If you’ve been following along in the holistic health space, you may have learned that binders are all the rage right now, and for good cause: When the proper binders are utilized for the right reasons, they can make a huge impact on everything from mycotoxin removal, heavy metal detoxification, and surprisingly, even muscular endurance. Zeolite, a gentle yet powerful binder, is one such molecule that has the potential to provide detox support during intense training, having a positive impact on recovery. Find out how it works and why a certified personal trainer might recommend zeolite to their clients.
What Is Zeolite? What Even Are Binders?
Binders are molecules that have the capacity to bind to and carry away toxins, metals, and large molecules in the body and remove them safely.
What exactly is Zeolite? If you’ve never seen it, consuming a solution of this powdered binder “dissolved” (technically, suspended) in a glass of water essentially looks like drinking liquid ash. Because, that’s exactly what it is.
Its story starts millions, yes millions, of years ago when volcanoes erupted, spewing their molten discharges into the air and over the earth. The chemical composition of this ash was silica and aluminum, or aluminosilicate. Both considered light metals and present in our environment and in the Earth’s crust today, zeolite’s composition of silica and aluminum create a stable honeycomb structure which can vary in their composition and ratios.
For instance, zeolite clinoptilolite (the form we’ll focus on here) has a silica to alumina ratio of four to one.
Because of its porous, crystalline structure, zeolite has the capacity to lock on to and absorb various materials, thus carrying those materials out of the body.
This function isn’t, however, limited to physiology; like activated charcoal, another well-known binder known to quickly eliminate toxins from the digestive system, zeolite can bind with gases as well. This means it can be used as an anti-odor agent and even as a filter in cigarettes.
Types of Zeolite
Without getting into the weeds, there are a few different forms of zeolite on the market, and being educated about what the products are can help your personal training clients make an informed choice.
The known forms include:
- clinoptilolite
- mordenite
- chabazite
- analcime
- phillipsite
- erionite
- heulandite
The natural clinoptilolite zeolites, mined from the Earth, which are known for their safety profile are preferred for medicinal use versus the remaining natural forms or lab-created/industrial versions that are potentially toxic, and should be avoided, like Zeolite-A. Make sure the product label designates that it is natural clinoptilolite zeolite.
Furthermore, some companies have attempted to create a liquid form of zeolite, attempting to improve its marketability. In order for zeolite to function as intended, it needs to be administered in its unaltered form. What some companies have done is “activate” or “hydrolyze” the zeolite, which sounds catchy and high-tech, but essentially renders the molecule useless. These are the forms often found in liquid products.
The only other form of liquid zeolite on the market is in effect a suspension of the powder added to the liquid, aimed at assuaging its administrability by removing the step of mixing. However, these products are not recommended either since they tend not to have nearly enough product for efficacy and can cause side effects when the toxins are not properly bound and removed. You’re better off just sticking with powdered products and mixing with a liquid yourself.
What you may also find when comparing products is the micron size of the molecules. This is where things get tricky.
Different particle sizes actually serve different purposes in the body and in conjunction, will accomplish the job of binding most completely.
The ideal mix for full-body support will include a product that contains 80-85% of <10-11 microns and 15-20% 10-40 microns. The former, and smaller, micron size is essential for systemic clearance as it crosses blood-brain barrier, allowing for the removal of toxins in the tissues, and especially helpful for headaches.
The larger micron size will remain in the GI tract, effectively binding to heavy metals from our foods and other gut toxins.
How It Works as a Binder
If you would like to geek out on the chemistry of how zeolite works, read on. The crystalline cage of the zeolite molecule creates an ion/cation exchange in the body. While the silicon element of the zeolite retains a neutral charge, the larger aluminum portion carries a negative charge. Such a negative charge attracts heavy metals, mycotoxins, VOCs, glyphosate, and other biotoxins.
What’s more, the aluminosilicate is not all that zeolite brings to the table. In its natural state, this binding agent carries with it the four main minerals that our bodies need for all of its metabolic processes (and have sadly been disappearing from our over-farmed soils and subsequent crops): calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.
When zeolite shows up to take out the bad stuff, it also drops off everything we need most. Picture it like a school bus loaded with the passengers of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. At each stop (the cells) it drops minerals and picks up toxins to carry them away.
How Can Zeolite Help Our Personal Training Clients?
Aside from the obvious benefits of improving the detoxification pathways of the body, that let’s face it, everyone can use, zeolite has been studied specifically with regard to its ability to clear lactic acid and free radicals from the athlete’s system. It appears to facilitate quick regeneration and overall improved physical condition.
A study on 24 athletes who were administered 5 grams of zeolite powder every day for 30 days indicated that lactate thresholds were higher among those in the intervention versus controls. The zeolite group increased speed and efficiency over their placebo counterparts, delaying fatigue, due largely to the alkaline nature of zeolite reducing the limiting impact of lactic acid on endurance.
Are There Any Cons to Taking Zeolite?
When used properly and when the correct product with the combination of different micron sizes are used as directed, there should be no side effects. However, some users have reported dehydration, thirst, and GI upset like constipation. A rare few with sensitivities or a heavy toxic load may experience what is called a “healing crisis” or a worsening of symptoms that lasts a few days while the body releases. This should be followed by rapid improvement however. This is rarely reported with zeolite usage.
Reports indicate improvements from zeolite supplementation to manifest within a few days and for as many as 12 weeks.
Zeolite clinoptilolite will not bind to large-molecule medications or essential macrominerals and is considered safe to take with both, however, it is still recommended to take it alone and away from medications.
Practical Use of Zeolite in Fitness Contexts
How should someone use zeolite properly to ensure positive outcomes and reduce the possibility of side effects, which are extremely rare. Reverse titration dosing is recommended when starting and then reducing to a maintenance dose.
The typical protocol recommends dosing for 90 days. However, some holistic health practitioners recommend staying on this binder indefinitely due to the constant exposure to toxins in the environment. Others recommend cycling on for and off over time, which is certainly a prudent (and more economical approach) for most.
Dosing Recommendations
For Basic Detox:
Take 5 grams, twice a day, preferably morning and evening. Continue for 90-180 days then taper to maintenance dose below. It is recommended to be monitored for improvement by a health practitioner that specializes in heavy metal detoxing.
Maintenance Dose
Take 5 grams just once a day, any time. You may continue this dose indefinitely.
For Fighting Illness, Extreme Toxicity and For Sensitive Individuals
Take 5g three times a day, about 6-8 hours apart. Continue this dosing until health improves and return to a maintenance dose.
It may be prudent to take 2+ hours from medications, vitamins, minerals, or supplements to ensure there is no binding to them. However, research indicates this isn’t a problem.
Zeolite can mix in liquids or food for convenience. It is safe for kids or pets!
For kids under 12, reduce dosing by half. For small dogs or cats, the dose is 1 gram, and for larger dogs, it’s 2 grams.
Suggested brands include Vykon Customs which require a practitioner to order, and ZeoHealth,* ZeoCharge, and ZeoBoost* all of which are available for online purchase.
*affiliate links
References
ZEOLITE Improve Your Health with Nature’s Cleanser and Detoxifier Dr. Howard Peiper N.D. 2020.
Knapitsch, Schmölzer, (2004): Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study with Panaceo Sport on lactate levels and performance improvement.
Lamprecht, M., Bogner, S., Steinbauer, K., Schuetz, B., Greilberger, J. F., Leber, B., … Schippinger, G. (2015). Effects of zeolite supplementation on parameters of intestinal barrier integrity, inflammation, redoxbiology and performance in aerobically trained subjects. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0101-z https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1186/s12970-015-0101-z#d1e577
Kraljević Pavelić S, Saftić Martinović L, Simović Medica J, Žuvić M, Perdija Ž, Krpan D, Eisenwagen S, Orct T, Pavelić K. Clinical Evaluation of a Defined Zeolite-Clinoptilolite Supplementation Effect on the Selected Blood Parameters of Patients. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 May 27;9:851782. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.851782. PMID: 35712111; PMCID: PMC9197155.
