Germanium and Silicon are associated trace elements. While silicon is considered essential for humans, germanium has not been designated as essential at this time, although it should be, since like other essential trace minerals, it has its own cell receptor, and with silicon, affects aspects of the immune system, blood-thinning, as well as joint, and cardiovascular integrity. Silicon is usually supplemented as Silica in the form of Silica Gel, or it is derived from horsetail in capsules or tablets, while germanium is generally supplied in its specially processed Organic Germanium form... Full Text