Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a powder made from the deposit of fossilised aquatic organisms (called diatoms) found in water sources all over the world. The fossils produce a dry sediment high in silica that easily crumbles to a powder. Magnified 7000 times these tiny fragments look like cheese grater cylinders and are extremely hard and sharp. Diamonds are a 9 and DE is 7 on the hardness scale. Silica is the most plentiful element on earth and a key component to skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Even the liver, heart, lungs and blood contain silica. The human body typically holds 7 grams of silica, which is more than even iron or magnesium.

DE has various industrial uses, but it is also routinely used to stimulate detoxification, aid digestion, and improve skin and hair health. Silica is an essential mineral that is required to carry calcium to various body parts. Without silica, the body stores calcium in joints and other soft tissues causing bone spurs, arthritis, osteoporosis, brittle nails and other conditions allied to calcium deficiencies. There is a positive correlation between silica consumption and better bone mineral density.

Silica works as a detoxifying agent to eradicate free radicals and toxins from the body. Each silica particle carries an electrical charge on its surface to attract the harmful toxins and uses its cheese grater like structure to trap them. Once the toxins are snared by the silica, they are then carried out of the body through sweat or waste products. Think of it like sandpaper moving through your system, scraping and cleaning as it goes. Beneficial bacteria generates a negative charge and DE only attracts the positively charged bad bacteria.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that silica helped eliminate heavy metals, such as aluminium, from the body.

A separate study published in the Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology discovered that DE helps kills viruses and purifies drinking water. A tap water filter containing DE helped absorb up to 80% of the viruses present.

Available in two different grades, DE is categorised as either food grade, whereby it is safe for consumption and people can ingest the powder as a food, or filter grade that is used in industrial practices.

Food grade DE is called FOSSIL SHELL FLOUR and is touted to have lots of health benefits. To help our bodies function and absorb minerals properly, it is important to consume silica. When deficient in silica, collagen (mostly made up of silica) breaks down, making the skin look old. Taking silica can repair the collagen in the body.

Minerals in Diatomaceous Earth include:

• Amorphous Silica: 89 – 95%

• Calcium: 0.407%

• Iron: 0.25%

• Potassium: 0.107%

• Magnesium: 0.138%

• Phosphorus: 0.00937

• Silicon: 0.342

• Zinc: 0.000754

• Plus other trace minerals

Benefits MAY include:

• Cleanse the digestive system and improve gut health
• Help remove toxins and impurities
• Healthier looking skin, hair and nails
• Improve functionality of the liver and the colon
• Increase nutrient and mineral absorption and hydration levels
• Reduce wind and bloating
• Help improve energy levels
• Assist skin complications like eczema, rashes, acne and insect bites.
• Natural treatment for parasites
• Promote regular bowel movements
• Cleanse intestinal walls and digestive tract
• Remove dead skin cells
• Reduce high cholesterol levels
• Constipation alleviation

Gutsy – available from www.turmericaustralia.com.au – is the highest food grade of DE; no taste, no odour, gluten-free and organic. Use daily or as part of a detox or cleanse, as it is completely free of any additives, preservatives, fillers, sugars or artificial sweeteners.

Start with ½ to 1 teaspoon per day and graduate up to 1 tablespoon per day. Add it to a glass of water, juice, smoothie, porridge, yoghurt, soups or gravies.

Try taking Gutsy 10 days on and 10 days off for 3 months to safely and efficiently detox. Initially, as your gut environment changes you may notice some mild side effects, like headaches, as your gut environment changes. Yeast can die off and your body releases the toxins. You will generally feel better, especially when heavy metals are removed from the body, freeing up your immune system to work on other issues.

As the body has improved nutrient absorption, we recommend taking a probiotic too, to supplement the good bacteria in the gut. Gutsy is a food, not a medication, therefore perfectly safe to consume for the general population.