Diamatious Earth, Has Anyone Tried It?

[PreschoolTeacher43]

I'm wondering if anyone has tried using diamatious earth to help with gut healing? I can't seem to find any info directly related to it and celiac.

[GFinDC]

Hi,

 

I tried DE for a short while, but didn't notice any improvement from it.  I think it's main claim to fame is as a treatment for parasite infections.  Not for general healing.  I don't know if it works for parasites or not, but it seems possible it would.

[PreschoolTeacher43]

Hi Paul,

 

Thank you for your input, I was worried it might cause problems of some sort with the damage from celiac already there.  I have no symptoms of the celiac, it was found while trying to figure out problems after a surgery, so it's hard for me to know what's working or not. 

 

Thanks again,

Lisa Marie

Hi,

 

I tried DE for a short while, but didn't notice nay improvement from it.  I think it's main claim to fame is a a treatment for parasite infections.  Not for general healing.  I don't know if it works for parasites or not, but it seems possible it would.

[GottaSki]

We were not designed as primary consumers of DE.  I am trying to consider where it may be advantageous and must admit -- am at a loss.  Can you educate me?

 

Thanks

[GFinDC]

You are welcome Lisa Marie.  I didn't notice any benefit or any harm form the DE myself.  I didn't feel worse or feel better after taking it.  It turned out for me that my symptoms were caused by various foods I was eating, and once I got those foods out of my diet my symptoms went away.  Not having any symptoms is trickier I think.  We have several members of the forum who have "silent celiac" (no  symptoms),  So it does happen.  Sometimes people start out with no symptoms and then develop symptoms after they have been gluten-free for a while too.  Celiac is a really variable disease symptom wise.  They say that celiac is sometimes triggered by a stress of some sort to the body.  Many people have the genes for it but only a small percentage actually develop the autoimmune response (celiac disease).

 

If you are just starting out on the gluten-free diet, it is best to stick with whole foods that you cook yourself.  Stay away from restaraunts and keep your meals simple.  We are happy to help with answering any questions you have.  We all have been there ourselves to some extent anyway.

 

Hi LIsa,

 

The Wiki below has lots of info on DE.  It doesn't go into the possible health benefits though.  I am not so sure about health benefits myself.  They do put DE in livestock feed though so I don't think it is harmful to eat.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

 

[Takala]

DE works on the exterior of furry/feathery animals as way to kill external insect pests, like fleas, because it cuts into their exo skeletons and they dehydrate.  Animals lick themselves when self- grooming, so it obviously doesn't harm them internally, but I don't think this is going to help otherwise.  You have to be careful when applying it, don't get downwind, because it will scratch your eyeglass lenses really badly if you get the dust on them and don't carefully rinse it off.  DE works well as a non toxic home flea remedy if you clean out the pet's sleeping crates with an alcohol solution, like mouthwash, let it dry, then put the freshly DE dusted pet in to "dust" the crate.  Cats are sort of notorious for hating flea treatments, while at the same time being a great flea carrier, so if you treat all the dogs living with the cat, you can still put a serious dent in you indoor flea lifecycle, especially if you then vacuum a day later.  Now, if the fleas the animals were carrying had parasites, then this is a way to kill those fleas, the host carrier of the parasite, before your pet eats them while licking itself. 

 

But as for symptoms of IBS/leaky gut/celiac/gluten intolerance, while I've been exposed to all sorts of secondary diatomaceous earth dust, especially from pets who think it's funny to sneak into the bedroom and jump up on the bed after getting their dust powdering,   avoiding gluten and gluten cross contamination, and my few other foods I don't get along with, is what matters.  DE isn't going to change gluten protein so it doesn't cause a reaction in my gut, and I don't think I have internal parasites.   

[Lady Eowyn]

Hi

I didn't know you could use it for humans.

We use it for our chooks (hens) to control red mite/mites, etc. Dust the chook and put in their house and scratch/rolling holes in dry summer weather so they can dust themselves with it. I think they are ok eating a bit too.

Sorry, not much help.

[PreschoolTeacher43]

Thanks for all the information, It's much appreciated!  Several friends had told me about it prior to me knowing I had Celiac.  The website I found about human use is earthworkshealth.com    I was concerned about possible leaky gut and have not had any luck with my regular dr. regarding it.  Was just looking for ways to maybe help with that if yeast or parasites were a possible problem.  However, I sure didn't want to do something that would cause more of a problem!

 

Lisa Marie

[1desperateladysaved]

I heard not to play with your pet after dusting for fear that you will ingest a little.  Strange to think of eating it.

[indigoredster]

I will probably get some of hate responses for this but:

I believe from much research that Diatomaceous earth flours used in grains storage and food processing account for an increase in celiac like illnesses.

Real world Quality control is lacking and basically you get a quantity of basically silica-flour content. It is used also as a filler in many of the

products listed to avoid. It act as an allergen and abrasive to villi. And face it: if it kills insects and worms by abrading and moisture absorption, how

can it be good for you gut unless you do have a parasitic infection. There has not been enough study to prove its long term health impact and saying it is

non-toxic only implies that you dont have adverse affects in the short term.

 

read: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/NTP/Noms/Support_Docs/Silica%20flour_oct2009.pdf

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/jul98/sci0798.pdf ( even though this is a pro article it describes the toxicity mechanism on insects )

[Evil Barber]

I have been using DE  for about 2 years.  I don't really notice a difference until I forgot to take it.  When I miss a few days I end up not feeling as good.   It takes a couple of weeks to start working and should be gradually introduced to the diet.

[Lnyden]

On 5/1/2013 at 1:55 PM, indigoredster said:

I will probably get some of hate responses for this but:

I believe from much research that Diatomaceous earth flours used in grains storage and food processing account for an increase in celiac like illnesses.

Real world Quality control is lacking and basically you get a quantity of basically silica-flour content. It is used also as a filler in many of the

products listed to avoid. It act as an allergen and abrasive to villi. And face it: if it kills insects and worms by abrading and moisture absorption, how

can it be good for you gut unless you do have a parasitic infection. There has not been enough study to prove its long term health impact and saying it is

non-toxic only implies that you dont have adverse affects in the short term.

 

read: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/NTP/Noms/Support_Docs/Silica%20flour_oct2009.pdf

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/jul98/sci0798.pdf ( even though this is a pro article it describes the toxicity mechanism on insects )

Thank you for posting this! I think anyone with celiac should be harmed by diatomaceous earth!  I had a hunch after trying it for 5 days when all my celiac symptoms came back, that it was really just flour! It tastes like flour! For sure there is cross contamination!  This product should have a warning label on it for celiacs!

[Lnyden]

The first link no longer works.

[cyclinglady]

Welcome to the forum!  

Ah, the original posting is a few years old.  No wonder the link is no longer active.  ☹️  Why would you even eat this stuff!  (Just curious.....)

 

[MomOf4Boys n ManyAnimals]

I know this post is old, but I just happen to come across it and cant help but add a comment in hopes that anyone will see it and it will help you. I learned about DE when we got our first chickens last spring. So I bought a food grade bag for myself and the chickens. After reading so much from links posted on Amazon, I had to have it for myself. I turned 30 three years ago and have had digestive issues like IBS and sudden heavy hair loss also since I turned 30. In the last 14-16 months of taking it, my hair is so much healthier and so much less shedding. I can now eat basically anything and drink milk 90% of the time without my lactose intolerance flaring up at all. My parents and my sister have all been using it daily for about a year as well now. My moms blood pressure and heart medications have been cut backed and some no longer needed. My mom and sisters hair loss is very little also, and our hair - holy cow it grows crazy fast now!! In the last year its grown over 2 feet!! Which is crazy because my family has super slow growing hair. In October 2018 I cut 15" off my hair and it is now longer than it was before that cut!! We swear by Diatomaceous Earth!! My dad fell out 30 feet out of a tree with little injury (Thank God!!), but during all the CTs for this they discovered "stuff" on his liver. After further appts, scans and tests, the docs can't explain it. They say it's like his liver was covered in something whether it be an infection or cancer, but it has fully healed itself! His doctors think it may be related the the DE helping detoxify his body. Now we have a kid having serious and severe constipation problems and that is how we are treating it. With DE mixed with a little yogurt and juice in the morning.

Our 6 year old pitbull has osteosarcoma cancer, and along with daily pills, we are mixing DE in with her home cooked meals. This recommended by the holistic vet we are seeing. In our home, we found ants this summer so I sprinkled a light dusting of the DE in the area, and no more ants since. We love DE!! Make sure you buy the FOOD GRADE DE, and give it a try! It cant hurt you!

[cyclinglady]

12 hours ago, MomOf4Boys n ManyAnimals said:

I know this post is old, but I just happen to come across it and cant help but add a comment in hopes that anyone will see it and it will help you. I learned about DE when we got our first chickens last spring. So I bought a food grade bag for myself and the chickens. After reading so much from links posted on Amazon, I had to have it for myself. I turned 30 three years ago and have had digestive issues like IBS and sudden heavy hair loss also since I turned 30. In the last 14-16 months of taking it, my hair is so much healthier and so much less shedding. I can now eat basically anything and drink milk 90% of the time without my lactose intolerance flaring up at all. My parents and my sister have all been using it daily for about a year as well now. My moms blood pressure and heart medications have been cut backed and some no longer needed. My mom and sisters hair loss is very little also, and our hair - holy cow it grows crazy fast now!! In the last year its grown over 2 feet!! Which is crazy because my family has super slow growing hair. In October 2018 I cut 15" off my hair and it is now longer than it was before that cut!! We swear by Diatomaceous Earth!! My dad fell out 30 feet out of a tree with little injury (Thank God!!), but during all the CTs for this they discovered "stuff" on his liver. After further appts, scans and tests, the docs can't explain it. They say it's like his liver was covered in something whether it be an infection or cancer, but it has fully healed itself! His doctors think it may be related the the DE helping detoxify his body. Now we have a kid having serious and severe constipation problems and that is how we are treating it. With DE mixed with a little yogurt and juice in the morning.

Our 6 year old pitbull has osteosarcoma cancer, and along with daily pills, we are mixing DE in with her home cooked meals. This recommended by the holistic vet we are seeing. In our home, we found ants this summer so I sprinkled a light dusting of the DE in the area, and no more ants since. We love DE!! Make sure you buy the FOOD GRADE DE, and give it a try! It cant hurt you!

Not sure the FDA agrees with you.  Looks like they are cracking down on false claims and are concerned about safety.  This is just one company, but as a celiac, I would not consume DE.  

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/earthworks-health-560772-06072019

[kareng]

12 hours ago, MomOf4Boys n ManyAnimals said:

I know this post is old, but I just happen to come across it and cant help but add a comment in hopes that anyone will see it and it will help you. I learned about DE when we got our first chickens last spring. So I bought a food grade bag for myself and the chickens. After reading so much from links posted on Amazon, I had to have it for myself. I turned 30 three years ago and have had digestive issues like IBS and sudden heavy hair loss also since I turned 30. In the last 14-16 months of taking it, my hair is so much healthier and so much less shedding. I can now eat basically anything and drink milk 90% of the time without my lactose intolerance flaring up at all. My parents and my sister have all been using it daily for about a year as well now. My moms blood pressure and heart medications have been cut backed and some no longer needed. My mom and sisters hair loss is very little also, and our hair - holy cow it grows crazy fast now!! In the last year its grown over 2 feet!! Which is crazy because my family has super slow growing hair. In October 2018 I cut 15" off my hair and it is now longer than it was before that cut!! We swear by Diatomaceous Earth!! My dad fell out 30 feet out of a tree with little injury (Thank God!!), but during all the CTs for this they discovered "stuff" on his liver. After further appts, scans and tests, the docs can't explain it. They say it's like his liver was covered in something whether it be an infection or cancer, but it has fully healed itself! His doctors think it may be related the the DE helping detoxify his body. Now we have a kid having serious and severe constipation problems and that is how we are treating it. With DE mixed with a little yogurt and juice in the morning.

Our 6 year old pitbull has osteosarcoma cancer, and along with daily pills, we are mixing DE in with her home cooked meals. This recommended by the holistic vet we are seeing. In our home, we found ants this summer so I sprinkled a light dusting of the DE in the area, and no more ants since. We love DE!! Make sure you buy the FOOD GRADE DE, and give it a try! It cant hurt you!

Sounds like spam or some such nonsense to me.  

[Talavar]

On 10/12/2019 at 10:40 PM, cyclinglady said:

Not sure the FDA agrees with you.  Looks like they are cracking down on false claims and are concerned about safety.  This is just one company, but as a celiac, I would not consume DE.  

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/earthworks-health-560772-06072019

Rekindling this old post because I just started a trial of DE, but the FDA does this to every home remedy.  They complain about anything they haven't yet approved.. They also did this with the herbal meds my doctor has me taking for liver cleansing along with my proton pump inhibitors. When I brought it up to him, he said to "just ignore them, They don't like natural remedies." Anyway, for posterity I'll drop a note later to fill in on any improvements or lack there-of for future readers of this article.

[Scott Adams]

@Talavar welcome to the forum! Are you a diagnosed celiac, and are you taking diatomaceous earth to help you recover?