In this article, you will learn about 13 health benefits of diatomaceous earth (food grade) for humans and pets.
Also, it will be detailed how to take it internally for optimal results.
What is diatomaceous earth?
Diatomaceous earth, also known as diatomite or kieselguhr, is a naturally occurring, siliceous sedimentary rock.
It is composed of silica cell walls of dead microscopic algae, known as diatoms, that accumulate in oceans or freshwaters1.
This acidic rock is soft, highly porous, and crumbles into a grayish or whitish powder.
Diatomaceous earth consists of 2,3,4,5,6:
| Percentage of content | Compound | Chemical formula | Mineralogy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80-90% | Silica (silicon dioxide) | SiO2 | Opal (amorphous) Quartz (crystalline) |
| 4% | Alumina | Al2O3 | Illite, muscovite, and kaolinite clay |
| 0.5-2% | Iron oxide | Fe2O3 | Hematite and maghemite |
What is diatomaceous earth used for?
Diatomaceous earth is commonly used for making filter aids, metal polishes, toothpaste, cat litter, and soil for plants2.
Furthermore, diatomaceous earth is a well-known natural garden and household pest control.
It kills, namely, bed bugs, ants, and fleas2.
13 Health benefits of diatomaceous earth (food grade)
Diatomite can also be taken internally. This practice has multiple health benefits for humans, cats, and dogs.
Noteworthy is the fact that only “food grade” diatomaceous earth should be ingested.
Here are 13 astonishing health benefits of diatomaceous earth (food grade) for humans and pets:
1. Diatomaceous earth for intestinal parasites
Symptoms of intestinal parasitic infection include brain fog, lethargy, poor sleep, anxiety, slow digestion, abdominal bloating, and gas.
The fossilized diatoms that make up diatomaceous earth have very sharp edges allowing them lacerate the outer covering of parasites.
Moreover, they also absorb the wax from the outer layer of these critters.
This increases the evaporation from their bodies, resulting in dehydration.
Diatomaceous earth also starves larvae and damages parasitic eggs.
A study has shown that hens had a lower parasite burden and egg counts when treated with food grade diatomaceous earth7.
Related: An Easy Way To Know If You Have Liver Flukes
2. Diatomaceous earth has antifungal properties
Food grade diatomaceous earth may be used as an antifungal dietary supplement.
The polysaccharide chitin is a primary component of cell walls in fungi such as Candida albicans8,9,10.
The fossilized exoskeletons of diatoms lacerate the chitin in the fungi cell walls, killing them and allowing them to be excreted in your stool.
Furthermore, the fine white powder also dehydrates fungi by absorbing the lipids from their outer layer.
Related: 10 Strongest Candida Killer Supplements
3. Diatomaceous earth removes toxic heavy metals
Toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury bind in your tissues where they induce toxicities, create oxidative stress and interfere with essential minerals such as magnesium and zinc11,12.
Studies have shown that diatomaceous earth adsorbs:
By adsorbing these toxic metals, diatomite neutralizes them and facilitates their evacuation via bowel movement.
Related: 10 Best Heavy Metal Detox Supplements
4. Diatomite eliminates radioactive nuclides
Radioactive elements are present in the Earth’s crust, the food we eat, and the water we drink.
Besides, there are also radioactive gases in the air we breathe16.
Exposure to the radiation from these elements can cause DNA damage, non-cancer and cancer diseases17.
Research reveals that natural diatomite could remove 85% of the radiation from cesium– and cobalt-contaminated waste liquid by adsorption and filtration18.
Another study reported that diatomaceous earth removed uranium from aqueous solutions by adsorption6.
Related: How To Detox From Radiation Exposure Naturally
5. Diatomaceous earth eliminates petrochemical pollutants
In the petrochemical industry, the abbreviation BTEX refers to19:
- Benzene
- Toluene
- Ethylbenzene
- Xylenes
These volatile organic compounds are all very toxic to human health and the environment20.
Moreover, MTBE, also known as methyl tertiary butyl ether, is an organic compound primarily used as a fuel additive. It is a potential human carcinogen at high doses21.
Research revealed that raw diatomite could remove both BTEX and MTBE from an aqueous solution by adsorption6,22.
6. Diatomaceous earth improves bone formation and strength
The main component of diatomaceous earth is silica (SiO2), also known as silicon dioxide.
Silicon (Si) is an essential element for bone formation.
It stimulates the production of collagen and the differentiation of cells that synthesize bone23,24.
Furthermore, it improves calcium incorporation in bone23.
Silicon supplementation has been shown to increase bone mineral density and improve bone strength23,25.
As a result, food grade diatomite can be used as a dietary supplement to prevent bone fracture and osteoporosis.
Related: How To Alkalize Your Body Fast
7. Kieselguhr prevents arteriosclerosis
This is one of the astonishing health benefits of food grade diatomaceous earth for humans.
This fine powder is a rich source of silicon.
Silicon, in turn, is a constituent of connective and elastic tissues.
Studies have shown that silicon inhibits plaques and lipids in the arterial walls responsible for arteriosclerosis26,27.
This is because silicon preserves the structure as well as the ground of the substance of elastic fibers26.
8. Diatomite stimulates your immune system
As already mentioned, silicon is a major component of diatomaceous earth.
Research reports that an intake of silicon has been shown to induce morphological changes of the thymus, the principal organ of the immune system28.
Also, these changes were accompanied by an activation of immune cells28.
Thus, adding kieselguhr to your diet can boost your immune system.
Related: 10 Himalayan Salt Cave Benefits
9. Diatomaceous earth promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails
There are not only therapeutic benefits but also aesthetic benefits of diatomaceous earth.
Thanks to its high content of silicon, diatomite promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Indeed, silicon is essential for the synthesis of collagen, improving skin strength and elasticity29.
Diatomaceous earth makes your skin glow from within and reduces wrinkles.
Furthermore, a higher content of silicon in the hair results in a lower rate of hair loss and increased brightness29.
Diatomite makes your hair look fuller and keeps your hair clean longer.
In addition, silicon also affects nails by improving their quality and increasing protection against nail infections29.
Related: 3 Best Liver Cleanse Juice Recipes
10. Diatomite removes dark circles under your eyes
Diatomaceous earth has excellent detoxification properties, as it removes heavy metals, radioactive nuclides, parasites, and fungi.
These attributes allow diatomite to cleanse your liver and your kidneys.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the areas under the eyes are energetically connected to the kidneys30.
Hence, the detoxification of your kidneys with diatomite helps your body get rid of dark circles under your eyes.
Related: How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Overnight
11. Diatomaceous earth relieves constipation
Diatomaceous earth has amazing laxative properties.
Namely, the fossilized skeletons of diatoms have sharp and pointy edges that can gently break masses blocked in your digestive system.
Constipation, indeed, results from matter, sometimes hard as the cement that obstructs your digestive tract.
Related: 5 Immediate Constipation Relief Remedies For Adults
12. Diatomaceous earth gets rid of harmful bacteria
Diatomite can be used to eliminate pathogenic bacteria.
Indeed, a research study showed that three different diatomaceous earth products removed harmful bacteria (P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. megaterium) from aqueous media31.
Related: 7 Strongest Natural Antibiotics
13. Diatomite aids in weight loss
This is one of the surprising health benefits of food grade diatomaceous earth.
Research indicates that it is capable of reducing blood cholesterol and influencing lipid metabolism in humans32.
As a result, diatomite can be used as a dietary supplement to lower cholesterol levels and lose weight.
Related: Is Coconut Oil Good For Weight Loss?
13 Health benefits of diatomaceous earth (food grade)
Is diatomaceous earth safe?
Inhaling diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth should not be inhaled.
Inhaling diatomaceous earth can, namely, damage your lungs, as particles accumulate in your lung tissue and lymph nodes and are not eliminated from your body33.
The repeated inhalation of diatomite is responsible for many diseases including silicosis and lung cancer33,34.
Therefore, it is recommended to be cautious while manipulating the powder34.
Related: How To Detox Aluminum From The Body
How to take diatomaceous earth internally
- Take a teaspoon of diatomaceous earth (food grade) mixed with water daily.
- It is not recommended to take diatomite in the evening, as it can have an energizing effect.
- Use preferably a wooden spoon, as metal or plastic could interact with the powder and diminish its detoxifying properties.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day, as diatomite has a dehydrating effect.
Related: Top 13 Foods That Kill Parasites
Summary: 13 Health benefits of diatomaceous earth (food grade)
The internal use of food grade diatomaceous earth has multiple health benefits for humans, cats, and dogs.
Diatomite has indeed amazing detoxification attributes.
Furthermore, it is high in silicon (Si), an important constituent of connective and elastic tissues.
Food grade diatomaceous earth has the following 13 health benefits:
- Elimination of intestinal parasites
- Cleansing of fungi
- Removal of heavy metals
- Elimination of radioactive nuclides
- Removal of petrochemical pollutants
- Improvement of bone formation and strength
- Prevention of arteriosclerosis
- Stimulation of your immune system
- Promotion of healthy skin, hair, and nails
- Removal of dark circles under your eyes
- Relief of constipation
- Elimination of harmful bacteria
- Weight loss
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