Your Health

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Facts & Information

Posted on by thehawthorn

Diatomite – Amorphous Silica

Diatomaceous EarthFood grade diatomaceous earth has many uses and excellent health benefits for humans, plants, and animals. The diatomaceous earth information below will tell you:

  • Some of the differences in grades of diatomaceous earth.
  • What food grade diatomaceous earth is and where it comes from.
  • Why it is important to use ONLY food grade diatomaceous earth.
  • Information on the many health benefits of food grade diatomaceous earth for people, pets, livestock, and plants.
  • How to use food grade diatomaceous earth to increase the health of your people, pets, livestock, and plants.
  • How to use food grade diatomaceous earth for naturally effective parasite control.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is the remains of microscopic one-celled plants (phytoplankton) called diatoms that lived in the oceans and lakes that once covered the western part of the US and other parts of the world. These deposits are mined from underwater beds or from ancient dried lake bottoms thousands of years old. This means, diatomaceous earth has an unlimited shelf life provided you keep it dry.

Diatomaceous earth is mined, milled, and processed into a myriad of types for a large variety of uses. Filtering and filler are two main uses but diatomaceous earth also ends up in paints, cosmetics, drugs, chemical insecticides, etc. Because the milling produces different sized and shaped particles, it is important not to use the filtering type for agricultural purposes.

Pool filter grade diatomaceous earth has been heat and chemically treated and will poison an animal or human who ingests it, so it is always of utmost importance to only obtain food grade diatomaceous earth to use in and around your household.

Diatoms (DE) are the grass of the oceans and lakes. Just as grass is the staple food of earth animals. Diatoms (algae) are the food of the ocean or fresh water grazers. Magnified 7000x, diatomaceous earth looks like spiny honeycombs.

Diatomaceous earth is USDA approved as an anti-caking agent for animal feed. Diatomaceous earth is FDA approved for internal and external use and has a rating of Food Chemical Codex Grade.

DEOur diatomaceous earth is organic OMRI listed Codex Food Chemical Grade. It is a non-treated, non-calcined fresh water Diatomaceous Earth. It is mined, crushed, sifted, bagged and pure white in color. It contains less than .5% silicon. There are food grade diatomaceous earth products that are yellow or tan in color which indicates a higher iron content. Those which are gray in color contain more clay.

INTERNAL PARASITE CONTROL: Food grade diatomaceous earth has been used for at least two decades as a natural wormer for livestock. Some believe diatomaceous earth scratches and dehydrates parasites. Some scientists believe that diatomaceous earth is a de-ionizer or de-energizer of worms or parasites. Regardless, people report definite control. To be most effective, food grade diatomaceous earth must be fed long enough to catch all newly hatching eggs or cycling of the worms through the lungs and back to the stomach. A minimum of 60 days is suggested by many, 90 days is advised for lungworms.

Food grade diatomaceous earth works in a purely physical/mechanical manner, not “chemical” and thus has no chemical toxicity. Best yet, parasites don’t build up a tolerance/immunity to its chemical reaction, so rotation of wormers is unnecessary.

*CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS OF FEEDING CODEX FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO DOGS, O.C. Collins, DVM, Midland Animal Clinic And Hospital, Midland, TX: “In clinical observations of feeding dogs over 35 lbs. 1 tbsp./day and under 35 lbs. 1 tsp./day of DE, within seven days all ova disappeared from stools. DE controlled Ascardis (Toxacara candies), Hookworms (Anclyostoma caninum), and Whipworms (Trichuris vulipis).”

*RESULTS ON FEEDING CODEX FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO WALKING HORSE, L. Thomas, Trainer, L. Frank Roper Stables, Winter Garden, FL: “With horses fed approximately 5 oz. of DE mixed in the feed twice daily, the following results were observed: Stopped scours even on horses that had not responded to any other medications. Noticeable fly reduction. Horses showed an increase in appetites. Weight gain due to better feed conversion. Reduction in manure odor. Elimination of any internal parasites. Healthier appearance.”

Daily recommended food grade diatomaceous earth feeding rates:

  • Kittens – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Cats – 1 teaspoon
  • Puppies – 1/2 to 1 tsp.
  • Dogs under 35 lbs. – 1 teaspoon
  • Dogs over 35 lbs. – 1 tablespoon
  • Dogs over 100 lbs. – 2 tablespoons
  • Cattle, Dairy Cows, & Hogs – 2% of dry feed ration
  • Chickens – 5% in feed
  • Goats, Sheep, Alpacas, & Llamas – 2% in grain
  • Zoo animals – 2% in daily feed
  • *Humans – 1 heaping tablespoon daily

Internal feeding of food grade diatomaceous earth helps eliminate most internal worms, including roundworms, pin worms, tapeworms, etc. It’s also excellent when fed daily to keep down fly loads, since food grade diatomaceous earth is eliminated from the body, exactly the way it went in, it helps reduce the manure odor and kills flies that come in contact with it.

Mix in animal feed or grain and/or feed free choice. Our goats, fowl, and dogs eat it free choice.

*Some recommend to dose humans by mixing food grade diatomaceous earth in a glass of water before bed or first thing in the morning, well before breakfast, to allow diatomaceous earth time to move through and absorb toxins from ones digestive tract without interfering or absorbing nutrients from foods or liquids. Some report great results consuming 1 tsp. in a glass of water prior to each meal, 3x/day.

If fecal counts are not zero for worms and ova after feeding DE for 30 days, increase the daily dose. Feeding too small a dose of DE will not give desired results. Increasing the dose, even if greater than the above recommendations, will not harm anyone. Some horses do fine on 1/2 cup of DE daily, others need a full cup. This reminds us, that all beings are different. So again, if the worm and ova counts are not zero, increase your daily dose.

For information on how we personally use food grade diatomaceous earth when dealing with worm infestations, see our pages. Please NOTE, when you know you are dealing with a worm infestation or tapeworms in particular, it is the opinion of Wolf Creek Ranch that it is best to at least double the recommended dosage as suggested above by the manufacturer. Remember, the diatomaceous earth MUST come in contact with the worms in order to “dehydrate” them and since worms can kill us or our pets and at the very least, cause disease, more is better to prevent having to deal with disease or death.

IS FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH SAFE TO USE DURING PREGNANCY? Definitely! When food grade diatomaceous earth is fed in adequate daily amounts, it eliminates all intestinal worms and parasites. This helps the human or animal better absorb the nutrients from the food they eat, which in turn benefits the being, but also greatly benefits the unborn infant or animals by passing on these nutrients to them helping to make them stronger and healthier as well.

For human use, it is best to start at a small dose – 1/2 teaspoon for the first few days while making sure to drink plenty of clean fresh pure water (not city tap water) and slowly increasing the dose as your body tells you it is okay to do so and to make sure you don’t have a heavy detox.

Note: Although, DE is considered safe for use during pregnancy or nursing, just as with any other detox, consideration must be made regarding the possible detox effects upon yourself or your baby. While everyone reacts differently while detoxing, it is commonly advised against using any detox regime during pregnancy or nursing. Unless you have already been using DE for a few months prior to becoming pregnant you may want to wait.

EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS FOR LIVESTOCK, BARNS, COOPS, KENNELS, & LITTER BOXES:
Deodorizing and absorption are natural functions of diatomaceous earth, so add to kitty litter to absorb odors and keep the litter box drier. Apply to moist kennel areas to reduce odors and dry the area.

A small amount of food grade DE applied to livestock water keeps the water fresh on hot summer days. The amount of DE you need to apply depends on the size and color of the water container and climate temperature. Start by experimenting with a small amount of DE in the water container and increase as/if needed.

Food grade diatomaceous earth is great for compost piles, to control odors. It will not harm earthworms, provided you just apply to the top of the compost or worm farm soil. The earthworms will slowly work the DE into the soil making them healthier, as well as the soil. Of course, if you put the earthworms in a bucket of DE, it will dehydrate them.

YARD, GARDEN, & LANDSCAPE APPLICATIONS: DE’s minerals are great for the yard and gardens.

Food grade diatomaceous earth will not destroy earthworms, if applied to the top of the soil in worm farms and the worms are allowed to work it into the soil on their own. It is actually beneficial to the worms and compost just make sure to allow the worms to do the work and not bury them in the DE.

MINERALIZATION: Natural food grade diatomaceous earth contains 15 trace minerals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc iron, phosphorous, selenium, etc. People note shinier coats, better overall health, better production, etc. in their animals who are fed food grade diatomaceous earth regularly.

MORE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH BENEFITS: Food grade diatomaceous earth has been reported in scientific literature to absorb methyl mercury, e-coli, endotoxins, viruses (including polio virus), organophosphate pesticide residues, drug resides, and protein, perhaps even the proteinaceous toxins produced by some intestinal infections. Food grade diatomaceous earth detoxes.

There are some features about food grade diatomaceous earth that correspond with its ability as both a digestive aid and a colon cleanser. The honeycomb skeletal form of diatomaceous earth is found, under microscopic evaluation to reveal a tendency to become filled and clogged with hard debris such as intestinal scale. Food grade diatomaceous earth has not been found to cause any insult to the mucosa or barrier wall.

Diatomaceous earth has a negative charge and bacteria has a positive charge, wherein it is believed by some that food grade diatomaceous earth sweeps bacteria out of the body by trapping it in its honeycomb shaped skeletal form.

There is no withdrawal period when given to milking or feed animals. No toxins. Decreased mortality, increased milk production, decreased mastitis, better feed conversion.

WHY IS YOUR DE LABELED FOOD CHEMICAL CODEX GRADE? The ONLY kind of DE we sell is labeled “Food Chemical Codex Grade”. The term Food Chemical Codex (FCC) refers to a compendium of standards that is used internationally to ensure the quality and purity of food ingredients. People often ask why our DE is rated Food Chemical Codex Grade, and are concerned that it may contain “chemicals.” Our DE does not contain chemicals and as such, it is perfectly safe for human consumption.

CAUTIONS:

  • DE manufacturers who work in diatomaceous earth mines 5 days/week advise inhaling it is not a problem (tho of course, don’t be snuffing it) and we have not had problems when inhaling DE in small amounts. IF you have asthma or some other lung ailment, either wear a mask or be very careful when using food grade diatomaceous earth.
  • Do NOT get diatomaceous earth in the eyes.
  • NEVER use pool filter grade or any diatomaceous earth other than those labeled “Food Grade” for yourself or your animals. It can poison or kill them.
  • Some people experience a healing crisis (detox reaction) when beginning DE consumption. If this occurs, reduce the dose, till your body is cleansed, and then increase to the RDA.

FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH BENEFITS SUMMARY:

  • Natural wormer – eliminates many parasites without chemicals
  • Safe, non-toxic, parasites don’t build immunity as they do with traditional wormers
  • 15 trace minerals – great for animals, humans, plants, and soil
  • No feed withdrawal for milk or feed animals
  • Decreased mastitis
  • Reduced scours
  • Decreased mortality
  • Better feed conversion
  • Helps detox heavy metals, ecoli, bacteria, viruses, etc.
  • Promotes shinier coats
  • Digestive aid
  • Colon cleanser
  • Better production
  • Better overall health
  • Reduces manure odor
  • Drying agent
  • Reduces moisture in barns, coops, kennel, litter boxes, compost piles, and other moist areas
  • Reduces overall animal stress
  • Cost effective
  • DE health benefits mean reduction in vet bills and dis-ease

For more information on how we use DE for internal parasites go to our Diatomaceous Earth & Worming page.

For more information about DE for human consumptions go to our Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Health Benefits for People page.

For information on using food grade diatomaceous earth for mite infestations in people Click Here.

For the complete analysis on food grade diatomaceous earth Click Here

DISCLAIMER: Any food grade diatomaceous earth uses other than those approved by the EPA, FDA, or USDA are strictly reports of what farmers, others, and we ourselves have done with diatomaceous earth.

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this Web site or in emails is designed for educational purposes only. The information on this web site is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or veterinarian. This information is not intended as a substitute for the reader’s independent judgment and personal responsibility. Health issues are far too important to delegate to anyone else. It is highly recommended you research and seek information and counsel from as wide a variety of sources as possible, so you can make well informed educated decisions about you, your child’s, or your pet’s health, as in the end YOU make the decisions.