The researcher who changed the way silicon is understood.
For decades, silicon was considered a structural element with no biological relevance. The work of Dr. Loïc Le Ribault showed that it could play an active role in the human body.
His research opened up a new scientific avenue: bioavailable organic silicon.
Silicon before 1970
Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust. It is present in rocks, sands, plants, animals, and also in the human body.
However, until the 1970s it was considered a merely structural element, with no clear physiological function.
Its presence in connective tissues, skin, and bone structures raised a fundamental question:
Could silicon have an active biological role?
This was the question that guided Dr. Le Ribault's research.
The discovery that connected geology and biology
In 1972, while studying quartz grains using electron microscopy, Dr. Le Ribault observed that some sands had a thin film of water-soluble amorphous silicon.
Unlike crystalline silicon, this form was dynamic and potentially bioavailable.
This discovery built a bridge between geology and human physiology, opening the possibility that silicon could interact with biological systems.
FROM NATURE TO THE LABORATORY (1975–1982)
From mineral silicon to biologically active silicon
In the mid-1970s, Dr. Le Ribault developed a process to recover silicon deposits generated by microorganisms such as bacteria and diatoms.
These biogenic forms showed characteristics different from conventional mineral silicon.
During his research, he observed unexpected biological phenomena when coming into contact with silicon-rich solutions.
This prompted the study of its possible role in connective tissue, collagen synthesis, and bone mineralization processes.
The silicic acid problem
Silicic acid is the natural form of soluble silicon. However, it is unstable and tends to polymerize quickly, losing bioavailability.
The scientific challenge was to stabilize it in a monomeric, small, absorbable form.
Together with chemist Norbert Duffaut, Dr. Le Ribault succeeded in developing a stable form:
A small, soluble molecule capable of being efficiently absorbed by the body.
This breakthrough led to the G4 and later the G5.
The role of silicon in the human body
Silicon is present in connective tissues and supporting structures of the body.
Scientific literature links it to:
- Participation in collagen synthesis
- Contribution to bone mineralization
- Elasticity of connective tissue
- Structural integrity of the skin, cartilage, and tendons
- Support for vascular structures
Understanding its bioavailability is key to understanding its physiological impact.
Una evolving investigation
SILICIUM Laboratories continues the line of research initiated by Dr. Le Ribault, developing new applications and improving the stability and quality of the original formula under current scientific standards.
More than a story, it is research that keeps moving forward.