bd159@scn.org
Competing interests: No competing interests