Zeolite for detoxification: Belief, facts and effects!
What are zeolites?
Zeolite is a rare natural mineral formed by a chemical reaction between volcanic ash and seawater. Its crystalline structure is porous and negatively charged, which enables the selective removal of toxins, especially heavy metals (which are positively charged). This process can take thousands or even millions of years; researchers estimate that the first zeolite minerals were formed more than 300 million years ago. “Zeolite” is a collective name for over 240 unique structures (or frameworks), of which 40+ occur in nature. The most common types of zeolite include clinoptilolite, mordenite, analcime, chabazite, natrolite and stilbite.
Clinoptilolite natural zeolite: An effective detox with unique properties
Zeolite is a mineral with a fascinating structure and properties that make it a potent tool for detoxifying the body. Its ability to bind to heavy metals and other toxins makes it one of the most effective natural detoxifying substances available.
Zeolite helps remove harmful substances without causing side effects.
When zeolite comes into contact with toxins in the body, it behaves like a magnet (it has a negative charge). Once bound, these toxins become trapped within the porous structure of the zeolite, unable to escape or be reabsorbed by the body. Zeolite essentially works as a detoxifier by targeting heavy metals, trapping them in its structure (“cage”) and transporting them out of the body via the excretory system. Think of zeolite as a negatively charged magnet. Harmful toxins, which have a positive charge, are attracted to zeolite. Zeolite captures positively charged toxins such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium and transports them out of the body through bowel movements.
Zeolite can bind and remove a wide range of toxins from the human body, drinking water and waste materials. Its small cages and surface charge capture heavy metals, natural and chemical toxins, radioactive elements, microbes, metabolic products and more. Thanks to these potent detoxification properties, zeolite can reverse oxidative damage, maintain a healthy microbiome, kill bacteria and viruses, increase levels of minerals and trace elements, and repair skin lesions and stop bleeding.
Structure and components
In a collision between glowing hot lava and cold seawater, zeolite forms a unique cage-like structure and a negative surface charge. Aluminum and silicon form the basis of this structure, but it often also includes other elements such as oxygen, tin, zinc and titanium. Small cages allow zeolite to function as a “molecular sieve,” filtering molecules based on their particle size. The negative surface charge can release minerals - such as sodium, potassium and calcium - and replace them with large ions and heavy metals.
How does zeolite work, in summary?
Magnet-like effect: Zeolite has a negative charge, which gives it a magnet-like effect on positively charged toxins such as heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium) and other harmful substances.
Porous structure: Zeolite has a unique porous structure that functions like a cage. When toxins bind to the zeolite, they are trapped inside the cage and cannot escape or be reabsorbed by the body. Zeolite transports the trapped toxins out of the body primarily via the intestine.
Effective detoxification: Zeolite removes heavy metals and other toxins without causing side effects as long as the dose is high enough to bind all toxins and heavy metals in order to transport them out. Otherwise, one may experience detox reactions or, more precisely, symptoms of poisoning, as small amounts of zeolite (such as in liquid zeolite) may carry a given heavy metal from one place to another without necessarily transporting the metal completely out of the body.
Safe and natural: Clinoptilolite natural zeolite micronized powder is a natural mineral documented to be safe for human use.
Zeolite detoxifies in two ways
Absorption: Captures toxins inside the zeolite.
Adsorption: Toxins attach to the outside of zeolite particles.
Important details and some technical data
Zeolite is a mineral, not a molecule
Zeolite binds to toxins via ionic bonding
Zeolite's crystalline structure
Zeolite's crystalline structure consists of a lattice of tetrahedra connected by oxygen atoms, forming a mesh-like structure. Think of it as a microscopic honeycomb. This structure contains pores or channels with a uniform shape, allowing the absorption of substances. When liquid passes into these pores, zeolites act as filters, trapping toxins in a process called cation exchange.
Production of zeolites
Zeolites can be found naturally, but they are also synthesized for various applications. Synthetic zeolites are produced using hydrothermal methods, where specific chemical conditions lead to their formation. These methods involve mixing suitable reactants (such as silica, alumina, and alkali metal hydroxides) at elevated temperatures and pressures. The resulting zeolite crystals are then carefully separated and processed.
Not all forms of zeolite are health-promoting
Many of the zeolites are not suitable for human use and may be directly toxic. It is natural Clinoptilolite (English: Clinoptilolite) that is documented to be harmless (when produced and controlled correctly) and effective in micropowder form. It is therefore essential that the relevant manufacturer can document the purity and type of zeolite. It is recommended that the manufacturer can present CE medical approval (applies to products sold in Europe), which is a guarantee that the product meets a high standard and is approved for use and sale in Europe. It
Many of the zeolite products on the market, including the liquid ones, often contain 50% clinoptilolite and the rest other zeolites. Clinoptilolite is the form of zeolite recommended for human use and, when pure and produced correctly, harmless to humans, unlike several other zeolites.
Is Zeolite legally marketed as a dietary supplement in Norway and the EU?
No, Zeolite is not a supplement, and it is also not permitted to be sold as a supplement in Norway, the EU, or the EEA. Micropowder Zeolite MED or Bentonite MED (a blend of Zeolite and Bentonite that provides an even better effect than Zeolite alone)) has medical approval similar to a medical device and is sold under this category and is therefore legal and safe.
Health benefits of using purified zeolite ultrafine powder
Preliminary research on zeolite showed good results, but all studies the author has found apply to micropowder and not zeolite dissolved in water or another liquid.
Health effects:
Source of antioxidants: Zeolite acts as an antioxidant
Balances pH levels: Zeolite helps balance pH levels in the body
Supports digestion: People who struggle with digestive problems such as indigestion or constipation may benefit from zeolite
Improves brain function: Zeolite may help improve brain function
Improves circulation: Zeolite may help improve circulation
Detoxifying effects: Zeolite can bind and remove a wide range of toxins from the human body, drinking water, and waste materials. Its small cages and surface charge capture heavy metals, natural and chemical toxins, radioactive elements, microbes, metabolic products, and more.
Here are some of the toxins it can remove
Atmospheric toxins: Zeolites can capture neurotoxins and other chemicals that can enter our bodies through diet, air, and water
Heavy metals: Zeolites attract toxic heavy metals that accumulate in our bodies
Radioactive toxins: Zeolites can even capture radioactive materials
Mycotoxins: Zeolites are able to capture mycotoxins and toxins produced by fungi
Pathogenic microbes: Zeolites can capture pathogenic microbes
Effective for:
Bleeding: Uncontrolled bleeding is the 2nd leading cause of death in severe injuries and accidents. The U.S. military uses a zeolite-based product (QuickClot) to stop severe bleeding on the battlefield. Supported by solid clinical evidence and real-world effectiveness, this product has also found use in civilian medicine.
Used in accidents and environmental poisoning
500,000 tons of clinoptilolite zeolite were used to encapsulate the reactor and decontaminate water, soil, objects, animals, and people after the Chernobyl accident.
Liquid zeolite vs. micronized powder
The controversy over liquid zeolite versus powdered zeolite has now been ongoing for more than a decade. Liquid zeolite supplements are only a very small amount of zeolite powder in water (or another type of liquid) because zeolite cannot be liquefied. On the other hand, micronized zeolite powder has a surface area up to (slight differences between manufacturers) 1000 times larger than the liquid solution, which means there is a much larger area of zeolite that can capture toxins, making it much more effective for detoxification.
Some technical data extracted via web searches and reference works
What is a nanoparticle? It is a particle with a size of 0.001 to 0.1 microns.
How large are the pores that can absorb heavy metals and more? They are usually from 0.0003 to 0.00045 microns.
How small particles can pass through the intestinal-blood barrier? Several factors may influence this, but as a rule of thumb one can say from 0.0004 to 0.01 microns (for the latter, special transport proteins are required)
How large are the particles in a heavy metal molecule such as mercury (Methylated mercury or organic mercury)? The size is from 0.4 to 0.5 microns
How large are other relevant particles?
Lead (Pb²⁺): 0.000119 microns
Mercury (Hg²⁺): 0.000110 microns
Cadmium (Cd²⁺): 0.000095 microns
Arsenic (As³⁺/As⁵⁺): 0.000058 microns
Aluminum (Al³⁺):0.0000535 microns
Atoms are naturally smaller
What do we know?
Micronized powder such as Zeolite MED/ZeoBent MED
Research. Extensive research has been conducted on natural clinoptilolite micronized powder and its health effects, safety for use, and detoxifying effects.
Dosage and content. Good detoxifying effects have been shown with use in the range of 3-15 grams per day.
No nanoparticles. Contains no nanoparticles and therefore also poses no risk of distribution of potentially harmful substances in the body or blood.
Particle size. The average size of the powder in Zeolite MED is approx. 9 microns, which ensures that the cage-like structures are whole and intact.
Effect. A number of studies show that micronized zeolite powder has effects as outlined above
Price versus content. Zeolite MED costs around NOK 500 and contains 210 grams. Normal use is 1 gram X 3 per day. 3 grams is 3000 milligrams (mg). This means that one box lasts for approx. 70 days, with the daily dose costing approx. NOK 7 per day.
Zeolite diluted in water or other liquids
Research. There is minimal, if any, research on the use of liquid zeolite. Reference is made, among other things, to two studies, one in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and one in the Journal of Medical Food. It has not been possible to find these studies in any of the databases for unknown reasons.
Dosage and content. The manufacturer of Waiora NCD2 states that 3 drops should contain 2.4 mg and be taken three times a day. By comparison, this is approx. 416 times less than one dose of Zeolite MED micronized powder. The content is stated to be 24 mg in total. Which is 8750 times less zeolite than in a box of Zeolite MED. Pure Body has approximately the same figures with a total content of 30 mg (or 7000 times less than a box of Zeolite MED). The uptake and excretion of toxins are proportional to the amount. Simply put; the more zeolite, the greater the ability to transport heavy metals and toxins. If the amount is sufficiently small (such as a few milligrams), basic physics suggests that a small amount can only transport a small amount of waste, whether the zeolite is small or comes in even smaller particles.
Nanoparticles. Claims that it contains nanoparticles are incorrect. Nanoparticles are significantly smaller than the stated size of 0.4 micron (nanoparticles are less than 0.1 micron). Moreover, if it were possible, it is likely that the cages and pores intended to absorb toxins would be destroyed.
Particle size. The average stated size for Pure Body zeolite is approx. 0.4 micron. Whether all the cage-like structures are whole and intact is difficult to determine. We can assume that some of them are without affecting the overall impression.
Effect. The little that exists in the form of clinically researched studies on liquid zeolite (we cannot find them) that is being referred to indicates that liquid zeolite also has some effect, but as the images from an older study show, nowhere near that of powder-based zeolite. It is argued that the liquid variants, and specifically Pure Body, have much smaller particles that are supposed to help it be absorbed into the blood (which can have both positive and negative aspects) and that the total absorption is therefore better. This is not correct when taking into account the amount of zeolite in powder-based compared with liquid. As mentioned above, the powder has 400 times more zeolite per dose and thus a much larger total surface area. Moreover, it is highly doubtful whether 0.4 micron zeolite can be absorbed via the intestine at all, since substances that are to pass the intestinal-blood barrier normally must be smaller than 0.01 micron. To the extent that any of it should nevertheless somehow be absorbed into the blood, the amount is so small that the ability to transport waste out will be minimal.
Price versus content. Pure Body costs approximately NOK 360 per bottle of 30 mg. Compared with Zeolite MED, which costs approximately NOK 500 in pure form, the same amount of zeolite in Pure Body would have cost 7000 times more, or approx. 2.5 million. To the extent that there were actually evidence that liquid is more effective because the molecules are smaller (which we have not found evidence for), one might perhaps say that Pure Body is 22 times more effective (because the molecules are 22 times smaller than Zeolite MED and we assume that the cages are not damaged), it would still in no way justify the price of Pure Body, which thus contains 3 mg per dose versus 3000 mg per dose of Zeolite MED, which is 1000 times more per serving.
We think out loud
Pure Body and other liquid zeolite products claim to be absorbed into the bloodstream and are therefore said to be more effective detoxifiers because the molecules are clearly smaller than regular micronized zeolite. Pure Body states that the liquid is said to contain nanoparticles, which is simply untrue, as nanoparticles are smaller than 0.01 micron while the particles in Pure Body are stated to be 0.4 micron. To the extent that there actually are nanoparticles in Pure Body, this may increase the risk that metals such as aluminum (which is part of the zeolites) and other potentially dangerous substances enter the bloodstream and end up in places where we do not want them (such as the brain). Furthermore, there is uncertainty as to whether parts of the structures (which absorb metals, etc.) may be damaged when they are this small (the pores will be partially damaged). There are a number of examples showing that nanoparticles in the blood can penetrate cells and organs and may pose a health risk. The ability to transport out, for example, heavy metals is, as mentioned, proportional to the amount of zeolite. Furthermore, clinical experience shows that zeolite, if it is in circulation, can transport toxins from one place to another if the dose is too low. This means that low-dose liquid (as mentioned, 1000 times less per dose than powder) can easily cause unpleasant detox reactions because the dose is not sufficient to bind all the toxins and metals it comes into contact with. To the extent that one believes that liquid zeolite in microdoses has a positive effect, which is highly unclear when looking at the research, one should in any case also use finely powdered zeolite in order to ensure effective transport of toxins and waste out of the body. The research that is referred to and the effects of using zeolite are, as far as we have found, only on micronized zeolite powder in doses above 3 grams per serving. Pure Body states that the dose is 4 drops totaling 0.3 milligrams. This means a 10,000 times smaller dose in comparison with powder. Other Pure Body products state contents in milliliters, which is completely irrelevant; zeolite is not liquid. To the extent that the information we have interpreted is incorrect and it is 30 mg per dose, not per bottle as it appears (this is also unclear, which we perceive as unprofessional), the dose is "only" 1000 times smaller compared with powder-based zeolite. Liquid zeolite of this type is simply outrageously expensive in relation to its content.
Danger of liquid zeolite dietary supplements in general?
First and foremost, if the product is made from pure Clinoptilolite, all available research shows that it is safe to use. The two most important aspects to consider when using zeolite for detoxification are quality and quantity. It is important to choose a high-quality, effective zeolite product and also to take it in the necessary dose. A small dose can result in detox reactions, redistribution of toxins, and ineffective detoxification. If you experience detox reactions when taking zeolite, you should increase your dose immediately. It seems counterintuitive, but the lower the dose, the more likely you are to experience a detox reaction. To detoxify effectively with zeolite, you need a relatively high dose, and the more toxic you are, the higher the dose you need. For most liquid zeolite products, you would need to take over 100 bottles per day to get the correct dose relative to the amount of toxins that must be transported out.
Many people experience a reaction when they take their liquid zeolite supplement, leading them to believe that it works because they are experiencing a detox reaction. Yes, it works to some extent, but the fact that you experience a reaction means that you need a much higher dose. By using a high-quality zeolite powder, you can accelerate your results and reduce or eliminate the detox reaction, even in sensitive individuals. It should be said that the debate about liquid versus ultrafine powder has been ongoing for 10 years and is hardly over, but it seems illogical not to use a powder-based form when one knows the amount of toxins and heavy metals one is exposed to on a daily basis.
Conclusion. We hope this article helps ensure that those who use, sell, and recommend zeolite for detoxification become familiar with the actual data.
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Written by Jan Fredrik Poleszynski – February 2024
