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Diatomaceous Earth & Cholesterol Levels

Diatoms are microscopic, unicellular plant like organisms, which grow both in fresh and sea water. The diatomaceous earth is made up of fossilized shells of these diatoms. The diatoms deposits may shift to dry lands also, by events like floods when water from natural resources enters the land nearby. This diatomaceous earth mainly contains silica as the major component. It is believed that the silica in diatoms is beneficial for human health when consumed by humans.

  1. Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

    • Diatomaceous earth has been found to be useful in many purposes in industry, agriculture and in medicine. The diatomaceous earth used for industrial and agricultural processes is different from what can be used for human consumption as a medicine. This is because human and animal only can use food-graded diatoms from fresh water. Food grade diatomaceous earth is also known as fossil shell flour. FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) recognizes food grade diatomaceous earth as safe.

    Function of Silica in Diatomaceous Earth

    • It is thought that silica plays an important role in many body functions and has a direct relationship to mineral absorption. On average, the human body contains approximately seven grams of silica

    Human Use of Diatomaceous Earth

    • Diatomaceous earth has been tried in many clinical conditions for the benefit of patient’s health, as well as to maintain health in healthy individuals. Fossil shell flour is believed to eliminate parasites, regulate bowel movements, relieve constipation, stop diarrhea, stop arthritis, extract heavy metals from the bloodstream and reduce cholesterol levels. It is also thought that, if used, it may strengthen bones, teeth, skin, hair and nails.

    Cholesterol Lowering Ability

    • In a study conducted at Austria by Wachter H and his colleagues, they used diatomaceous earth to study its cholesterol lowering action in humans with raised blood cholesterol levels. It was found in the study that diatomaceous earth had the beneficial effect of lowering bad cholesterols (low density lipoproteins and triglycerides) and the good cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) levels had increased after four weeks of diatomaceous earth. This is the only study found in literature which describes the beneficial effects of diatomaceous earth, so it was recommended that the studies should be done in large number of patients, in proper manners to know the exact changes in cholesterol levels and also to find benefits and safety of diatomaceous earth for human consumption.

    Hazards

    • The diatomaceous earth other than the fossil shell floor may be harmful to humans and animals if consumed.

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