I have been using a raw mineral form of Zeolite for several years. Being in the raw, ground form, and not being diluted in a liquid acid base seems to be the best use of this mineral. Below I have found information from Sloan-Kettering which is very interesting.
Clinical Summary
Zeolites are a group of chemically related mineral substances that contain mainly hydrated aluminium and silicon compounds. They occur naturally in volcanic rock and ashes. Synthetic forms are available for industrial uses. They are also used as additives in animal feed. Zeolites have a fine porous cage-like structure and are often used as adsorbents, desiccants, detergents, and as water and air purifiers. They are applied in medicine as an external hemostatic dressing (2) (3), for diarrhea (4), diabetes (5) and as suspending agents (6). The effect of zeolites for autism is under investigation (7). Zeolites have been marketed as dietary supplements for hangover (8) and as adjuvant therapy for cancers (9). It is unclear if they are absorbed in the intestine or if they have any systemic effects. Since zeolites have chelating properties and may increase the pH in the gastrointestinal tract, they can potentially interact with many prescription drugs when consumed together. Exposure to airborne zeolite dust has been associated with high incidence of malignant mesothelioma (10) (11). Due to lack of data supporting its efficacy and safety, the use of zeolites as antitumor supplements is not recommended.
Special Point: A company has filed a U.S. patent application on using a form of synthesized zeolite as a cancer drug (21). Data submitted were based on in vitro, plant, and animal studies. The patent specified that the substance must be injected directly into the tumor. This rules out any benefits by oral route.The company cited financial reasons and decided to market the product as a dietary supplement. Zeolites have never been studied as cancer drugs in humans.
Purported uses
Treatment of diarrhea
Anticancer therapy
Antioxidant
Immunoenhancer
Mechanism of Action
Zeolites have ion-exchanging and adsorption properties. Zeolite granules, when used externally on wounds, can stop bleeding and promote clotting through the absorption of water (2) (3). Zeolites are thought to adsorb pathogenic microbials, glucose, and alcohol in the stomach and intestine and have been proposed for use in diarrhea (4), diabetes (5), and hangover (8) . Due to their alkaline nature, zeolites have pH buffering effects. They can adsorb nitrosamines in acidic solution (12) leading to claims that they can also be used as anticancer treatment by removing carcinogenic substances in the stomach. However, such effects have not been substantiated in humans. A few in vitro studies indicate that micronized zeolite inhibited protein kinase B; and induced expression of tumor suppressor proteins (9). In animal studies, micronized zeolite product was shown to reduce metastasis and increase the effect of doxorubicin due to its antioxidant property (13). It also increased peritoneal macrophages after intraperitoneal application and stimulate graft-versus-host reaction (14). Precise mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. Micronized zeolite can affect brain serotonergic receptors activities of mammary carcinoma bearing mice (15). However, the clinical implication of this effect in humans is unclear. Zeolite supplementation did not prolong survival in tumor-bearing animals (16). Zeolites may have both immunosuppressing and immunostimulating effects. In animal studies, they caused decline of GM-CFU in the bone marrow (16) but increase graft-versus-host (GvH) reaction (14). Zeolite products have other benefits when used in animal feed: they increase mineral utilization (17), reduce heavy metals induced anemia (18) and reduce aflatoxin toxicity (19). None of these benefits are applicable to humans.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Zeolites have stable structures and are not broken down in the gastrointestinal tract when taken orally. In animal studies using silicon and aluminium as markers, zeolites were shown to be poorly absorbed following oral administration. The amount of aluminum detected in the plasma was less than 0.1% of IV infusion(1). It is unclear if the dosage used in zeolite supplements would have any systemic effects.
