What are zeolites?

Did you know that the word Zeolite comes from the Greek words zέo (“to boil”) and lithos (“stone”) from way back in the 1700’s? Named after the ‘vapour’ seen coming from the stones when it was heated, the Zeolite resembled steam from boiled water. This was due to the water trapped inside the zeolites. 

Zeolites are aluminosilicate minerals, meaning they are composed of the elements aluminium and silicon. A defining feature of zeolites is the variety of beautiful structures they make up - lots of triangular cage-like pyramids linked up together.

Discover our full range of zeolite clinoptilolite products or check out even more educational articles and videos.

Structure and forms: the different types of zeolites

The linked-up structure of zeolites creates cavities where water and other polar, i.e., positively charged, molecules are inserted and exchanged. This porous structure makes zeolites highly absorbent and enables them to exchange ions, thereby binding to toxins.

Having a natural negative charge allows zeolites to work like a magnetic sponge, attracting and absorbing positively charged toxins that sit inside the ‘cage’, to compensate for the negative charge of the structures.

There are over 150 zeolites (and not all are created equal):

• 40 naturally occurring in volcanic or sedimentary rocks
• 110+ synthetically made, often used in manufacturing
• Clinoptilolite, mordenite and chabazite are the most commonly mined
• Clinoptilolite is the most widely recognised

NOTE: Bentonite and kaolin, which will be familiar for their use in cosmetics, are clays, not zeolites!

Naturally occurring zeolites have been used for healthy detoxification for generations because they are highly selective in their absorption and can ‘sieve’ a variety of toxins.

How do Zeolites work in the body?

The unique physical and chemical properties of Zeolites make them very useful in a variety of applications. The most widely used Zeolite for human use is known as Zeolite Clinoptilolite, or Clinoptilolite for short. Clinoptilolite has been known in the medical community for decades and is the most widely used and studied Zeolite in medicine.

The basic structure of Clinoptilolites is biologically neutral and safe for oral use due to its chemical stability. You can think of it as a ‘cage’ and a ‘sieve’ - as the Clinoptilolite comes across toxins, it will adsorb them into its cage-like structure, and as it sieves substances through, toxins with the right polarity (positive charge) will be attracted to it. The positive charge of toxins, such as heavy metals, to which we are exposed through our environment, makes them very attracted to the negatively charged Clinoptilolite. Studies have shown it can bind to substances such as ammonium, heavy metals, moulds, mycotoxins, and amines such as nitrosamines and tyramine, but most importantly, histamine, without affecting mineral levels in the body.

Clinoptilolite in vivo can have a protective effect on the brain, activate the immune system, support the liver and improve the intestinal status.

How do I choose which Zeolite to use?

With the multitude of Zeolite Clinoptilolite supplements available, it can be tricky to figure out which one is best for your needs. The most important thing to look for is ones which not only bind to the toxins but are also removed from the body effectively - so ask your provider for their research. Additionally, one of the most important factors is choosing a Zeolite that doesn’t enter the bloodstream, because there is no evidence that, once it does, it leaves the liver or kidneys safely. Whereas a Zeolite Clinoptilolite, proven to enter through the mouth and exit via the stool, can be considered the safest for human consumption.

Although Zeolite Clinoptilolite can alleviate the burden on the liver by binding toxins, the body still relies on the liver to process them out of the body if they enter the bloodstream. If the Zeolite Clinoptilolite does not enter the bloodstream and is processed out of the body via the digestive tract, as with certified 3rd-party audited Zeolite Clinoptilolite Toxaprevent, the burden on the liver is removed, which helps the body return to its natural detoxification processes more quickly. 

Ideally, you should choose a Supplement that has undergone some form of assessment to demonstrate its safety and efficacy. Most supplements are governed by the UK Food Standards Agency, which means specific claims cannot be made for the product and that claims are more general, based on the existing evidence available on the active ingredient. 

There are Zeolite Clinoptilolite supplements available that are approved medical devices, which means they can make more specific claims. This is because the products are individually assessed by the medical authorities, i.e. MHRA in the UK, for their safety and test reports to show that they are safe for human consumption. Approved devices also show that the product does not remain in the body. 

Conclusion

Zeolites have been around for centuries, with over 150 types - most of which are synthetically made. Of the 40 zeolites naturally found in volcanic rock, Zeolite Clinoptilolites is the most rigorously researched and has been used in the medical community for decades. 

Clinoptilolite uses its unique structure and polarity to bind to toxins in the body. It is safe for oral use due to its stability. Choosing a Clinoptilolite supplement which leaves the body will provide better benefits and no known side effects. 

Clinoptilolite supplements come in many forms, but capsules or powders are most common. When choosing a powder, ensure that it is packaged appropriately in single use pouches so that it does not bind to toxins every time it is opened. Choose a form which targets specific areas such as the upper or lower digestive tract, or skin, etc.

A Clinoptilolite supplement approved as a medical device proves that it leaves the body, is safe for use, and has been proven to remove the toxins it claims to remove and can help, according to the claims made on the packaging.

Call us on 02476363873 or email us at hello@madebydaily.com to discuss your questions with a member of our clinical team.

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