What are the benefits of Diatomaceous Earth?
You may never have heard of it before, but chances are you’ve consumed or used plenty of products that contained it.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) sounds like a scientific term for a state of the planet, but it turns out it’s actually a natural product made up of fossilised remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms.
You may never have heard of it before, but chances are you’ve consumed or used plenty of products that contained it. Some common products containing DE include dusts, powders and pressurised liquids that are used on the outside of buildings, on farms, in gardens, and in human and pet foods.
It usually comes in the form of a white powder and is used in many different ways.
Six diatomaceous Earth benefits:
1. Detoxifies the body
Diatomaceous Earth works as a natural detox agent within the body, killing parasites and viruses that can contribute to illnesses while also helping to clean the blood. DE is inexpensive, simple to use and much safer than many store-bought detox products or plans. Some of the benefits of using DE internally include reducing odors, helping to curb gas, cleansing the digestive tract, boosting liver function and absorbing harmful toxins within the blood.
2. Helps purify water
Diatomaceous Earth is used in many filtration products because its chemical composition makes it a great filtration aid. It’s able to filter fine particles that otherwise pass through or clog filter papers.
This makes it a common product used in water filters to help prevent tap water toxicity and also purification practices for fish tanks. Additionally it’s also important for manufacturing beer and wine, syrups, sugar, and honey without removing or altering their colour, taste or nutritional properties.
3. Fights parasites
A study published in the Oxford Journal of Poultry Science found that DE has the potential to be an effective treatment to help control parasites. This was observed in hens that produce organically raised, free-range eggs.
The two groups of hens used in the study were found to differ in their resistance to internal parasitic infections, which was observed by examining their gastrointestinal tracts. The hens fed DE had significantly lower incidences of infections. Those fed DE were also significantly heavier in weight, laid more eggs and consumed more feed than hens fed the control diet, plus their eggs had larger yolks and therefore were more concentrated with nutrients.
4. Kills insects and other harmful substances in your home
DE a natural insecticide, since it absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects’ exoskeletons, which causes them to dehydrate and die of water deficiency. This is why it’s useful in food preservation, as a natural home deodoriser and cleanser, and for helping to treat livestock suffering from parasites.
DE can help eliminate bed bug, house dust mite, cockroach, ants and flea infestations within your home without the use of harsh chemicals.
5. Improves joint, bones and ligaments health
A 2007 study published in the Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging stated that dietary silicon is beneficial to bone and connective tissue and helps prevent low bone mass (osteoporosis). Silica within DE helps with normal bone metabolism and joint formation, with evidence over the past 30 years suggesting there’s a positive association between dietary silicon intake and better bone mineral density. Thus, DE makes a great addition to any osteoporosis diet and treatment plan.
6. Helps clean and protect skin, nails and teeth
Since it has natural abrasive qualities and kills parasites, DE is used in many toothpastes, skin exfoliators, polishes and skin scrubs. Just like other beneficial clays, it dries out harmful toxins and leaves behind cleaned, smoothed skin with little to no side effects. It also seems to have anti-aging effects by helping with the use of calcium in forming strong bones, nails and teeth.
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