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Metabolic Detoxification and Liver Health Micronutrients & Phytochemicals
October 15, 2021 (3 min read)

Clinoptilolite: Prehistoric Volcanic Rock with Clinical Benefits

WholisticMatters

Summary

The most common type of natural zeolite, clinoptilolite, provides an effective example of zeolites’ main effects relevant to human health: ion exchange and surface adsorption. The therapeutic connection between clinoptilolite and human health thus also offers an effective approach to reduce toxic burden on the human digestive system.

Zeolites are microscopic, porous minerals that cluster to form larger aggregates with small individual cavities, making them naturally occurring adsorbent substances. The most common type of natural zeolite, clinoptilolite, provides an effective example of zeolites’ main effects relevant to human health: ion exchange and surface adsorption.

An “adsorbent” like clinoptilolite is a substance that is capable of trapping certain substances to its surface or within its pores. This is in comparison to an “absorbent,” which traps substances by allowing them to permeate its structure uniformly. For example, a piece of notebook paper adsorbs liquid, while a paper towel absorbs liquid.

Zeolites like clinoptilolite have been applied in animal nutrition for over ten years as an ingredient added to animal feed to reduce the bioavailability of dietary acquired toxins.1-3 Humans also encounter toxins every day in their homes and their local environments. The therapeutic connection between clinoptilolite and human health thus also offers an effective approach to reduce toxic burden on the human digestive system.

What is Clinoptilolite?

zeolite

Clinoptilolite is found in sedimentary rock of prehistoric volcanic origin. Clinoptilolite has a unique honeycomb structure that lends to its distinctive ability to support toxin removal in the human body. This mineral breaks into irregular fragments, and its unique chemical structure creates the opportunity for the general attachment and removal of certain substances from a solution. Thus, clinoptilolite can be leveraged as an important ingredient for the removal of toxins in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Clinoptilolite is stable in an acidic environment, making it suitable for the journey through the GI tract for toxin removal. This mineral’s ability to bind and remove toxins in the gut essentially revolves around size: larger molecules interact externally while smaller molecules can interact internally, becoming trapped in the pores of clinoptilolite’s honeycomb structure by ion exchange or charged binding. The pores and small particle size create a large surface area for interactions between clinoptilolite and other compounds.

How Does Clinoptilolite Impact GI Function?

Clinoptilolite’s adsorbent properties make it useful for supporting the elimination of mycotoxins, exotoxins, ammonia, cholesterol and bile, and harmful heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, silver, cesium, and mercury. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microscopic fungi, and they are associated with negative health outcomes in humans.4

Clinoptilolite is also linked to supporting the rapid elimination of and protection from toxic effects of dietary acquired materials after exposure to heavy metals.3, 5-12 This mineral may promote healthy, regular bowel movements, support the GI lining under stress conditions, counteract GI barrier damage, and enhance mucosal barrier protection and repair functions.13-20

The role of minerals as therapeutically beneficial micronutrients is not a foreign concept, but the ability of zeolites like clinoptilolite to support toxin removal in the body is an additional, favorable aspect of the role of minerals in human health. Clinoptilolite can be a greatly effective ingredient for toxin removal, helping the body’s natural detoxification process remove toxins and keep the body in homeostasis.

WholisticMatters

References
  1. Colella, C. (2011). A critical reconsideration of biomedical and veterinary applications of natural zeolites. Clay Minerals, 46(2), 295-309. https://doi.org/10.1180/claymin.2011.046.2.295
  2. Ceyhan, T., Tatlier, M., & Akçakaya, H. (2007). In vitro evaluation of the use of zeolites as biomaterials: effects on simulated body fluid and two types of cells. Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine, 18(8), 1557–1562. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-007-3049-y
  3. Katsoulos, P. D., M. A. Karatzia, C. Boscos, P. Wolf and H. Karatzias (2016). In-field evaluation of clinoptilolite feeding efficacy on the reduction of milk aflatoxin M1 concentration in dairy cattle. Journal of animal science and technology, 58(1): 1-7.
  4. Bennett, J. W., & Klich, M. (2003). Mycotoxins. Clinical microbiology reviews, 16(3), 497–516. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.16.3.497-516.2003
  5. Ortatatli, M., H. Oğuz, F. Hatipoğlu and M. Karaman (2005). Evaluation of pathological changes in broilers during chronic aflatoxin (50 and 100 ppb) and clinoptilolite exposure. Research in veterinary science, 78(1): 61-68.
  6. Phillippo, M., S. Gvozdanovic, D. Gvozdanovic, J. K. Chesters, E. Paterson and C. F. Mills (1988). Reduction of radiocaesium absorption by sheep consuming feed contaminated with fallout from Chernobyl. Vet Rec, 122(23): 560-563.
  7. Safameher, A. (2008). Effects of clinoptilolite on performance, biochemical parameters and hepatic lesions in broiler chickens during aflatoxosis. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7(4): 381-388.
  8. Wang, S. and Y. Peng (2010). Natural zeolites as effective adsorbents in water and wastewater treatment. Chemical Engineering Journal, 156(1): 11-24.
  9. Topashka-Ancheva, M., M. Beltcheva, R. Metcheva, J. A. H. Rojas, A. O. Rodriguez-De la Fuente, T. Gerasimova, L. E. Rodríguez-Flores and S. E. Teodorova (2012). Modified natural clinoptilolite detoxifies small mammal’s organism loaded with lead II: genetic, cell, and physiological effects. Biological trace element research, 147(1): 206-216.
  10. Beltcheva, M., R. Metcheva, N. Popov, S. E. Teodorova, J. A. Heredia-Rojas, A. O. Rodríguez-de la Fuente, L. E. Rodríguez-Flores and M. Topashka-Ancheva (2012). “Modified natural clinoptilolite detoxifies small mammal’s organism loaded with lead I. Lead disposition and kinetic model for lead bioaccumulation.” Biological trace element research 147(1): 180-188.
  11. G-Science (2020). “Unpublished G-PUR Impact on enteral lead isotope 204Pb-absorption.”
  12. G-Science, I. (2017). G-PUR/Purified Clinoptilolite Whitepaper. Version 1.12.
  13. Rodríguez-Fuentes, G., M. A. Barrios, A. Iraizoz, I. Perdomo and B. Cedré (1997). Enterex: Anti-diarrheic drug based on purified natural clinoptilolite. Zeolites, 19(5): 441-448.
  14. Gandy, J. J., I. Laurens and J. R. Snyman (2015). Potentiated clinoptilolite reduces signs and symptoms associated with veisalgia. Clinical and experimental gastroenterology, 8: 271.
  15. Lamprecht, J. C., S. Ellis, J. R. Snyman and I. Laurens (2017). The effects of an artificially enhanced clinoptilolite in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. South African Family Practice, 59(1): 18-22.
  16. Langbein, T., W. Dathe, A. Deuerling and R. P. Baum (2019). Efficacy of Detoxsan® powder on diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. World journal of gastroenterology, 25(17): 2133.
  17. Wu, Q. J., Y. M. Zhou, Y. N. Wu, L. L. Zhang and T. Wang (2013). The effects of natural and modified clinoptilolite on intestinal barrier function and immune response to LPS in broiler chickens. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 153(1): 70-76.
  18. Lyu, W., H. Jia, C. Deng, K. Saito, S. Yamada and H. Kato (2017). Zeolite-Containing Mixture Supplementation Ameliorated Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mice by Suppressing the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Pathway and Improving Apoptosis in Colon Mucosa. Nutrients, 9(5): 467.
  19. Nizet, S., E. Muñoz, B. L. Fiebich, P. M. Abuja, K. Kashofer, K. Zatloukal, S. Tangermann, L. Kenner, C. Tschegg and D. Nagl (2018). Clinoptilolite in dextran sulphate sodium-Induced murine colitis: efficacy and safety of a microparticulate preparation. Inflammatory bowel diseases, 24(1): 54-66.
  20. Ranftler, C., D. Nagl, A. Sparer, A. Röhrich, M. Freissmuth, A. El-Kasaby, S. Nasrollahi Shirazi, F. Koban, C. Tschegg and S. Nizet (2021). Binding and neutralization of C. difficile toxins A and B by purified clinoptilolite-tuff. PLoS One, 16(5): e0252211.

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