Over the past two years..., I have gotten more inquiries about DE for human consumption than on all other calls combined. In Asia and Europe, DE is sold widely as a health and beauty product for  hair, nails, skin, and bones. Thanks to the FDA, we can make no such claims, but we can state that our Fossil Shell Flour is GRAS (generally regarded as safe) for human consumption. In addition, it is Certified Organic by OMRI.

If you are considering DE for human consumption, I urge you to download Galen Knight's excellent article below. By the way, for over three years now, I have been taking a heaping teaspoon of DE with water every night before bed and have had no ill effects because of it. An associate of mine has been taking it for over 30 years and is now in his late 80s. He is still in terrific shape and has never once suffered any ill effects from the DE.

Many of our daily users claim that since they started taking DE, they have had more regularity with their bowel movements than ever before in their lives. They also claim that their colonoscopies have shown that they are "clean as a whistle" and appear to be in no danger of colon cancer.

I suggest that if you plan to take DE, that you mix 1 heaping teaspoon with water before bed. It may be mixed with any beverage or sprinkled in oatmeal or other foods, but we have found that  when mixed with 8 oz. of water and then followed up with another glass of water is very easy to take and has no bad taste. I also enjoy it with smoothies and it is a great way to get your kids to take it regularly.

Listed with the Organic Materials Review Institute.         

 

Read these recent testimonials: Charlene Rowley  - Arthritis Gone Here is another testimonial I received in June, 2006. It is a horribly traumatic diary of a woman's effort to eliminate parasites with the help of Fossil Shell Flour. - Katherine in Oregon, age 45.

Order Now

Dear Sir or madam
Do you have a spec sheet listing the amount of silica and trace
minerals in your fossil shell flour and the daily requirement for humans, cats and dogs, thanks -

This is a terrific question. Here is the simple answer.

Our Perma-Guard Fossil Shell Flour is Pure Freshwater Diatomaceous Earth.
It is of the highest quality available, being greater than 99.5% amorphous silica and less than 1/2% crystalline silica.
For a breakdown of the trace elements, go to  http://www.vitaletherapeutics.org/deanlsbw.htm
Here is another page which may help understand what our DE is - http://freshwaterorganics.com/what_is_de.htm
The requirements for cats and dogs (as well as people and other animals) is 2% of the dry weight of the food.

Generally speaking, here are the "dosage" guidelines. Adjustments can be made based on your own experience and the weight of the animal. Our DE is GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe by the FDA, so there is no harm of "overdose")

Human (Adult) - 1 heaping teaspoon per day. We mix it with water before bed. It can also be mixed with smoothies, or any non-carbonated beverage.
Child - 1/2 - 1 level teaspoon per day.
Large Dog (retriever) - 1 level teaspoon per day.
Small Dog (poodle) - 1/2 tsp per day.
Cat - 1/2 tsp per day.
Cow - 1/2 cup per day
Calf - 1/4 cup per day
Horse 1/2 cup per day

For large animals, DE may also be offered "free choice" as long as dispenser is protected from wind.

Safety considerations
The absorbent qualities of diatomaceous earth can result in a significant drying of the hands if handled without gloves.

The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica. Crystalline silica (silicon dioxide) poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis and can eventually lead to cancer. Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Food-grade diatomaceous earth  contains very low percentages of crystalline silica. 

 Download the Label for DE for Human Consumption - Silica Connection

Download - Effects of DE on the Immune System

Read what Dr. Galan D. Knight, Ph.D. , of Vitale Therapeutics, Inc. has to say about DEtoxifying with DE.

On this page, I will share some information that I have gathered on DE for human use. It is from various sources.

"Congested bowels are ideal breeding places for nutrient draining, disease-causing parasites. Parasites use your body as a host and live off you. Bacteria, fungi, virus and protozoa will infect you as well as infest you, but worms are the most harmful.. They range from pinworms, roundworms, hookworms to tapeworms."

The following article is from an Austrian study using Diatomaceous Earth in cholesterol studies.

Diatomaceous  earth lowers blood cholesterol concentrations. 

Wachter H, Lechleitner M., Artner-Dworzak E, Hausen A, Jarosch E, Widner B, Patsch J, Pfeiffe K, Fuchs D  

Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry,  University of Innsbruck,  Fritz Pregl Strasse 3, Innsbruck, A-6020, Austria.

In this study a potential influence of diatomaceous earth to lower blood cholesterol was investigated. During 12 weeks we monitored serum lipid concentrations in 19 healthy individuals with a history of moderate hypercholesterolemia (9 females, 10 males, age 35-67 years). Individuals administered orally 250 mg diatomaceous earth three-times daily during an 8 weeks observation period. Serum concentrations of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides levels were measured before study entry, every second week during the period of diatomaceous earth intake and 4 weeks after stop of intake. Compared to baseline (285.8 +/- 37.5 mg/dl = 7.40 +/- 0.97 mM) diatomaceous earth was associated with a significant reduction of serum cholesterol at any time point, reaching a minimum on week 6 (248.1 mg/dl = 6.43 mM, -13.2% from baseline; p<0.001). Also low–density lipoprotein cholesterol (week 4: p<0.05) and triglycerides levels decreased (week 2: p<0.05, week 4: p<0.01). Four weeks after intake of diatomaceous earth was stopped, serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides still remained low and also the increase of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol became significant (p<0.05). Diatomaceous earth, a byproduct, is capable of reducing blood cholesterol and positively influencing lipid metabolism in humans. Placebo-controlled studies will be necessary to confirm our findings.

 Information on Diatomaceous Earth for Humans.

In a paper entitled, "A Back To The Future Product"  By David Pittman, written  10/77/99 -

Pittman attests to many years of immune system research.

He states that weak immune systems have some "common threads of similarities present"

First, some type of parasite, bacteria, fungus, or virus, has found conditions ripe enough to live part time or long tern within the body. Second, people with chronic diseases have weak immune systems and almost always have digestive system problems including many of these parasites and microbes. Third, these same people most likely have toxic deposits accumulating somewhere in the body. 

He suggests increasing one's pure water intake, and to start a 4 month silica detoxifying program. He shares that he

"rediscovered an amazing simple and low-cost ancient solution for eliminating parasites, toxins, and infectious diseases within the stomach, intestines, and colon." This amazing product comes from a fresh-water type of diatomaceous earth mined in Nevada under the Perma-Guard  label. The porous and cylindrical shape of these diatoms gives them the unique properties to rid the digestive system of parasites and undesirable microbes. I also found several patents related to the health and digestion benefits or this product. "Moreover, recent research indicates the high absorption properties this powdered material has on heavy metals and chemical toxins within the body. "

He warns that when you start detoxifying you may get a reaction from the die-off of parasites, microbes, etc. He urges to start out slow and drink lots of water.

He suggests warm distilled water is best, but  cold filtered water seems to work just fine. He recommends gradually increasing your dosage up to 3 level tablespoons per day and to continue this for 4 months. After this he recommends 1 level teaspoon once a day as maintenance.  While I don't agree with him or know if his study was based on anecdotal personal evidence or on a double-blind study, I will say that some folks find that using more in the beginning to be beneficial. I started with 1 heaping teaspoon per day and continue to take that amount daily. On occasion, I have experimented with a higher dose per day. My experience was that is seemed to dry-out the stools and make it more difficult to have a "regular, clean, bowel movement". I admit that this is only my personal experience. Since I have been using it, with the exception of those experiments, I have had regular bowel movements in the morning that give me the feeling that I have good, complete, regular elimination.

In Pittman's article, he also claimed that by using boiled distilled water, he was able to dissolve the diatomaceous earth. I have never tried that, but if that does indeed work, that might prove a  beneficial way to get silica into the bloodstream. 

FT

The following reports establish the virtues of Diatomaceous Earth as a parasitical, a digestive aid, and a container of trace mineral. 

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS OF FEEDING CODEX FOOD-GRADE
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO DOGS
O.C. Collins, DVM, Midland Animal Clinic and Hospital,
Midland, Texas

In clinical observations of feeding dogs over 35 lbs. 1 tablespoon/day, and dogs under 35 lbs. 1 teaspoon/day, of diatomaceous earth, within seven days all ova disappeared from stools. Diatomaceous Earth controlled Ascarids (Toxacara canis), Hookworms (Anclyostoma caninum), and Whipworms (Trichuris vulipis).

FIELD REPORT ON EXPERIMENTAL FEEDING OF CODEX FOOD-GRADE
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO ZOO ANIMALS
Richard Smith, Hallwood Inc., Animal Food Specialties,
Grand Rapids, Michigan

A mixture of feed incorporating 2% diatomaceous earth was sent to three zoos for evaluation. John Ball Park of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Brookfield Zoos of Chicago, Illinois; and Buffalo Zoo of Buffalo, New York. John Ball and Buffalo Zoos reported that their black bears on the special feed showed a better coat and clearer eyes. The primates fed at the Brookfield Zoo displayed a pronounced improvement in both appearance and behavior. Stool samples taken at all three zoos showed an absence of any internal parasites - adult or egg. Parasites in these animals were present prior to using the diatomaceous earth food mixture.

FIELD REPORT - FEEDING CODEX FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH (DE)
TO DAIRY COWS
J. S. Bunker, Bunker Farms,
Mesa, Arizona

After feeding 100 dairy cows on diatomaceous earth for approximately one year, the following results were noted: warbles became non-existent; fly nuisance almost completely disappeared; odors were almost completely gone; cows have better hair and coat condition and have no desire to lick soil as in the past; vet bills have been significantly reduced; butterfat content has risen from 503 lbs. per cow to 513 lbs. per cow.

This is our newest label -

 Download the Label for DE for Human Consumption - Silica Connection

Our food-grade diatomaceous earth is so pure that it is 100% OK for human consumption. It is considered safer than table salt or aspirin by the FDA.

Just mix 1 heaping teaspoon a day with water, juice, oatmeal, smoothie, or your power shake for health.

While the FDA does not allow us to make any claims regarding the human benefits for this product, we have many people who take it daily. In the future, I will post some of their testimonial letters.

Diatomaceous Earth has been available for years in Europe and Asia as a health and beauty product to strengthen hair, skin, nails, and bones. We can not make any such claims in the US without very expensive research and documentation. However, your letters of satisfaction and testimonials to your results are welcome and may help others to know the benefits that they might enjoy.    letters@freshwaterorganics.com