| The physiological importance of zeolite |
Zeolite is a porous crystalline substance. The pores and cavities in this substance are negatively charged and naturally bound to positively charged molecules such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), hydroxy groups (OH-) or water (H2O). These ligands can easily be exchanged with other cations (positively charged molecules); the main effect of zeolite is based on this exchange process. Clinoptilolite zeolite in particular is praised for its outstanding properties as a filter and adsorber of pollutants.
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| The differences between adsorption and absorption |
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The effect of zeolite is based on the so-called adsorption. Adsorption is the accumulation of substances on the surface of a solid. It should not be confused with absorption, where substances penetrate into the interior of a solid or liquid. After oral supplementation, zeolite is not absorbed in the intestine, but passes through our digestive system and adsorbs specific pollutants. Neither zeolite itself nor the harmful substances bound to it are absorbed in the intestine. Instead, the zeolite with the bound pollutants leaves the body completely. What kind of pollutants or heavy metals with what affinity in the gastrointestinal tract are bound to zeolite is shown by so-called sorption series (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6):
Cs > K+ > NH4+ > Pb2+ > Ag+ > Ba2+ > Na+ > Ca2+ > Li2+ > Cd+ > Cu2
Pb2+ > Co+ > Cu2+ > Ag+ > Cd+ > Zn2+ > NH4+
Ba2+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Cd2+
Sr2+ > Co2+
Pb2+ > Cd2+ > Cs+> Cu2+ > Co2+ > Cr3+ > Zn2+ > Ni2+ > Hg2
Co2+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Mn2+
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| The most stable type of zeolite |
When choosing a zeolite product, clinoptilolite should be preferred to other types of zeolite, such as zeolite A or heulandite. Zeolite A and Heulandite are more unstable than clinoptilolite at elevated temperature and acid exposure. There is therefore a risk of unwanted release of metals after contact with gastric acid. Clinoptilolite zeolite shows a high heat resistance (up to 750 °C) as well as acid stability. Clinoptilolite zeolite owes this stability to its high silicon content (1).
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| Zeolite reduces ammonium concentrations in the gut |
Studies show that a high-protein (and low-carbohydrate) diet changes the distribution of bacterial populations. This can lead to an increased pathogenic and pro-inflammatory bacterial profile, reduced production of short-chain fatty acids and increased concentrations of ammonia, phenols and hydrogen sulphide in the intestinal tract. In the long term, this can lead to permanent inflammatory changes in the colon epithelia, which also affect intestinal motility. Furthermore, the fermentation of excess protein is discussed in pathophysiology in connection with severe flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer(7). Due to the very high binding affinity of zeolite to ammonium, ammonium concentrations in the intestine can be significantly reduced. Results from animal studies also clearly showed that clinoptilolite zeolite reduces the negative effects of nitrate-rich water and its effects on protein metabolism. At the same time, the addition of zeolite also leads to higher nitrogen concentrations in the faeces without negatively affecting normal protein metabolism (1).
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| Zeolite binds mycotoxins |
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In-vitro and in-vivo studies have confirmed the protective effects of zeolite on mycotoxins, and Nutritively valuable ingredients such as amino acids, vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium and other minerals are also not adsorbed to zeolite, or only to a very small extent, and there is no reduction in serum concentrations (1).
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| Zeolite reduces Veisalgia or hangover symptoms after high alcohol consumption |
Typical symptoms of a "hangover" include headaches, nausea and hypersensitivity to light and noise. In addition, lethargy, dysphoria and a strong feeling of thirst can also occur. In a 2015 placebo-controlled cross-over study, zeolite was found to be an evidence-based "hangover killer". The study participants were given either zeolite or a placebo after excessive alcohol consumption. The next morning, the test persons had to fill out a questionnaire that recorded the severity of the hangover symptoms, and the hangover symptoms that occurred the following day were reduced by about 50%. The positive effect can be explained by the adsorption of zeolite to H+ ions, pepsin and histamine, which leads to a reduction in heartburn, gastrointestinal symptoms and nausea. The reduction of headaches and hypersensitivity to sensory impressions is also attributed to this (8).
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| Zeolite shows potential in dyslipidemia |
In 2017, a group of researchers from Serbia investigated whether the properties of zeolite can also be used in the therapy of an unfavourable lipid profile. They suspected that zeolite could intervene in critical steps of the cholesterol metabolism because of its properties as an ion exchanger. On the one hand, clinoptilolite is thought to worsen the overall environment for cholesterol absorption by influencing the degree of ionisation, pH and buffering capacity of digestive secretions. On the other hand, zeolite is also thought to complex bile acids and thus interfere with the micelisation of intestinal cholesterol, which ultimately reduces cholesterol absorption in the enterocytes. The authors also expected positive effects on LDL cholesterol levels. The overall reduced transport of cholesterol to the liver is believed to upregulate hepatic LDL receptors. These cause an increased LDL uptake into the liver cells and a simultaneous reduction of LDL cholesterol concentrations in the blood. In fact, supplementation with zeolite of varying degrees of grinding reduced both total and LDL cholesterol highly significantly, while simultaneously lowering triglyceride levels. The respective reductions were 15.6% for total cholesterol, 19.3% for LDL cholesterol and 18.3% for triglyceride levels. In addition, HDL cholesterol increased highly significantly by almost 20%. However, these effects were only detectable as long as zeolite was supplemented; as early as six weeks after discontinuation of the preparation, baseline concentrations were restored and thus the positive effect was cancelled. The degree of grinding of the zeolite powder also had a strong impact on the results of the study: The finer the zeolite powder was, the stronger the effects on the lipid profile and the longer they lasted. (9).
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| Reduction of zonulin and the positive influence of leaky gut |
A randomised placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with endurance athletes showed that zeolite also supports intestinal permeability and counteracts leaky gut. Long-distance runners and triathletes in particular often have gastrointestinal problems after long periods of physical activity. Typical symptoms are nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea, which are often accompanied by increased permeability of the intestinal wall. A 12-week supplementation with 1.85 g zeolite per day reduced the zonulin level by approx. 30 % and thus strengthened the intestinal barrier. The protein zonulin is the measuring parameter for the function of the intestinal tight junctions. The exact mechanism of the positive effect of zeolite in the indication of leaky well has yet to be clarified; potential anti-inflammatory effects as well as a supportive effect due to the adsorber properties of clinoptilolite are suspected (10).
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| Reduction of diarrhoea |
A zeolite-based drug has been developed in Cuba and several clinical trials have been carried out to obtain approval for the treatment of diarrhoea. One of them examined the effects of zeolite on acute diarrhoea following food poisoning (n=443). Within 24 hours, 76% of the volunteers had no diarrhoea; the remaining 24% experienced the effect within 36 hours. Another study showed that zeolite is similarly effective as standard therapy with tetracyclines for rotavirus-induced diarrhoea (11).
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| Reflux symptoms and side effects of NSAID therapies |
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastroenterological diseases and is widespread. Prevalence and incidence have increased sharply in recent decades. The prevalence is up to 26% of the European population and occasional heartburn is much more common. Participants in the ENGORD study had severe heartburn and received either 2.25g of zeolite or a placebo over a 14-day period. At the end of the intervention, the zeolite group showed strong improvements, with heartburn episodes significantly reduced by 44%, discomfort by 54% and pain by 56% compared to the placebo group. The results of an NSAID study were similarly successful. All participants received 1000 mg of naproxen daily, half of the subjects also supplemented 4.5 g of zeolite, and the other half took a placebo. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the administration of zeolite reduces mucous membrane damage caused by NSAIDs. With success: the supplementation of zeolite led to 44% less mucosal damage than in the placebo group. These effects are explained by a simple binding of H+ ions as well as pepsin to the complex structures of zeolite. Furthermore, the adsorption of histamine and the associated reduction of collateral tissue damage could also play a role. Zeolite could also compensate for the imbalance between the gastric secretion of Na+ and H+ ions by releasing Na+ ions as an important cation exchanger and in return adsorbing H+ ions, which would lead to a reduced acid load and a reduction in symptoms (12)(13).
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| Heavy metal rejection |
| Due to its strong adsorptive properties, zeolite is capable of binding heavy metals irreversibly or with a very high binding affinity. This effect is used in medicine especially in the context of heavy metal intoxications, such as those of mining workers. For example, a 2009 publication examined the effects of zeolite supplementation on the excretion of various toxic compounds, including aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. As a result of the intervention, the heavy metal concentrations in the urine rose steadily, with the highest concentration being measured on the fourth day - an average four-fold increase compared to the initial concentration. After that, urine concentrations fell steadily, while heavy metal levels in the control group remained constant. At the same time, the serum levels of e.g. potassium, magnesium and calcium remained unchanged, which underlines the fact that the use of zeolite has no side effects( 14). A further observational study examined the effect of 5 g zeolite per day over a period of five days on the excretion of 20 different heavy metals via the urine. The study showed that the majority of the test persons showed an increased heavy metal excretion rate of at least 50%. Particularly noteworthy are the greatly increased excretion rates of arsenic and thallium, which had each increased by 119%(15). A large number of other studies confirm that clinoptilolite zeolite is an effective and low side-effect option for the targeted excretion of heavy metals (16)(3). |
