A lot of people think dirt is just dirt. But have you thought about what health benefits might be hidden in certain types of dirt? Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is one of those elements hidden in, or more precisely, below the dirt. DE isn’t just dirt; it is made of fossilized diatoms. DE is a type of microscopic algae that collected for thousands of years and is now found in dry lake beds and the bottom of ancient oceans. These diatom deposits are mined and ground into a fine, off-white powder known as diatomaceous earth. This amazing powder contains an assortment of trace minerals. But its main component is silicon dioxide, or silica, which is vital for our good health.
There are 2 types of DE:
1. Food-grade
2. Pool grade
FOOD GRADE DE meets safety standards outlined by the Food Chemicals Codex and is "generally recognized as safe" by the FDA for you and your pets to ingest and to use in your home. Food grade DE is mined from the bottom of ancient fresh-water lakes rather than from ocean bottoms.
Diatomaceous earth in its purest form is organic and safe to ingest and use around your home, children, and pets. In fact, DE has been used as pest control for thousands of years! Food-grade DE is the main active ingredient in Phleaz organic flea control lotion.
Because of its high silica content and trace minerals, people often take food grade DE as a health supplement and to detox. Its microscopically coarse texture gives your insides a gentle scrub as it absorbs toxins from your body. It’s also used as a facial scrub or mask, natural cleaning agent, grain preservative, garbage deodorizer, and as a special ingredient in DIY deodorants and soaps.
Food Grade DE is used to kill insects because it is naturally chemical-free making it a natural insecticide. Because of its structure, food-grade DE is used for this purpose. However, some companies add poisons to pest control grade DE to speed up the process of killing insects, but it not necessary.
Food-grade DE is a very effective way to fight off bed bugs, ticks, fleas, ants, and other bugs without using toxic chemicals. DE's bug-killing secret is in its physical structure – it’s so coarse and porous, it sticks to insects and absorbs moisture from their exoskeletons. Bugs die from dehydration after they have been exposed to DE for an extended amount of time. It works on some bugs in a matter of hours, while for others it can take a couple of days.
POOL GRADE DE is the second type of diatomaceous earth, which is quite different than food-grade as it is mined from the bottom of what was once ancient oceans. It is primarily used as a filtration aid in swimming pools. This type of DE is heated to extremely high temperatures, which causes it to crystallize. This crystalline silica can be very harmful to humans and pets if inhaled or ingested.
Health Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth
A medical study conducted in 1998 suggested that DE "is capable of reducing blood cholesterol and positively influencing lipid metabolism in humans." This is only one of the many potential benefits of using DE. Thousands of testimonials from people all over the world show that DE is influencing their health in positive ways.
Supplement and Detox
People take food-grade DE in water, smoothies, or juice to add more silica to the body and detox the digestive system. Its absorbent and mildly abrasive nature makes it capable of binding to heavy metals, toxins, and other junk, helping to expel them from the body. Its absorbent and mildly abrasive nature also helps with the detoxification process. At the microscopic level, DE is like mild sandpaper that moves through your system and scrubs off anything that shouldn't be there.
People who take DE internally report increased energy, decreased joint pain, better skin, thicker hair, improved digestive health, clearer thinking, and other improvements to their health.
To take DE internally, begin by taking one teaspoon in liquid daily at least one hour before or two hours after meals. You can increase your dose over time as your body gets used to taking it.
Some people experience flu-like symptoms when they first begin taking DE. This is caused by the toxins being dislodged and leaving your system. These symptoms should go away after a few days. If you experience constipation while taking DE, it's usually because you are taking too much or not drinking enough water. If these symptoms persist or get worse, reduce your DE intake, and drink more water. Some people see positive results within a few days of beginning their DE intake, but if it takes longer for you, that's okay. It can take several weeks or more.
Food grade DE also offers similar benefits for animals. It can be used as a pet dewormer. To use as a dewormer, simply add approximately 1 teaspoon of our food-grade DE to your dog's diet. Try this daily for a month!
Striving for Chemical-Free Living
Many people use diatomaceous earth in homemade deodorants, soaps, facial scrubs, toothpaste, and more. Because of its coarse, absorbent nature, it also makes a good cleaner for sinks, tubs, and tile floors. The ability to absorb moisture also makes it a great preservative for stored grain. People opt for these natural do-it-yourself solutions because they help eliminate the need for the harmful chemicals often found in commercial products. Remember to only use the food-grade DE.
NOTE: One of the most important precautions to take with DE is to make sure you get the right grade. Never ingest pool grade or use it around your home, pets, or children. Use food-grade DE for you and your pets and use a chemical-free pest control grade DE to kill pests around your home and yard.
Finally, be cautious about taking DE while you are on prescription medication. Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking DE internally.
Source: www.diatomaceousearth.com – What is Diatomaceous Earth.
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