Critical Review on Zeolite Clinoptilolite Safety and Medical Applications in vivo

Abstract

Unique and outstanding physical and chemical properties of zeolite materials make them extremely useful in a variety of applications including agronomy, ecology, manufacturing, and industrial processes. Recently, a more specific application of one naturally occurring zeolite material, clinoptilolite, has been widely studied in veterinary and human medicine. Due to a number of positive effects on health, including detoxification properties, the usage of clinoptilolite-based products in vivo has increased enormously. However, concerns have been raised in the public about the safety of clinoptilolite materials for in vivo applications. Here, we review the scientific literature on the health effects and safety in medical applications of different clinoptilolite-based materials and propose some comprehensive, scientifically-based hypotheses on possible biological mechanisms underlying the observed effects on the health and body homeostasis. We focus on the safety of the clinoptilolite material and the positive medical effects related to detoxification, immune response, and the general health status.

Synthesis of Hydroxy-Sodalite/Cancrinite Zeolites from Calcite-Bearing Kaolin for the Removal of Heavy Metal Ions in Aqueous Media

“…Over the last years, a number of investigations were conducted to test the use of natural zeolites as low-cost adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals [9], salts [10], and ammonium ions [11]. Zeolite-based adsorbents have a unique crystalline microporous structure and high metal-binding capacity [12,13], and in some cases are suitable for detoxifying the body by consumption [14]. These minerals are characterized by a notably uniform pore structure with a molecular dimension <0.13 nm formed between tetrahedrally coordinated Si 4+ and Al 3+ that are connected via oxygen atoms [15].…”

Zeolites ameliorate asbestos toxicity in a transgenic model of malignant mesothelioma

“…The apparent safety of zeolites compared with asbestos, despite both being silicate minerals, may be related to their physical structure. Whereas asbestos is a fibrous material, most zeolites have orthorhombic crystalline structures with accessible open channels for water and large ions . The safety of zeolites and, in particular, clinoptilolite, has been tested in animals and humans, by ingestion or injection .…”

“…The safety of zeolites and, in particular, clinoptilolite, has been tested in animals and humans, by ingestion or injection . The European Food Safety Authority panel on additives in animal feed (2013) reported that clinoptilolite was non‐toxic at doses of 10 000 mg/kg . An earlier comprehensive toxicology study used micronized clinoptilolite as a dietary supplement in rats and mice for up to one year, finding that doses of 1000 mg/mice/day elicited no apparent side effects or toxicity.…”

“…The electrical activity of macrophages may be compromised by the presence of Fe 3+ derived from aberrant metabolic function or foreign sources such as asbestos, and this probably extends to the immune system generally. By restoring iron homeostasis, zeolites may stimulate the immune system …”

“…The majority of natural zeolites are of volcanic origin and have the general formula, M2/ n :Al 2 O 3 : x SiO 2 : y H 2 O, where M stands for the extra‐framework cation. A recent review summarizes the origins, structures and properties, and industrial and medical and veterinary uses of natural and synthetic zeolites . An emphasis on the most commonly used zeolite in humans, namely clinoptilolite, is combined with hypotheses to explain observed positive effects of detoxification, immune response, and general health in humans.…”