Zeolite is a mineral earth that has been used in many areas of industry and agriculture for a long time due to its very special chemical and physical properties. Mineral soil is also very suitable for water softening and wastewater treatment.
In capsule or powder form, zeolite is also marketed as detoxifying and colon cleansing agent. Thanks to its porous structure and good ion exchange properties, mineral earth can bind to unwanted substances in the intestine and promote their elimination with the feces.
Ion exchange means that Zeolite ions (e.g. sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium ions) are released, while toxic heavy metal ions are absorbed.
However, since zeolite is an aluminum compound (it is an aluminosilicate), The voices that warn of the dangers of zeolite are repeated, stating that it is not suitable for internal consumption, since it loads the body with aluminum, which of course would be counterproductive for detoxification and would entail certain risks.
Is zeolite safe?
Frontiers in Pharmacology published in 2018 a review on The Health and Safety Effects of Clinoptilolite (i.e. Zeolite) Based Mineral Clays when they were used, for example, for detoxification.
It is often claimed that the acidic environment of the stomach could dissolve aluminum from the mineral soil. This is correct, according to the study: Aluminum dissolves in certain amounts of the zeolite and can therefore also be detected in feces.
Zeolite aluminum does not enter the blood
However, aluminum does not appear to enter the bloodstream or accumulate in the body, as both a study in rats and a study in athletes have shown.
In the study of athletes, 52 received 1.85 g of zeolite or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Several markers were checked before starting the intake and after 12 weeks. Zonulin levels (a marker of leaky gut syndrome) were found to be significantly improved in the zeolite group.
IL-10 levels increased in this group. IL-10 is a messenger substance in the body that inhibits excessive immune reactions and can therefore also protect against autoimmune processes. AND there was no increase in blood aluminum levels.
Natural and synthetic zeolite
Aluminum only enters the bloodstream when synthetically produced zeolite (so-called zeolite A) is administered. This is because zeolite A It is generally less stable than natural zeolite.
Natural zeolites, in fact, reduced the aluminum load in blood and bones in the rat study mentioned above; instead, The aluminum content in the blood increased after administration of a synthetic zeolite. The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) also refers to a study (with cows) in which zeolite A was used in its mineral soil warnings.
Silicon reduces the bioavailability of aluminum
Although aluminum is released from the natural zeolite in the stomach, it does so as part of a compound with silicon and this reduces the bioavailability (ability to be absorbed) of the metal.
Silicon-rich water (or silicon as a dietary supplement) is also considered a means of removing aluminum from the human body.
Therefore, natural zeolite with health authorization for human consumption does not contribute to aluminum pollution, but rather helps eliminate it.
How do you take zeolite?
Although there are not enough studies to support the use of zeolite, and its detoxifying properties have not been proven in studies with people, it is usually recommended to start with a quarter or half a teaspoon of natural zeolite once a day dissolved in a glass of still water. This amount can be gradually increased until taking two whole teaspoons dissolved in two glasses of water per day.
The treatment is carried out during a period from 10 days to 3 weeks. Then you can pause and continue. It is always preferable to take zeolite under the control of a health professional.
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