What Is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous earth (D.E.) is the naturally occurring soft rock of the sediments that are created by the fossilized remains of diatoms on earth. Diatoms are microscopically seen as aquatic organisms belonging to the algae family. These are the unicellular algae and their skeletons are made of mainly the element of silica. When the fossils of these diatoms start accumulating within the rock sediments be it in oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and freshwater bodies, then the silica-containing deposits are mined for public industrial use commonly and this has been happening almost for hundreds of years commercially. As the diatoms are the concentrated source of silica, mining these deposits makes for the majority of industrial and food-grade diatomaceous earth.
Silica remains one of the most sought-after industrial elements and even in the food manufacturing industry, it holds a major importance given that it is an add-on to many commercial food products.
What Are the Differences Between Filter Grade and Food Grade Silica?
Though more widely used from a global perspective in industrial silica-based applications, even in the food-grade industry, diatomaceous earth is generally classified as safe by the FDA (Federation of Department of Agriculture). However, there is a major difference to note between the types of silica obtained. Both food-grade silica and industrial silica that is the filter-grade silica used for industrial purposes are completely different or rather distinct in their composition. While industrial diatomaceous earth comprises highest toxic amounts of silica meant only for industrial use, food-grade silica contains much lesser content that is processed usually rather like a collagen supplement.
Silicon dioxide or silica is one of the major sources yielded from sand, quartz, clay, and some living organisms in nature like diatoms, there are multiple benefits of silica-yielding sources both in the commercial and food manufacturing or processing fields.
The main difference between the toxic filter-grade diatomaceous earth which can be extremely harmful to the organ systems of mammals and the food-grade diatomaceous earth is in the purification process or removal of excess silica.
What Are the Food Sources of Silica?
Most individuals who would be possibly influenced by reading the purported benefits of diatomaceous earth in media or print would often resort to taking the silica-based food-grade supplement for improving health or immunity. According to health and nutrition experts, silica is a trace mineral that can be beneficial in the connective tissue metabolism of the body (similar to collagen) in terms of sustaining hair, nails, or skin and may strengthen even the bone or joints to some extent. These are only purported health benefits that have no deep-rooted scientific evidence as of now. Further, as this is a trace mineral only, lack of intaking this mineral would not make any difference to the systemic health according to experts. But the fact is that there is no nutritional basis nor any scientific evidence that has been validated to prove any research-based health benefits at all.
According to the advice by global health and nutrition experts, the recommendation for a generally balanced diet is to consume foods that can be a good source of silica, the essential trace mineral that can contribute to bone, nail, and hair health from the following sources:
- Legumes.
- Certain types of beans.
- Dried fruits.
- Bananas.
- Wheat.
- Lean meat products.
- Beer.
- Coffee.
- Tea.
- Dairy products.
- Mineral water.
- Spring water.
- Most plant-based proteins that are nuts and seeds.
- Oats.
- Rice (any variety).
Some health experts do propagate the fact about the possible potency of diatomaceous earth to eliminate human toxins and heavy metals from the gastrointestinal tract. This is believed according to some preliminary medical research to aid in body detoxification. Proponents of some manufacturers of food-grade diatomaceous earth further claim that the colon can be detoxified by the silica mineral benefits while also aiding in the frequency of bowel movements and it is digestive properties. However, there is absolutely no medical evidence yet that can prove these properties of food-grade diatomaceous earth.
What Are the Unfavorable Results, Safety Concerns, and Detrimental Effects of Occupational Hazards?
Commonly one can even come across the use of silicon dioxide in many hair and nail-based commercial products as well as in insecticides or pest repellants. Oral diatomaceous earth supplements have been widely publicized by some manufacturers for marketing their benefits in improving hair or nail strength or even in boosting immunity. Medical researchers have also investigated the possible benefits of taking diatomaceous earth supplements for weight loss. The results are absolutely unfavorable given that medical evidence shows taking more amounts of silica even through supplements, can neither increase energy nor aid in any weight loss, though some preliminary research shows it can lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol to some extent.
A major research study conducted on diatomaceous earth showed medical reports of inflammatory effects in the respiratory system that are directly on the lungs in workers dealing with food-grade diatomaceous earth. This also highlights the need for awareness among the workers who directly are exposed to food-grade diatomaceous earth, as it is an occupational hazard. Inhalation of crystalline silica can have an inflammatory and irritable effect scarring the lungs and predisposing individuals to the condition of silicosis.
Conclusion
Hence to conclude, though diatomaceous earth supplements have been in trend and propagated for their marketed health benefits, it is a scientific fact to be aware that these foods grade supplements cannot be beneficial In either weight loss, boosting immunity, or even in improving skin or hair health as such. Instead of depending on diatomaceous earth supplements, one can safely consume food sources of silica that have been enlisted above, which would be helpful to get the desired dose of the essential trace mineral. As reliable scientific evidence is lacking, health claims cannot vouch for the efficacy of diatomaceous earth supplements or food-grade diatomaceous earth.
