Hi Everyone, hope you’re all well and happy.
Just discovered DE a while back and wonder if any of my other green buddies are into it?????
Started giving it to my fur babies and feathered friends.
You might be wise to read some information about it from the skeptical viewpoint:
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=270399
In essence, it is chemically inert in the human. So it can’t really do anything. And we have small amounts anyway in toothpaste and flour, from a bit of reading. It’s quite good at killing insects by scratching the exoskeleton and dehydrating them. And apparently it’s used in pool filters too.
And here is a nice easy to read summary:
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-diatomaceous-earth.htm
The one you give to animals is totally different to the pool earth.
Tam said:
The one you give to animals is totally different to the pool earth.
I think you will find it is all the same chemical. A silicate. Fossil sea animals.
From the wisegeek link:
“While science fiction authors might suggest that fossils are best used to clone dinosaurs, diatomaceous earth shows us that fossils have a great number of uses in day to day living. Diatoms are tiny, single-celled algae found in plankton. Diatomaceous earth is a fine, white, crystalline powder made up of the fossilized shells of diatoms. Lightweight, gritty, and porous, it finds a surprising array of uses.”
Tam said:
The one you give to animals is totally different to the pool earth.
The type given to humans is.
roughbarked said:
Tam said:
The one you give to animals is totally different to the pool earth.
The type given to humans is.
from the wisegeeks link: .
Even though it is non-toxic, people should never attempt to treat themselves with diatomaceous earth, either externally or internally. Medical professionals use a special medical grade in cases in which it is used on patients.
Ok so now I’m more confused than ever…..would be nice to find some solid proof of pro’s
& con’s
Muschee said:
Ok so now I’m more confused than ever…..would be nice to find some solid proof of pro’s
& con’s
The pro’s are that if you want to filter your pool or clean your teeth.
Cons would be too much of anything may not be all that good for you.
ie; if a doctor prescribed it then it would be because the doctor thought you needed it.
Like a lot of supplements on the Web, it’s a good way of lining someone else’s pocket with money. I hadn’t heard of it for eating/supplementation, but a fly around medical websites only really found it used medically for treating worm infestations (I think). It is recognized as useful in some foods for particular uses and therefore not harmful:
—————————————————————————————————
“There is no evidence in the available information on aluminum calcium silicate, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, potassium silicate, sodium silicate, sodium aluminosilicate, sodium calcium aluminosilicate, tricalcium silicate, silica aerogel, and talc that demonstrates or suggests reasonable grounds to suspect a hazard to the public when they are used at levels that are now current or that might reasonably be expected in the future. There is no evidence in the available information on diatomaceous earth, silicon dioxides, sodium silicate, and talc that demonstrates or suggests reasonable grounds to suspect a hazard to the public when they are used as ingredients of paper and paperboard products used in food packaging in accordance with current practice. There is no evidence in the available information on sodium silicate and talc that demonstrates or suggests reasonable grounds to suspect a hazard to the public when they are used as ingredients of cotton and cotton fabrics used in dry food packaging in accordance with current practice. There is no evidence in the available information on diatomaceous earth and perlite that demonstrates or suggests reasonable ground to suspect a hazard to the public when they are used as filteraids in food processing at levels that are now current or that might reasonably be expected in the future.”
ref: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/SCOGS/ucm261274.htm
The FDA is the American Food and Drug people.
It would appear from the other links I’ve put up that the stuff is inert in the human gut. That means it does nothing. Chemically or otherwise. Like eating sand really.
So why would you supplement with it?
I know some people use it for their chooks as a parasite control, but I thought it was used externally not internally. It is abrasive on the hard shell of the parasite so that they die, but presumable has no affect on soft tissue?
I read to use it as dustbathing material, and then some years later (like the last 2 months) I read where it’s of no benefit as such…didn’t get into depth with it…
More information:
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html
You can link on to the references if you want.
It’s not absorbed by the body, just goes through.
By the way, looking at the ads from people selling this as a dietary supplement, so far I’ve found someone calling it ‘organic’ (it can’t be, no carbon) and another calling it ‘chemical free’. Huh? It’s silicates for goodness sake.
You should make sure you wear some form of respirator – or at least a dust mask when handling the dry product..
Silicosis not exactly the most fun thing in the world. I have no idea why someone would want to eat it.i