Diatomaceous earth lowers blood cholesterol concentrations.
In this study a potential influence of diatomaceus earth to lower blood cholesterol was investigated. During 12 weeks we monitored serum lipid concentrations in 19 healthy individuals with a history of moderate hypercholesterinemia (9 females, 10 males, aged 35 - 67 years). Individuals administered orally 250 mg diatomaceous earth three-times daily during an 8 weeks observation period. Serum concentrations of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides levels were measured before study entry, every second week during the period of diatomaceous earth intake and 4 weeks after stop of intake. Compared to baseline (285.8 +/- 37.5 mg/dl = 7.40 +/- 0.97 mM) diatomaceous earth intake was associated with a significant reduction of serum cholesterol at any time point, reaching a minimum on week 6 (248.1 mg/dl = 6.43 mM, -13.2% from baseline; p<0.001). Also low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (week 4: p<0.05) and triglycerides levels decreased (week 2: p<0.05, week 4: p<0.01). Four weeks after intake of diatomaceous earth was stopped, serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides still remained low and also the increase of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol became significant (p<0.05). Diatomaceous earth, a bioproduct, is capable of reducing blood cholesterol and positively influencing lipid metabolism in humans. Placebo-controlled studies will be necessary to confirm our findings.
Wachter
H
H
Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Fritz Pregl Strasse 3, Innsbruck, A-6020, Austria.
Lechleitner
M
M
Artner-Dworzak
E
E
Hausen
A
A
Jarosch
E
E
Widner
B
B
Patsch
J
J
Pfeiffer
K
K
Fuchs
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D007692:Diatomaceous Earth / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014280:Triglycerides; D007692:Diatomaceous Earth; D019798:Neopterin; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D011188:Potassium