Zeolite: The Powerful Rock You Should Know Today

Detoxification, gastric reflux illness, hangover, inflammation, and oxidative stress are all factors to consider.

Zeolites are porous minerals formed deep beneath the earth’s surface by the fluctuating temperatures and pressures of volcanic rock. Adsorption, detoxification, inflammatory control, and antioxidant activities are provided by their ion exchange capability. Clinoptilolite is the most prevalent and well-studied zeolite. Furthermore, the in vivo safety profile of clinoptilolites has been extensively researched.

Read on to discover how these little rocks could be so powerful and so beneficial for your body.

What are Zeolites Made of?

Clinoptilolite’s porous, homogeneous structure is ideal for absorbing a wide range of chemicals. Because of the negative charge of clinoptilolite, sodium, potassium, calcium, and barium ions readily interchange with lead, ammonia, and nitrates. Contact with clinoptilolite crystals is filtered by water and other polar molecules. All of this is doable without requiring major structural changes.

Clinoptilolite’s ion exchange capacities and stability are determined by its silicon-to-aluminum ratio.

A higher silica ratio in zeolites, such as clinoptilolite, indicates improved acidic stability (i.e., the acidic pH of the stomach). Clinoptilolite is a zeolite composed of aluminosilicates.

Micronization is an important step in the formation of clinoptilolites’ beneficial characteristics.

Clinoptilolite ions grow into an “excited state” after micronization, with an increased surface charge and detoxifying capacity against toxins, radicals, ammonia, and heavy metals. Cellulose micronization can help to strengthen the intestinal wall and boost antioxidant activity.

Zeolite in Science Today

Sorbent’s clinical impact

1. Waste Elimination

Because of its reversible ion exchange (sodium for ammonia) and adsorption capability, clinoptilolite is an excellent detoxifier. Clinoptilolite reduced lead levels in mice experiments. Drinking water can be contaminated by lead in ancient pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures. In a human experiment conducted in 2021, pure clinoptilolite reduced blood and urine lead absorption from contaminated water. Two grams of pure clinoptilolite reduced lead absorption considerably. Clinoptilolite can also be used to eliminate ammonia from drinking water. 

2. NSAIDs and GERD

Clinoptilolite’s effect in gastroprotection has also been studied. Clinoptilolites were investigated in a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind experiment for their efficacy in treating GERD and NSAID stomach side effects. The data suggest that clinoptilolite may help with GERD symptoms such heartburn, discomfort, and pain, as well as NSAID side effects like mucosal erosion and stomach symptoms. Clinoptilolite’s positive effects on gastrointestinal symptoms may be due to its hydrogen ion, bioactive amine, and nitrate binding properties. This study suggests that clinoptilolite may lessen the need for proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are associated with negative side effects.

3. Overdrinking Alcohol

The symptoms of veisalgia, or “hangover,” are caused by excessive ingestion of ethanol-containing alcoholic beverages. When the liver is unable to rapidly digest and eliminate alcohol, it enters the bloodstream and spreads to all tissues. Clinoptilolite was studied for its ability to treat hangover symptoms (especially gastrointestinal distress, as well as headache, light sensitivity, lethargy, sadness, and thirst). Clinoptilolite could bind to ethanol before it enters the body and travels to the liver for alcohol dehydrogenase metabolism. This, like eating before drinking, lowers blood alcohol levels and ethanol absorption. Clinoptilolite’s downstream effects may lessen the severity of hangover symptoms caused by high blood alcohol levels. Clinoptilolite can also absorb bioactive amines like histamine, which increases with excessive alcohol use and causes hangover symptoms.

4. Inflammation Control

Inflammation is a normal bodily homeostatic activity that involves cells and messages. When inflammation persists after the primary cause has subsided, it becomes a concern. Immunomodulatory chemicals help the body maintain homeostasis by reducing inflammation.

Immune system interactions are involved in clinoptilolite immunomodulation. Clinoptilolite has been shown to interact with M cells in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), influencing cell-mediated inflammatory responses in the intestine. Clinoptilolite has been linked to increased B cell and IgA production (IgA). B cells produce antibodies, whereas IgA controls the immune response to gut flora.

The Bottom Line

It’s about time that we discuss zeolites in a scientific-forward approach. Now that the technicalities have been made clear to you, it’s no surprise that you are becoming increasingly interested in zeolites. What are you waiting for? Try zeolites today!

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