If it seems as if the world of wellness is taking it too far with this “eat dirt” concept, hold the phone. Diatomaceous earth is not technically dirt … depending on how you define dirt. It’s not, shall we say, dirty. Diatomaceous earth is actually powdered fossils—or rather, the “fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica.” Now you may wonder why the hell we might consume that. We’re about to tell you.
But before we satisfy your curiosity, we’ll start by saying that a lot of people actually use this around the house, scattered at windowsills and other perimeters to rid themselves of pesky bugs. That’s because the microscopic sharp edges of the powder actually shred the insides of insects. It’s essentially a non-toxic, pet-safe way to stop ants and spiders from making their way into your home.
That said, it can work similarly inside of humans, meaning it can help kill parasites inside us. Parasites leach off our nutrients. When we have diatomaceous earth in our systems, the parasites get a mouthful of micro-silica shards and can’t process it. They literally get torn up and die, which allows us to pass them. This doesn’t work on every type of parasite, but it’s effective in eliminating some of them.
To do the detox properly, we have to consume about 2 tablespoons of diatomaceous earth in about 16 ounces of room-temperature water. Drink the mixture on an empty stomach and at least 90 minutes before eating. This gives the particles plenty of time to set themselves up in our lower intestine before any bugs can have at your nutrients for the day. It also helps prevent an upset stomach.
But diatomaceous earth is much more than just the size of its particulate. Because it’s rich in silica, it’s believed to help detox our bodies from heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The reason these heavy metals are dangerous when they accumulate in the body is that they can disrupt the vital metabolic functions of vital organs and glands like the heart, brain, kidneys, bone, liver, and so on.
Another way that diatomaceous earth is useful as a superior source of silica is for treating high cholesterol levels, for constipation, and for improving the health of skin, nails, teeth, bones, and hair. Silica is a smart prebiotic for our gut health, as well as a facilitator of lowering dangerous lipid levels in the heart. It’s a known beauty mineral when it comes to skin and hair. Sure, we can take silica supplements. But diatomaceous earth is both affordable and natural, and it’s as simple as drinking a little extra water each day.
The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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