Zeolite for Detoxification: Beliefs, Facts and Effects!
What are zeolites?
Zeolite is a rare natural mineral formed by a chemical reaction between volcanic ash and seawater. The crystalline structure is porous and negatively charged, enabling the selective removal of toxins, especially heavy metals (which are positively charged). This process can take thousands or even millions of years; scientists estimate that the first zeolite minerals formed over 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, chabasite, 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 detoxifiers available.
Zeolite helps to remove harmful substances without causing side effects.
When zeolite comes into contact with toxins in the body, it behaves like a magnet (has a negative charge). Once bound, these toxins are trapped within the zeolite's porous structure, unable to escape or be reabsorbed by the body. Zeolite essentially acts 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 magnet with a negative charge. 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 faeces.
Zeolite can bind and remove a wide range of toxins from the human body, drinking water and waste materials. Its small cage and surface charge trap 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 of red-hot lava and cold seawater, zeolite forms a unique cage-like structure and negative surface charge. Aluminum and silicon form the basis of this structure, but it often includes other elements such as oxygen, tin, zinc and titanium. Small cages allow zeolite to act as a "molecular sieve", filtering molecules based on their particle size. Negative surface charge binders 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 acts as a cage. When the 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 mainly 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 to transport them out. In the opposite case, one can experience detoxification reactions or more precisely symptoms of poisoning as small amounts of zeolite (as in liquid zeolite) can 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 that is proven safe for human use.
Zeolite detoxifies in two ways
Absorption: Traps 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
The crystalline structure of zeolites
Zeolite's crystalline structure consists of a grid of tetrahedra connected by oxygen atoms, which form a net-like structure. Think of it as a microscopic honeycomb. This structure contains pores or channels of a uniform shape, which allow 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 by hydrothermal methods, where specific chemical conditions lead to their formation. These methods involve mixing appropriate 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 can be directly toxic. It is natural Clinoptilolite (English: Clinoptilolite) which is documented to be harmless (when produced and controlled correctly) and effective in micropowder form. It is therefore essential that the manufacturer in question 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. That
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 that is recommended for human use and when pure and properly produced is 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 subsidy and it is also not allowed to sell it as a subsidy in Norway, the EU or the EEA. Micropowder Zeolite MED or Bentonite MED (mixture of Zeolite and Bentonite which gives an even better effect than only Zeolite)) has medical approval on a par with 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 the studies the author has found concern micropowder and not zeolite dissolved in water or another liquid.
Health Effects:
Antioxidant Source: Zeolite acts as an antioxidant
Balances pH levels: Zeolite helps balance pH levels in the body
Helps with digestion: People who struggle with digestive problems such as indigestion or constipation can benefit from zeolite
Improves brain function: Zeolite can help improve brain function
Improves circulation: Zeolite can 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 cage and surface charge trap 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 trap neurotoxins and other chemicals that can enter our bodies through our diet, air and water
Heavy metals: Zeolites attract toxic heavy metals that accumulate in our bodies
Radioactive toxins: Zeolites can even trap radioactive materials
Mycotoxins: Zeolites are able to trap mycotoxins and toxins produced by fungi
Pathogenic microbes: Zeolites can trap pathogenic microbes
Effective for:
Bleeding: Uncontrolled bleeding is the 2nd leading cause of death in serious injuries and accidents. The US military uses a zeolite-based product (QuickClot) to stop severe bleeding on the battlefield. Backed by solid clinical evidence and real-life effectiveness, this product has also found use in civilian medicine.
Used in accidents and poisoning of the environment
500,000 tonnes of clinoptilolite zeolite were used to encase the reactor and decontaminate water, soil, objects, animals and people after the Chernobyl accident.
Liquid zeolite vs. micronized powder
The liquid zeolite versus powder zeolite controversy has been going on for over a decade now. Liquid zeolite supplements are just 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 et surface area up to (slight difference between manufacturers) 1000 times larger than the liquid solution, which means that there is a much larger area of zeolite that can trap toxins, making it much more effective for detoxification.
Some technical data extracted via internet searches and encyclopedias
What is a nanoparticle? It is a particle with a size of 0.001 to 0.1 micron.
How big are the pores that can absorb heavy metals and more? Typically they are from 0.0003 to 0.00045 microns.
How small particles can pass through the gut-blood barrier? Here there are several conditions that can influence, but as a rule of thumb you can say from 0.0004 to 0.01 micron (for the latter, special transport proteins are required)
How many particles are there in one heavy metal molecule such as mercury (Methylated mercury or organic mercury)? The size is from 0.4 to 0.5 microns
How big 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 less naturally enough
What do we know?
Micromined powder such as Zeolite MED/ZeoBent MED
Research. Extensive research has been done on natural Clinoptilolite micromined powder and its health effects, safe for use and detoxifying effects.
Dosage and content. Good detoxifying effects have been shown when using in the range of 3-15 grams per day.
No nanoparticles. Contains no nanoparticles and therefore poses no risk of distribution of potentially harmful substances in the body or blood.
Size of particles. The average size of the powder in Zeolite MED is approx. 9 micron which ensures that the cage-like structures are whole and intact.
Effect. A number of studies show that microminized powder Zeolite 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). That is that a box lasts for approx. 70 days where the daily dose costs approx. NOK 7 per day.
Zeolite mixed in water or other bags
Research. There is minimal if any research on the use of liquid zeolite. There will be, among other things, referred 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 on any of the databases for an unknown reason.
Dosage and content. The manufacturer of Waiora NCD2 states that 3 drops should contain 2.4 mg and be taken three times a day. For comparison, there are approx. 416 times less than a dose of Zeolite WITH micro-minced 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 about the same numbers with a total content of 30 mg (or 7000 times less than a can of Zeolite MED). The uptake and excretion of toxins is proportional to the quantity. 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 milligrammes), basic physics dictates that a small amount can only transport a small amount of waste, whether the zeolite is small or comes in even smaller particles.
Nanoparticles. Said to contain nanoparticles that are error. Nano particles are significantly smaller than the stated size of 0.4 microns (nano particles smaller than 0.1 micron). Moreover, if it were possible, it would be likely that the cages and pores that are supposed to absorb toxins would be destroyed.
Size of particles. Average size stated for Pure Body zeolite approx. 0.4 microns. Whether all the cage-like structures are whole and intact is difficult to determine. We can assume that some of them are, without it affecting the main impression.
Effect. The little that exists of studies with clinical research on liquid zeolite (we can't find them) that is referred to indicates that liquid zeolite also has a certain effect, but as the pictures show from an older study not close to powder based zeolite. It is argued that the liquid variants and then specifically Pure Body have much smaller particles which should contribute to it being absorbed into the blood (which can have both positive and negative sides) and that the overall absorption is therefore better. It does not lead to correctness when taking into account the amount of zeolite vs. powder based compared to liquid. As mentioned above, the powder has 400 times more zeolite per dose and thus a much larger total surface. Moreover, it is very doubtful whether 0.4 micron zeolite can be absorbed via the intestine at all, as substances that must pass the gut-blood barrier must normally be smaller than 0.01 micron. To the extent that some of it should still be absorbed into the blood in an unknown way, the amount is so small that the ability to transport out waste will be minimal.
Price versus content. Pure Body costs approximately NOK. 360 per bottle of 30 mg. In comparison with Zeolite MED, which costs approximately NOK. 500 in pure form, the same amount of zeolite in Pure Body would have cost 7,000 times more or approx. 2.5 million. To the extent that there was actually evidence that liquid is more effective because the molecules are smaller (for which we have not found evidence), one could perhaps say that Pure Body is 22 times more effective (because the molecules are 22 times smaller than Zeolite MED and that we assume that the cages are not damaged) it will still in no way justify the price of Pure Body, which therefore contains 3 mg per dose against 3000 mg per dose of Zeolite MED which is 1000 times more per time.
We think "out loud"
Pure Body and other liquid zeolite products claim to be absorbed into the blood and should therefore be more effective detoxifiers because the molecules are clearly smaller than ordinary micromined zeolite. Pure Body states that the bag is stated to contain nanoparticles, that is simply untrue, as nanoparticles are less than 0.01 micron while the particles in Pure Body are stated to be 0.4 micron. To the extent that there are actually nanoparticles in Pure Body, it will possibly increase the risk of metals such as aluminum (which is part of the zeolites) and other potentially dangerous substances entering the blood and ending up in places we do not want them (such as the brain). Furthermore, there is uncertainty as to whether parts of the structures (which absorb metals etc.) can be destroyed when they are so small (the pores will be partially destroyed). There are a number of examples that nanoparticles in the blood can penetrate cells and organs and possibly pose a health hazard. The ability to transport out, for example, heavy metals is, as mentioned, proportional to the amount of zeolite. Furthermore, it is known from clinical experience 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 (eg mentioned 1000 times less per dose than powder) liquid can easily cause unpleasant detoxification reactions because the dose is not enough to bind all the toxins and metals it comes into contact with. To the extent that you believe that liquid zeolite in microdoses has a positive effect, which is highly unclear when you look at the research, you should in any case use fine-grained powder in addition to have an efficient transport of toxins and waste out of the body. The research that is referred to and the effect when using zeolite is so far we have found only on micro-minced zeolite powder in doses over 3 grams per time. Pure Body states that the dose is 4 drops of a total of 0.3 milligrams. That means 10,000 times less dose compared with powder. Other Pure Body products state content in milliliters which is completely irrelevant, zeolite is not liquid. To the extent that the information we have interpreted is wrong and it is 30 mg per dose not per bottle which it seems (it is also unclear which we perceive as non-serious) is the dose "only" 1000 times less compared to powder-based zeolite. Liquid zeolite of this type is simply insanely expensive in relation to its content.
Danger of liquid zeolite supplements in general?
First of all, the product is made of pure Klinoptilolite, all 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 quality, effective zeolite product and also to take it in the required dose. A small dose can result in detoxification reactions, redistribution of toxins, and an ineffective detoxification. If you experience detoxification reactions when taking zeolite you should increase your dose immediately. It seems counter-intuitive, but the lower the dose, the more likely you are to experience a detoxification reaction. To effectively detoxify 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 would you need to take over 100 bottles per day to get the right dose related to the amount of toxins that need to be transported out.
Many people experience a reaction when they take their liquid zeolite supplement that leads them to believe that it works because they experience a detoxification reaction. Yes, it works to some extent, but the fact that you experience a reaction means you need a much higher dose. By using a high-quality zeolite powder, you can speed up your results and reduce or eliminate the detoxification reaction, even in sensitive individuals. Now they should say that the debate about liquid versus ultrafine powder has been going on for 10 years and is hardly over, but it seems illogical not to use powder-based when you know the amount of toxins and heavy metals you will be exposed to on a daily basis.
Conclusion. We hope this article contributes to both those who use, sell and recommend zeolite for detoxification becoming familiar with actual data.
Disclaimer
Uno Vita increasingly uses artificial intelligence for analyses, summaries and design of articles. We do not accept responsibility for possible errors in texts, articles or descriptions due to human or computer technology (AI) errors, inaccuracies or missing information in scientific and medical studies.
We encourage all readers to examine all information critically to ensure that the content is correct. Uno Vita does not claim medical effects of the products we sell, but we refer to publicly available research in accordance with the right to freedom of expression. The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The content must not be used as a basis for making diagnoses or choosing forms of treatment. All information and materials on this website are provided "as is" without any warranties, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Uno Vita disclaims all responsibility for loss or damage that may arise as a result of the use of information or products from this website. We strongly recommend that you consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new treatment, dietary change or use of supplements. Any use of products or information from this website is at your own risk.
Reservation
Use of supplements and treatments is at your own risk and should always be done in consultation with a doctor. The recommended daily dose should not be exceeded. Devices that require medical expertise must only be used by people with the relevant education. The effect of the products may vary from person to person. Dietary supplements should not replace a varied diet. Keep out of the reach of children. Uno Vita AS does not claim that our products can cure disease, regardless of any research that suggests this.
Freedom of expression
Uno Vita reserves the right to share publicly available research and information on health and wellness technologies, natural substances, vitamins and the like. We do this with reference to national and international laws on freedom of expression and belief, including: UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): Article 19 ensures the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to receive and impart information without regard to borders. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966): Article 19 emphasizes the right to freedom of expression and the freedom to seek, receive and communicate information and ideas through various media. Norwegian Constitution § 100: Ensures freedom of expression, with certain limitations for the sake of children's protection, privacy, public order and safety. America's First Amendment: Protects freedom of speech against government interference, and provides one of the strongest protections for free speech.
Uno Vita reserves the right to freedom of opinion and expression in line with these principles.
Written by Jan Fredrik Poleszynski - February 2024
