Diatomaceous Earth: What You Need To Know

by Eric Bakker N.D.

Some people claim that diatomaceous earth is good for killing and removing parasites from the body. However, it’s all anecdotal.

What is diatomaceous earth? It’s an algae that lived millions of years ago and left a silica shell behind.

Silica is quite an interesting mineral that’s extremely hard for the body to absorb. Diatomaceous earth doesn’t mix well with fluids, especially inside the body, so it’s pretty useless as a silica supplement. There’s also no scientific evidence that shows that it removes parasites. The studies I did look at, particularly one from 2010, involving animals and diatomaceous earth, were inconclusive.

Some people recommend diatomaceous earth for a wide range of purposes: high blood pressure, AIDS, cancer, everything. It cures baldness; it cures infertility, it cures mortgage problems, it cures every flipping thing. Well, it doesn’t. It doesn’t. It’s all anecdotal. I’m sure if I gave you a cup of sand to swallow and drink, you’d say you’d feel a certain way as well.

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Remember, just because everybody else does it, it doesn’t mean to say that it’s necessarily good or it’s going to work. I’m not a huge fan of diatomaceous earth, but if you think it works for you, then maybe it works for you.

Be very careful about inhaling diatomaceous earth because it can wreck your lungs. Very fine-grain silica causes the lung disease silicosis. Thousands of people die every year from silicosis. You don’t even want to breathe in silica.

There is food grade diatomaceous earth and filter grade. Filter grade diatomaceous earth is known to remove heavy metals from water. People then automatically assume diatomaceous earth will remove heavy metal from their bodies. It doesn’t work like that. Don’t fall for the hype.

Diatomaceous earth does have its applications, don’t get me wrong. But, when it comes to human health and killing parasites, I wouldn’t fall for the hype.

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About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.