Can zeolite supplements release toxic aluminum?

Zeolite is a mineral earth that has been used in many areas of industry and agriculture for a long time due to its very special chemical and physical properties. Mineral soil is also very suitable for water softening and wastewater treatment.

In capsule or powder form, it is also marketed as colon cleansing and detoxifying agent. Due to its porous structure and good ion exchange properties, mineral earth can bind to unwanted substances in the intestine and promote their elimination with the faeces.

Ion exchange means that Zeolite ions (for example, sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium ions) are released, while toxic heavy metal ions are absorbed.

However, since zeolite is an aluminum compound (it is an aluminosilicate), the voices that affirm that the zeolite is not suitable for internal consumption are repeated, since it loads the body with aluminum, which of course would be counterproductive to detoxification.

Is zeolite safe?

Frontiers in Pharmacology has published a review on the health and safety effects of clinoptilolite (i.e., zeolite) based mineral clays when used, for example, for detoxification.

It is often claimed that the acidic environment of the stomach could dissolve aluminum from the mineral soil. This is correct, according to the study: aluminum dissolves in certain amounts of the zeolite and can therefore also be detected in faeces.

Zeolite aluminum does not enter the blood

However, aluminum does not appear to enter the bloodstream or accumulate in the body, as both a study in rats and a study in athletes have shown.

In the study of athletes, 52 received 1.85 g of zeolite or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Several markers were checked before starting the intake and after the 12 weeks had elapsed. Zonulin levels (a marker of leaky gut syndrome) were found to be significantly improved in the zeolite group. IL-10 levels were increased in this group. IL-10 is a messenger substance in the body that inhibits excessive immune reactions and can therefore also protect against autoimmune processes. AND there was no increase in aluminum levels in the blood.

Natural and synthetic zeolites

Aluminum only enters the bloodstream when synthetically produced zeolite (so-called zeolite A) is administered. This is because zeolite A it is generally less stable than natural zeolites.

Natural zeolites did, in fact, reduce the aluminum load in blood and bone in the rat study mentioned above; instead, the aluminum content in the blood increased after the administration of a synthetic zeolite. The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) also refers to a study (with cows) in which zeolite A was used in its warnings on mineral soils.

Silicon reduces the bioavailability of aluminum

Although aluminum is released from the natural zeolite in the stomach, it does so as part of a compound with silicon and this reduces the bioavailability (ability to be absorbed) of the metal.

Silicon-rich water (or silicon as a dietary supplement) is also considered a means of removing aluminum from the human body.

Therefore, the natural zeolite with sanitary authorization for human consumption does not contribute to aluminum contamination, but rather helps to eliminate it.

How is zeolite taken?

It is convenient to start with a quarter or half teaspoon of natural zeolite once a day dissolved in a glass of still water. This amount can be gradually increased until taking two whole teaspoons dissolved in two glasses of water a day.

The treatment is carried out for a period of 10 days to 3 weeks. Then you can pause and continue. It is always preferable to take the zeolite under the supervision of a health professional.

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