Diatomaceous Earth Health Benefits

Diatomaceous earth is a dietary supplement found in lots of products, from human vitamins to household cleaners. It is a powdered substance said to have many health benefits when consumed regularly. It is also widely used as an insecticide on farms and in animal products. The obvious question: just how healthy is this powder for humans? Though some critics disagree, many studies suggest diatomaceous earth can be beneficial for conditions as diverse as high blood pressure and constipation. And if it doesn’t work, I suppose you could always throw it in the garden to keep the bugs at bay!

What Is Diatomaceous Earth?

Most people have never even heard the term, or have no idea what it is. Diatomaceous earth is a natural remedy with hundreds of uses. It is made from tiny fossilized plankton (diatoms) that accumulate in freshwater lakes. The remains of these organisms contain silica, which is a major component of healthy ligaments and cartilage. Diatomaceous earth is a gentle abrasive available in food grade and non-food grade forms. People add the powder to drinks, foods, or pill capsules for internal use, or combine it with dozens of products for external use.

Heart Health

Everyone knows heart health is important. High blood pressure and cholesterol levels can lead to serious consequences like heart attacks and strokes. Diatomaceous earth is proven to improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The ingredients of DE can help fight stubborn fats, turning them into liquid. The fats can then be removed from the body more quickly. This lowers the amount of bad cholesterol, which consequently reduces high cholesterol. Reducing these fats also lowers blood pressure.

Fight Infections

The detoxifying ingredients in DE are quite beneficial when it comes to fighting infections in the body. This is especially relevant to bacterial infections of the digestive tract such as E Coli. DE can also fight yeast infections and can be a great alternative or enhancement to antibiotics and OTC medications.

Teeth Cleaning

One of the main ingredients found in toothpaste is silica. Because of this, diatomaceous earth is a great ingredient for teeth cleaning. Its gentle abrasive qualities clean the teeth without damaging the enamel. Add DE to any brand of toothpaste you are already using or make your own natural toothpaste. Organic, natural toothpaste can be expensive, but DE is a great inexpensive alternative.

Healthy Skin and Nails

The silica in Diatomaceous Earth is actually the main ingredient of several fancy hair care products and supplements. It is proven to promote hair follicle production and give the appearance of fuller hair. Silica is also responsible for aiding the production of collagen. Collagen is a well-known product that promotes healthy, smooth skin. Both silica and collagen also strengthen brittle nails. DE can improve all of these things within weeks of beginning regular intake.

Exfoliation

So, we already learned about how great diatomaceous earth can be for the skin when ingested, but it has external uses as well. The gentle scrubbing effects of DE make for great exfoliation for the entire body. For additional exfoliation, you can add it to products you already use on your face. In baths, DE serves as a full body scrub. It can also enhance your favorite cleansers and other bath products.

Constipation

Everyone suffers from constipation at some point. Products on the market can be ineffective or the opposite: too effective and uncomfortable! Taking diatomaceous earth is a great natural way to keep things moving. It promotes a healthy digestive system and regulates bowel movements. Take it regularly to receive the most benefit; popping a capsule after the fact won’t have much effect here.

Collagen

We already know collagen is great for hair, skin, and nails, but it has other health benefits as well. The extra collagen produced by diatomaceous earth can also boost metabolism, increasing weight loss. Furthermore, collagen supports healthy digestion and enables maximum absorption of key nutrients. It is also a useful ingredient to build cartilage and improve movement and reduce pain in the joints.

Energy Increase

Diatomaceous earth acts as a detoxifier within the body. Once a daily DE regimen has begun, a person may feel more tired over the first couple of days. After the detoxification process is complete, many people report feeling energized. The nutrient absorption, collagen production, and fat-ridding benefits of DE are all contributing factors to this increase of energy.

Other Uses

Diatomaceous earth is in a variety of products on the market. It is a highly effective ingredient for filtering water and is therefore often in water filters for pools and the home. Garden products containing DE fight pests and add nutrients to the soil. Its abrasive qualities make it useful in cleaning products, providing gentle scrubbing power. DE is also in many pest and rodent control products.