Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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A family member referred me to the following article:

http://www.examiner.com/nutrition-in-philadelphia/detoxification-what-does-it-involve-and-is-it-for-you

The author mentioned diatomaceous earth; I clicked on the link for DE ( http://thedetoxspecialist.com/blog/detox/food-grade-diatomaceous-earth-and-its-health-advantages ) which led me to the store ( http://www.morethanalive.com/Diatomaceous-Earth-Food-Grade-Powder ) where I spent some time reading the comment section.

Apparently, people regard DE as some sort of miracle cure. As far as I can tell, it's basically fossilized trace minerals, but I'm pretty skeptical...any ideas? Has anyone used this? Or even heard of it? Do you think it could be a beneficial supplement for paleo?

flag	asked Oct 29 2010 at 14:28 Ben 4,101●1●9●29

trae · Answer 1 · 2013-01-04 15:45:51Z UTC

I realize a lot of the comments are old- but FYI- the idea of DE 'cutting you up inside' is freakin ridiculous- and here's why- take the DE in your hands and rub it into your skin- Are you bleeding>????? Really- most dumb fear. :D

Eva · Answer 2 · 2010-10-29 16:32:59Z UTC

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Food grade DE will still be abrasive to your instestinal tract. DE kills via scratching the exteriors of soft skinned critters like insect larvae. It's a big favorite for exterior garden insect control because rain will not easily destroy it. It is not actually poisonous in itself but it is definitely bad for soft flesh. I would not ingest it personally. It's just fossil shell material made mostly of silica. I am laughing at one website that said silica is the most important trace mineral to man! Yup, eating sand is just sooooo healthy! ;-) Just make sure you don't eat melted silica, which would be glass..

edited Oct 29 2010 at 16:32

answered Oct 29 2010 at 15:58

Eva
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I'm having trouble finding any sources that don't praise food grade DE. My impression was that it would tear up your insides, but I can't seem to find any harmful side effects online (with the exception of inhaling it...). – Ben Oct 29 2010 at 17:02

The only diff with food grade is they are (supposedly) making sure that the stuff has no more than the allowed level of toxins in it. But all DE is abbrasive fossilized diatoms. That does not change between food grade and not food grade. Could be that healhty intestines can handle it though. – Eva Oct 30 2010 at 3:47

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the particles are too small to have an effect on your intestines. It only works on insects/small animals. It is completely harmless (assuming food grade) to larger animals like humans and livestock. It has been used as an organic wormer for livestock for years. – VelaCreations Oct 30 2010 at 5:16

Stancel · Answer 3 · 2010-10-29 17:10:04Z UTC

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Food grade diatomaceous earth works in removing hookworms, a common parasitic infestation in the digestive tract. Although hookworms are benign compared to some other nasty parasites, they still increase risk of deficiencies because they are blood suckers. I'm speaking from experience, I put some of the food grade diatomaceous earth in water and drank it. It's safe and I didn't suffer, the worms were gone.

answered Oct 29 2010 at 17:10

Stancel
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How long did you use food grade DE? – Ben Oct 29 2010 at 17:35

I drank it only once – Stancel Oct 29 2010 at 23:15

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How did you know you had hookworms and how did you know that you had removed them? – Patrik♦ Oct 30 2010 at 0:34

I have no problems thinking DE 'might' be good for removing intestinal parasites. In fact, when I worked at Petco, it consistantly got excellent reviews for killing fleas. I could see logically that it might work on intestines. If so, the questoin becomes, how many people have parasites, what kind of dosing is required, what are side effects/dangers, and how effective is it. There is much left unanswered as yet. – Eva Oct 30 2010 at 3:51

I agree, Eva. There is a lot unknown, still. I haven't been able to find any side effects, or reports of people feeling any sort of ill effects, even after years of use (food grade, not bug killing grade). I might just give it a try and see what happens! – Ben Oct 30 2010 at 22:46

Rogue Nutritionist · Answer 4 · 2011-05-18 22:20:47Z UTC

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I've been taking DE at night for a while, and my bowel movements are especially healthy, as are my hair, skin and nails.

answered May 18 2011 at 22:20

Rogue Nutritionist
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	how much do you take? 1 tsp or 1 tbsp? any side effects? – cyto19 May 18 2011 at 23:48
	I take a heaping tablespoon, and only side effect is thirst if I haven't been drinking enough water. – Rogue Nutritionist May 29 2011 at 22:06

Dave S. · Answer 5 · 2010-10-29 17:03:33Z UTC

I have used it sucessfully to get rid of a bedbug infestation that a pest control company couldn't get rid of in over six visits! Don't want to say what company, but it rhymes with Borkin.

Diatomaceous earth basically cuts into the bugs as they walk over it, they dehydrate and die. You have to be careful not to breath it in or get in your eyes. Not sure I would want to swallow it either.

JOhn · Answer 6 · 2010-10-29 15:07:59Z UTC

I have had some mixed in with water before, taste like chalky water..., and I occasionally use it on my dogs as flea treatment or around the house to kill ants. It works by causing cuts in the exoskeleton of insects which leads to them bleeding to death or becoming dehydrated I as best I understand. For nutrition I think that it is touted as a way to kill parasites in your GI tract, but I always thought that if it cuts parasites it is probably cutting me as well... Don't really know for sure but thought I'd share that, Yes there are people out here that have heard of it...

jem · Answer 7 · 2010-10-30 18:52:20Z UTC

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in the 80's it was commonly used on organic produce, especially apples if i remember correctly. my raw milk supplier sells it and uses it mainly for keeping her heard parasite free.

answered Oct 30 2010 at 18:52

jem
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Karen · Answer 8 · 2011-08-02 00:11:54Z UTC

To avoid thirst or constipation just put a heaping tbsp. in your 1 gallon water jug and let it settle. You still get the silica which is great for your skin, hair and nails. It settles in about an hour. Just drink the water and not the actual DE that sinks to the bottom. If you don't have a problem with constipation or crazy thirst, just shake gently and drink it all. Use FOOD GRADE only! A 3 lb container will last you 6 months or more.

Karen · Answer 9 · 2011-09-18 20:38:28Z UTC

I just started taking it about 3-4 wks ago. So far, not a negative side effect, not a one! I was pretty toxic inside (from YEARS of unhealthy/pure junk food and grease eating). I have bad skin because of it-prematurely (at 26 I started getting wrinkles). I know that no visible imrovements should be seen right away, but I believe that afer a few mos. of being on it, things will start to change (someone else had a similar story and it changed her skin). Supposedly that much silica can even get rid of sun damage. We'll see, but overall, everything is great!

benston10 · Answer 10 · 2013-01-04 18:27:10Z UTC

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I had a tapeworm problem for a couple of days. DE solved my problem after just 1 night. Anecdotal, so take it with a grain of earth.

answered Jan 4 at 18:27

benston10
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Miranda · Answer 11 · 2013-01-19 21:28:58Z UTC

I used it for a couple of months, and almost all my joint pain went away, and my skin got wonderfully soft feeling. One caution, the recommended dose of 2 heaping tbs per day gave me an itch in the anus that set me up for a few months of a tiresome little fungal infection that was very hard to get rid of. I don't think the rash thing is typical, fyi; it was just around in the household at the time.

I like the suggestion to let it set in the water for that reason.

Diatomaceous Earth: Ever heard of it? Ever used it?

11 Answers