Zeolite for GDD sufferers. May not effective for Gd, but its role for other heavy metals in a matrix of Multi-Metal Toxicity may make taking it worthwhile.
Zeolite is a volcanic mineral and is sold both as natural and man-made forms. The type of Zeolite that has been studied and shown to be effective in humans is Clinoptilolite.
A good review on Clinoptilolite is this:
Front Pharmacol. 2018; 9: 1350.
Published online 2018 Nov 27. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01350
PMCID: PMC6277462
PMID: 30538633
Critical Review on Zeolite Clinoptilolite Safety and Medical Applications in vivo
Sandra Kraljević Pavelić,1,* Jasmina Simović Medica,2 Darko Gumbarević,1 Ana Filošević,1 Nataša Pržulj,3 and Krešimir Pavelić1,4
Historically I have never endorsed the use of zeolite for GDD, because GDD was acquired through iv administration, and except for multihance and eovist, there is no significant elimination by the hepatobiliary/ digestive tract route, and zeolite's effect is largely restricted to the digestive tract.
However, as I have come to realize that in many individuals with GDD, either prior to, or subsequent to, GDD, individuals tend to have multi heavy metal toxicity (deposition disease). So although it may not have much/any effect on Gd, it will have some effect on other heavy metals that have been acquired through oral consumption (which is essentially all the rest of them) but notably lead, mercury, and cadmium. Lead is also optimally removed by the DTPA regimen we use, but removal of cadmium, mercury, and others is variable with DTPA. Zeolite also has effect on removal of other toxins such as mycotoxins from fungi.
Clinoptilolite zeolite (the type most studied for animal and human health) appears not to enter the circulation from the digestive tract. Also its activity is essentially the same as for DTPA, which I like very much: cation exchange.
Zeolite also seems to fit into my triad of: 1) appears to have good scientific evidence, 2) affordable enough, and 3) very unlikely to do harm.
Especially if your 24 hr urine studies pre- and post-DTPA chelation show elevations of other metals, such as cadmium or mercury, and DPTA does not increase its amount in urine following chelation, as a next step consumption of zeolite is appropriate.
As with everything else I recommend in GDD sufferers, because many were prior to, and certainly since GDD, sensitive to multiple chemicals, start very low to see how you react to it. Even the final daily amount you take should remain on the low side. Suggestion: initially try 1/4 recommended dose, and end up with 1/2 recommended dose.
Richard Semelka, MD