Zeolites are minerals that mainly contain aluminum and silicon compounds. In industry, they are used as drying agents, in detergents, and in water and air purifiers.
Zeolites are also marketed as dietary supplements to treat diarrhea, to remove heavy metals of the body, or as an ingredient in masks to cleanse the skin, among many other indications. However, there are no scientific studies carried out with human beings and published that support these uses.
In the United States, health authorities have issued several warning communications to marketers for carrying out misleading claims in products with zeolite. It has also been warned that erionite, a type of fibrous zeolite, can cause certain types of lung cancer when inhaled.
What is zeolite?
Zeolites are a group of mineral substances that mainly contain hydrated aluminum and silicon compounds. They are found naturally in volcanic rocks and ash and can also be created synthetically.
Zeolite Properties
Zeolites are compounds with a porous structure that gives them adsorbent properties (due to its adhesion capacity), anti-caking agents, chelators and desiccants.
Test tube and animal studies have found antioxidant properties and they can act on the immune system by stimulating or depressing it.
The benefits of using zeolites in animal feed They include a reduction in heavy metal-induced anemia and a reduction in aflatoxin toxicity. However, none of these benefits have been shown to apply to humans.
In medicine, they are used in external hemostatic dressings to contribute to the coagulation and healing of traumatic wounds, and internally in the manufacturing of controlled release medications.
Its use has been studied in drugs for immunodeficient patients, withirritable bowel syndrome or intestinal hyperpermeability.In an animal study, zeolite reduced oxidative damage and the generation of atheroma plaques in mice with Alzheimer’s.
Uses of zeolite in the home
Zeolite products have several uses in the home. It is used, for example, to absorb moisture and bad odors in closed spaces such as closets, refrigerators, cars, boats and basements.
- It is also used for absorb liquid spills such as oil, paints or solvents.
- It is also used in products such as cat litter.
- At an industrial level, it is used in water purification plants, in cleaning the water of swimming pools and aquariums.
- In gardening, It is added to substrates to increase water and nutrient retention.
Supposed therapeutic indications for zeolite
According to the conclusions of an international team of researchers, «it can generally be stated that clinoptilolite-based materials, including so-called activated materials, can be considered safe for consumption in vivo.»
«Until now, several very positive effects of clinoptilolite-based materials on human and animal health have been documented,» continues the study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology-. (…) It has proven to be useful in elimination of a variety of contaminants from the body or in improving intestinal condition. An indirect systemic detoxification effect attributed to supplementation with clinoptilolite-based material in the diet of animals and humans was also documented in other organs, for example the liver. However, the observed positive systemic mechanisms are not yet fully understood.»
It is common to find other indications for zeolite:
- Anticancer therapy: In vitro and animal studies suggest anti-cancer properties, but there is no human clinical data to validate the use of zeolites for cancer prevention or treatment. Zeolite supplementation did not prolong survival in animals with tumors, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York (United States).
The ability of zeolite to adsorb nitrosamines in acidic solutions has been proposed as a mechanism by which it could promote the elimination of carcinogenic substances in the stomach, but the MSKCC of New York describes this theory as «unsubstantiated.»
- To treat diarrhea: Although it appears that a zeolite-containing drug has been developed in Cuba to treat diarrhea, no published data are available.
- Regulate immune function: Animal studies show that zeolites can both stimulate and suppress the immune system.
According to the MSKCC, no clinical data have been published that can validate the use of zeolites in the treatment of autism, herpes, hangovers, to balance pH or to eliminate heavy metals in the body.
Dangers of zeolite: contraindications and negative effects
Since zeolite contains aluminum compounds, there is concern that this toxic mineral is released into the digestive system. However, if that were the case, that metal does not reach the circulatory system or accumulate in the body.
Zeolites can bind to other substances and neutralize stomach acid, which can cause medications to not be absorbed properly or that are less effective. They can also affect the absorption of nutrients, such as iron.
These are people who have had a transplant or who are taking medications to suppress the immune system, zeolites can provoke an immune rejection response. In addition, zeolites have antioxidant effects and can interfere with the action of chemotherapy.
Inhaling particles can be very dangerous
Generally, the various forms of zeolite are not significantly toxic in acute, short-term oral or parenteral toxicity studies in animals. However, the inhalation toxicity is well known in the case of erionite, a type of airborne fibrous zeolite. It can cause:
- Fibrosis (increase in fibrous tissue)
- Pneumoconiosis (respiratory disease)
- Mesothelioma (a type of cancer)
The erionite exposure could occur in the past during erionite mining and production operations, but this mineral is no longer mined or sold for commercial purposes.
Diseases related to erionite have occurred more often among street and highway construction workers and maintenance workers that may have been exposed to gravel with erionite used in paving.
The use of other zeolites may result in exposure to erionite in workers and members of the general population who use zeolites in numerous processes and products. Commercial uses of other natural zeolites include litters used for pet evacuations, soil conditioners, animal feed, wastewater treatment, and gas absorbents.
In any case, there is no evidence that other forms of zeolite, such as those used in dietary supplements, are linked to cancer.
Zeolite supplements
If you wish to consume an oral or cosmetic zeolite supplement, for example, in the form of clinoptilolite zeolite, it is essential Make sure it is completely free of heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, copper and chromium.
To do this, the manufacturer should be able to offer a certificate from an independent laboratory. In the past, some products have been discovered in Europe that were contaminated with these toxins.
Scientific references: