How Do Zeolites Detoxify the Entire Body?
Zeolite supplementation has proven to be one the most effective ways to remove toxins from the body quickly and safely. In fact, zeolite has a special ability to remove toxins gently without removing vital nutrients. Keep reading to learn more about how this natural mineral is the key to achieving overall health and wellness.
What are zeolites?
The name “zeolite,” coined in the 1700s by Swedish mineralogist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt, comes from the Greek meaning “boiling stone” because of the bubbles and steam that form on its surface when rapidly heated (the result of zeolite’s water content).
How Zeolites Work
The molecular structure of zeolites actually resembles a honeycomb. Each honeycomb-like cell or cavity in a zeolite is made of alumino-silicates matrix, carries an overall negative charge, and like a magnet, attracts positively charged particles. For charge stability, a zeolite attracts and carries positively charged ions such as calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and iron within it to balance out the negative charge.
Positively charged ions outside the zeolite structure, such as: heavy metals, free radicals, and unwanted sub-particles can also enter the porous zeolite by simply exchanging places with another less tightly bound ion already inside. This exchange of one particle for another with a greater affinity with the zeolite is what gives the compound its detoxifying properties. Essentially providing a two-for-one benefit, the exchange removes toxins from the body and replaces them with essential nutrients.
Zeolites are capable of selectively attracting and binding toxins and safely removing them before they negatively affect overall health. Not only do zeolites eliminate toxic buildup, they also enhance immune function, alkalize the body and improve metabolic function and nutrient absorption.
How long have zeolites been used to improve health?
Zeolites, particularly zeolite powder, have a long history of traditional medicine use dating back at least a thousand years. Records show that the zeolite has been a part of traditional remedies throughout Asia, and in a more recent example, zeolite powder was given to victims of the Chernobyl fallout to reduce radiation levels in their bodies. In fact, twenty tons of zeolite was dumped on Ukraine and Belarus to bind the radioactive Strontium and Cesium.
They have also been used for decades to improve the digestive health and weight gain of stock animals in Europe and the Mediterranean regions. They are now being recognized for their exceptional characteristics in promoting human health.
Today, we have technology to use zeolites in the form of a more effective liquid supplementation.
What scientific research exists to back up the health benefits of zeolite?
Although zeolite supplementation is relatively new on the health scene, the compound has been well researched by scientists who have found many tested medical and industrial uses for the mineral compound. Research into zeolite’s health benefits is currently expanding.
Promising research is currently underway regarding how zeolites bind and eliminate toxins, boost the immune system, improve GI discomfort and promote healthy blood sugar.
How does zeolite remove heavy metals from the body?
Zeolite’s negatively charged-matrix structure allows for the attraction, binding and removal of positively charged particles from the body through a process called “cation exchange.”
The binding affinity is based upon charge, size, weight and density of these ions.Once in the matrix, they are tightly bound and eliminated through the urinary tract from the body within hours. Meanwhile, nutrient minerals, like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, are larger and lighter, so when the zeolite binds onto a toxic particle, it leaves a healthy nutrient in its place.
What are antioxidants?
Removal of toxins and heavy metals requires antioxidant replenishment. Antioxidants protect cells and are crucial to your well-being and inhibit a process known as oxidation. Oxidation occurs because of, well, oxygen. Although oxygen is necessary for proper cell function, cellular processes involving oxygen to create energy result in oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical process that results in certain atoms losing electrons and becoming unstable. This is the same process that causes a coin to tarnish or a banana to turn brown.
These destabilized molecules are known as free radicals, and they can cause cellular damage by stealing electrons from healthy cells. In fact, between 1 and 3 percent of the oxygen we inhale results in the creation of free radicals, and our cells are exposed to billions of free radicals each day.
Oxidative stress can also be increased when we are exposed to pollution. Even regular exercise can increase oxidation. If they are not neutralized, they cause premature aging, immune dysfunction, and a myriad of health issues.
Some oxidative stress is dealt with using the body’s own internal defenses, but the best way to counteract the effects of oxidation is by using antioxidants found in foods, as well as supplements such as vitamins, and minerals. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals through the donation of an electron, thereby protecting the body from oxidative damage. Some of the more well-known antioxidants include vitamins C and E and foods such as Acai berry, Mangosteen, Goji, green tea, grapes and pomegranates..
The Antioxidant Properties of Zeolite
Zeolite is also considered to have antioxidant properties. Its structure not only traps toxins such as heavy metals, but also free radical molecules. However, unlike classic antioxidants, zeolites do not neutralize free radicals by donating an electron to stabilize them. Instead, the structure of the zeolite is such that it captures the free radical and locks it safely away so that it cannot harm the body. Once trapped in the zeolite, the inactivated free radical can then safely be eliminated from the body.
Although zeolite may be an effective antioxidant, it should not replace traditional antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C and glutathione, which promote optimal health in more ways than just fighting free radicals. For optimal antioxidant effect, consider using zeolite along with traditional antioxidants for a synergistic effect.
Zeolite & the Immune System
Zeolite boosts immune function, which protects the body and helps it fight invaders. By interfering with invaders themselves and boosting immunity, zeolite may offer the right combination of safe, natural immune support necessary for optimal health. And because zeolite removes toxins from the body, the immune system becomes less burdened and thus, is more likely to be healthier and better able to deal with said invaders.
Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that zeolite also has immunomodulatory effects. What does this mean? Basically, the chemical composition of zeolite may actually have nonspecific immune-stimulating effects, helping the immune system to be more effective.
Zeolite & healthy blood sugar levels
Research on using zeolite supplements for this purpose is encouraging. Since the glucose molecule carries a positive charge (though it is too large to fit inside the zeolite’s cavities), it will attach itself to the outside of the negatively charged zeolite.
Zeolite’s ability to effectively absorb excess glucose and, as a result, help regulate blood sugar levels makes it a great resource for those who must closely watch their blood sugar levels.
Zeolite & the body’s pH levels
Zeolite’s chemical makeup and its ability to attract excess Hydrogen ions based upon the concentration gradient helps support a healthy body pH, which can affect gastrointestinal health and overall cellular function.
Zeolite & Nutrient Absorption
Zeolite’s digestive benefits have been well researched, and zeolite has been used with positive effect to treat GI discomfort. In one animal study, zeolite supplementation was able to improve the symptoms of GI discomfort in test subjects. Later human studies confirmed zeolite’s benefit in treating acute diarrhea symptoms and led to the approval of a pharmaceutical drug for this use called Enterex.
Zeolite supplementation promotes healthy digestion and encourages nutrient absorption. The reason for this is believed to be related to zeolite’s ability to capture ammonium ions during digestion, creating a more friendly and less toxic digestive system that is better able to absorb nutrients during digestion. It may also balance the pH of the digestive tract, creating an optimal environment for beneficial microflora in the digestive tract. Also, the binding of heavy metals that compete for the same receptors in the gut provide for increased absorption and assimilation of the nutrient minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium and Iron. With a healthy, balanced digestive system, it is only natural that incidents of GI discomfort are reduced. And since the body is better able to digest, absorb and assimilate essential nutrients when the intestinal tract is functioning properly, the overall health of the body will improve as well.
Zeolite & Healthy Allergen Response
Some researchers believe that zeolite may also support a healthy allergen response by trapping toxins that contribute to seasonal discomfort.
Zeolite Helps Combat Aging
Zeolite’s ability to reduce toxic overload and its antioxidant properties may also prove beneficial in the fight against aging. Exposure to damaging oxidation and toxins interferes with metabolic functions and cellular repair. Detoxifying the body with a health-promoting supplement like zeolite helps to offset these effects and supports the body’s reparative and regenerative functions to help the body looking and feeling young and healthy.
Healthy Living with Zeolite
Does zeolite sound too good to be true? Because zeolite is not commonly used in traditional medicine, this information about zeolite may be new to you. It is absolutely essential to consider how natural health and zeolite supplementation can greatly improve your overall health and wellness. It therefore becomes the job of the discerning consumer to be proactive and educate themselves and their health providers about new proven ways to enhance health.
Learn how to detoxify the entire body with zeolite.