Diatomaceous Earth
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a sedimentary rock that naturally occurs and has a gran structure high in silica. It can be easily ingested or used topically for various health benefits because it can be broken down into powder. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is made of the fossilised remains of diatoms, microorganisms found in oceans and waterways worldwide. These diatoms are millions of years old and contain essential trace minerals, making them a powerful tool for improving our health and well-being. Here, we will discuss what food-grade diatomaceous earth is and the scientific benefits of diatomaceous earth.
The 31 Evidence-Backed Health Benefits Of Diatomaceous Earth
A 2007 study in The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging found that dietary silicon, which is present in diatomaceous earth, can benefit healthy bone mass and connective tissue (1).
In addition to supporting normal metabolic processes, diatomaceous earth can also improve bone mineral density(2). Low bone mass often leads to osteoporosis, a disease called “a silent epidemic of the 21st century.” (3). By adding diatomaceous earth into your regular diet, you may be able to prevent and treat bone and connective tissue diseases like osteoporosis, thanks to its high levels of silica and other minerals.
2 | Strengthen Hair and Nails
​Food-grade diatomaceous earth is rich in silica, which is known to have a positive effect on hair and nails (4). ​ It can help protect and strengthen them and the scalp from fungal infections. Whether you want to improve the shine and strength of your hair and nails or have issues with dandruff or hair loss, food-grade diatomaceous earth is a source of bio-available silicon.
3 | Assist in the fight against dangerous parasites
The use of diatomaceous earth can aid in combating harmful parasites. Its composition and low density effectively eliminate parasites from the body, with smaller parasites being removed directly and larger ones being broken down before being flushed out. This product is safe for beneficial gut bacteria due to the small size of the silica. Diatomaceous earth has been used for parasite treatment in livestock and pets, and high-grade materials can also be used for humans. A study published in the Oxford Journal of Poultry Science suggests that diatomaceous earth has the potential to be a long-term solution for parasite control and elimination (5).
4 | Detoxify and Strengthen Digestive System
Diatomaceous earth has numerous benefits for the digestive system. Its composition helps in cleansing the intestines and digestive tract. Silica present in it can soak up and eliminate heavy metals, toxins, intestinal worms, parasites, and other microorganisms. Taking silica in diatomaceous earth can improve gut health and reduce waste accumulation. Silicon dioxide in it also improves gastrointestinal disorders (6).
5 | Reduces Bloating, Wind, and Gas
Diatomaceous earth has digestive benefits that aid in purifying and detoxing the body by eliminating harmful bacteria, which can alleviate bloating, and other discomforts. It can also enhance healthy digestion by removing impurities, toxins, and parasites, resulting in a functional and unencumbered digestive system. Additionally, diatomaceous earth has been known to eradicate stored product pests like mites and mealworms, and it may have a similar effect on the human digestive system (7).
6 | Increases Nutrient Absorption
Diatomaceous earth of food-grade quality can enhance your digestive system, allowing for better absorption of vital minerals and nutrients. By eliminating harmful substances from your digestive tract, your body can more easily absorb nutrients, leading to overall improved health. Silicon is a naturally occurring trace element in humans, primarily obtained through our diet. Its presence in human cells and primitive organisms suggests it plays a crucial biological role in all organisms (8). Studies have shown silica can improve nutrient absorption and modify nutrient efficiency and content (9).
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7 | Helps to Balance Your Hormones
​Diatomaceous earth is rich in silica, which makes up 80-90% of its composition and provides numerous benefits. Silica helps regulate the balance between magnesium and calcium in the body (10), with this balance essential for maintaining healthy hormones. Silica affects all of your hormones, including your thyroid, with the selenium in diatomaceous earth also assisting with thyroid hormone metabolism (11).​
8 | Promotes Heart Health
Diatomaceous earth contains silica, which can help maintain the flexibility and strength of arteries and blood vessel walls, promoting overall heart health. Studies suggest that silica may reduce the risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes (12). Arteriosclerosis is a serious type of coronary artery disease that causes hardening of the arteries. This condition can be hazardous, with hardened arterial walls causing the blood to move more slowly and increasing the chance of damage due to high blood pressure. The silica found in diatomaceous earth helps strengthen the body’s veins and arteries through the formation of elastin and collagen (13).​​
9 | Strengthens the Immune System
Diatomaceous earth has numerous health benefits that can improve gut health and reduce inflammation, ultimately protecting the immune system. This ancient material is sourced from deep within the earth's crust and contains alkalizing that are beneficial to humans. Studies have shown that the silica in diatomaceous earth can enhance the production of antibodies and antigens, leading to faster and more effective healing from infections, colds, flu, and others (14).
10 | Essential for Collagen Production
​Collagen, the primary structural protein present in skin and connective tissues, is commonly used in cosmetic surgeries. Diatomaceous earth contains silica, which plays a crucial role in collagen production and maintenance. Silica also aids in gut lining healing, skin health, and hair strength. Studies show that silica can increase collagen levels by 13% to 19% compared to a control group (15). ​
Diatomaceous earth offers several advantages to humans, especially in eliminating parasites and toxins. One of the major concerns is the accumulation of aluminium in the body, which can lead to various diseases. Fortunately, the silica in diatomaceous earth has heavy metal detox properties (16) that can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other conditions caused by long-term aluminium poisoning (17).​
12 | Beneficial in Wound and Burn Healing
Studies have shown that food grade diatomaceous earth, containing and other minerals, can promote the quick regeneration of injured skin tissue. Silica is a crucial component of human tissues and is mainly obtained from our diet. Research indicates that silica is closely linked to connective tissues the body and plays a vital role in the process healing and growth (18).
13 | Can Help to Lower Blood Pressure
Diatomaceous earth contains minerals such as magnesium and potassium that can benefit health and regulate blood pressure. Research has shown that magnesium intake is linked to lower blood pressure, which is crucial overall health and longevity. In fact, a study published in the journal Hypert found that individuals who took magnesium supplements for three months experienced lower blood pressure compared to those who did not take supplements (19). ​
14 | Has Anti-inflammatory Benefits
When the body tries to heal itself, inflammation as a protective mechanism. However, it can lead to diseases if it becomes excessive. Diatomaceous earth's magnesium content can prevent chronic inflammation, which is responsible for many diseases. Additionally, the mineral-rich composition of diatomaceous earth can prevent premature aging and obesity. Studies have linked low magnesium levels to various chronic inflammatory conditions (20).
15 | Helps Control Diabetes
Diatomaceous earth food-grade product that contains minerals that offer various health benefits. It can help against several diseases, including diabetes. Magnesium and manganese present in diatomaceous earth can assist in controlling diabetes, which is a common disease in developed countries. Clinical studies have shown that magnesium supplementation in diabetic patients is effective in most cases, but not all (21).
16 | Helps You to Look Younger
Diatomaceous earth contains minerals such as silica that can impact skin elasticity and other factors related to beauty and aging. Silica is present in all tissues of the body, but it is most concentrated in connective tissues like bones, skin, nails, and hair. Studies have shown that high-grade diatomaceous earth has the highest levels of silica. (22).
17 | Helps to Heal Infections of the Urinary System
Consuming diatomaceous earth on a regular basis may aid in the prevention of kidney stones and the treatment urinary tract infections. Diaceous earth contains high levels of magnesium and other minerals that can act as a natural diuretic, promoting the excretion of urine and supporting normal urinary system function. A study suggests that magnesium supplements can reduce the severity and frequency of urinary tract infections. (23).
18 | Can Decrease Headaches and Migraines
Headaches, migraines, and associated conditions such as vertigo and tinnitus may be partially alleviated with food grade diatomaceous earth and other natural supplements. Magnesium is essential to many intracellular processes and is known to play an important role in migraine pathogenesis (24), with many of the other minerals found in diatomaceous earth also needed to prevent cortical spreading depression and other causes of headaches.
19 | Can Be Used Topically as a Skin Exfoliant
Silica is one of the most important minerals on Earth and the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust at 28%. While most of the silica present in igneous and sedimentary rocks is not readily broken down, diatomaceous earth is a notable exception. Diatomaceous earth can be used both internally and topically, with its silica and mineral content acting as a great skin exfoliant and facial scrub (25). While food-grade diatomaceous earth is generally believed to be completely safe to consume, some people advise against breathing in the fine particles when using it as a beauty product.
20 | Decreases the Risk of Bone Fractures
Among all the diatomaceous earth health benefits, bone health gets most of the attention for a very good reason (26). The silica in food-grade diatomaceous earth is known to increase bone volume and mass, and dietary silicon is one of the best ways to improve bone and connective tissue health and reduce the risk of bone fractures (27). While the exact biological roles played by silica in bone health are unknown, it is thought to improve the synthesis and stabilisation of collagen and its matrix mineralisation. The copper and manganese in diatomaceous earth also synthesise the bone matrix.
21 | Stabilises Endocrine Function
The health benefits of diatomaceous earth affect every part of the human body, with the silicon content able to control metabolism in various endocrine glands (28). Ageing and poor health often lead to decreased silica absorption and inadequate or reduced hormone or thyroid activity, which can be partially alleviated with silica supplements or the ingestion of diatomaceous earth products.
22 | Helps to Purify Water
Along with being used internally and topically to improve health and well-being, diatomaceous earth can also be used to improve the quality of the water we drink daily. This product has been used in water filters for years, and its chemical composition and high silica content make it a great filtration aid. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, diatomaceous earth helps to kill dangerous viruses and purify drinking water (29).
23 | Helps to Keep Your Skin Looking More Supple
The collagen in diatomaceous earth has been found to have a number of beneficial effects on factors of human skin physiology that are commonly related to ageing (30). Skin elasticity was vastly improved with collagen supplements, with skin moisture and trans-epidermal water loss also improved to some degree.
24 | Helps Provide Energy to Your Body
The magnesium content in diatomaceous earth helps your body to produce energy from food and improve exercise performance (31). Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a critical role in how the human body functions on a daily basis, including energy metabolism and the maintenance of normal muscle function.
25 | May Be Able to Reduce the Risk of Dementia
The high silica content in diatomaceous earth, along with the other nutrients and anti-oxidants, may be helpful in reducing the risk of dementia. According to a 2009 report published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, silica can be ingested to counteract the damaging effects of aluminium in drinking water (32). In the study, scientists found that the mineral silica can help to decrease the risk of aluminium-induced dementia in elderly patients, with diatomaceous earth one of the best sources of silica in the world.
26 | May Be Able to Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Diatomaceous earth may be able to help decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease, with studies already showing the health benefits of water that is rich in silicon. According to a study by Christopher Exley, a leading scientist on the issue of aluminium toxicity, silicon dissolved in water can chelate damaging aluminium from the body without having any harmful effects on other beneficial metals (33).
27 | Can Help to Lower Cholesterol
Many of the benefits of diatomaceous earth are related to the circulatory system, with silica and other minerals known to influence heart health and blood pressure. While many studies have been undertaken to look at the benefits of silica, magnesium, and other minerals, there are not many studies based on diatomaceous earth as a product. According to one 1998 study published in the European Journal of Medical Research, however, consuming diatomaceous earth three times a day for eight weeks was found to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels in healthy human subjects (34).
28 | Can Help to Prevent Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis
Silica is known to improve bone matrix quality and facilitate bone mineralisation, with both of these factors capable of preventing and managing post-menopausal osteoporosis (35). While the benefits of calcium and vitamin D supplementation are well known when it comes to osteoporosis treatment, silica and many of the other minerals found in diatomaceous earth are only now starting to be recognized.
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29 | Helps to Reduce Stress and Optimise Your Nervous System
The magnesium levels found in diatomaceous earth can optimise our central nervous system and helping our cells to produce and use energy (36). Magnesium is crucial for a wide range of body functions, helping with stress management, anxiety, and cell repair. By increasing our magnesium levels with diatomaceous earth and other supplements, we can optimise our nervous system, moderate out anxiety levels, and feel less stressed throughout the day.
30 | Helps to Regulate and Promote Healthy Sleep Patterns
The health benefits of food-grade diatomaceous earth stretch far and wide, with the mineral content of the ancient diatoms assisting us psychologically and physically. The body needs magnesium and calcium in diatomaceous earth to promote healthy sleep patterns, with insomnia one of the primary symptoms of magnesium and calcium deficiency. According to a study by the Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota, a high magnesium and low aluminium diet is one of the best ways to promote deep and uninterrupted sleep (37). Poor sleep and insomnia are responsible for many health conditions, with a lack of magnesium and other vital minerals found in diatomaceous earth often having a snowball effect.
31 | Assists in Reducing Muscle Weakness and Fatigue
Diatomaceous earth includes several powerful minerals, including phosphorus and calcium which have the ability to reduce physical health problems such as muscle weakness, numbness, and fatigue. The phosphorus in diatomaceous earth can also have a positive effect on libido levels and impotence, making it a great sexual tonic when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Phosphate is an excitatory or high-energy mineral because it is used to fuel our bodies and produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) (38).