Here at Supercharged Food we strive to provide information backed by research and science (along with lovely, nutritious recipes of course). We’re led by Lee Holmes, a qualified Clinical Nutritionist so it’s vital to us we’re focused on the real and wary of the spurious. So when new claims come into our orbit, especially for an ingredient we’ve been using and recommending, and for a big health concern like cholesterol, we go slowly in the direction of science.
Low to high levels of cholesterol
Supercharged Food launched its Love Your Gut diatomaceous earth powder eight years ago. Before that, Lee Holmes, founder, Clinical Nutritionist and author was taking and researching diatomaceous earth for a number of years, having been introduced to it by a Naturopath friend in The States to help her autoimmune condition. It goes without saying that we know a lot about diatomaceous earth but it never ceases to reveal even more of its healthy properties.
We’ve previously received a good amount of anecdotal evidence citing diatomaceous earth’s success with lowering cholesterol. This came from our own experience, the many people sharing their cholesterol lowering experiences and feedback from a number of naturopathic and nutritionist colleagues. But as heartening as those stories were, we were quick and sure not to claim it as scientific fact.
However, this week someone in our community (thanks lovely Meg!) shared a clinical trial study excerpt published on PubMed.gov from the National Center for Biological Information (USA) citing just that - diatomaceous earth lowers blood cholesterol concentrations.
The extract states: “Diatomaceous earth intake was associated with a significant reduction of serum cholesterol at any time point…. Also low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides levels decreased.”
Diatomaceous earth under the microscope
Heart-friendly foods
We’re always looking for diet-based ways to help with health conditions and it’s no different with cholesterol. Here are some of the foods that can play a more positive role in cholesterol management. (Having said that, according to The Harvard Medical School, ”For people at high risk of heart disease, dietary efforts don't come close to lowering cholesterol enough”. If you are in this category or think you may be, you should be consulting a medical professional for your cholesterol treatment).
Again, we go to The Harvard Medical School for their advice on 11 cholesterol-friendly foods.
1. Oats. For their soluble fibre.
2. Barley and other whole grains. For their soluble fibre.
3. Beans. Beans are especially rich in soluble fibre.
4. Eggplant and okra. Low calorie and rich in soluble fibre.
5. Nuts. Eating 2 ounces of nuts a day can slightly lower LDL, on the order of 5%!
6. Vegetable oils. Heart healthier alternatives to animal fats.
7. Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits. Rich in pectin, as soluble fibre.
8. Foods fortified with sterols and stanols. Lessen the body's ability to absorb cholesterol from food.
9. Soy. While it has a modest positive impact on cholesterol, for some people who are lactose intolerant, it’s an alternative to dairy milk.
10. Fatty fish. As if we need other reasons to enjoy salmon! It’s a much heart healthier meat source than red meat. Try our Tray Baked Salmon with Pumpkin + Avocado Mash recipe here.
11. Fibre supplements. We, generally, need more fibre in our diets. Always go for natural fibre from fruits and vegetables but supplements are a good way to ensure you're getting enough. You can read more about the benefits of fibre and our ^ tips to add more fibre to your diet here plus a great supplement is our Love Your Gut Synbiotic which is a prebiotic, probiotic, dietary fibre and digestive enzyme supplement for all round good gut health.
Now we can add diatomaceous earth to this list of heart healthy foods (Love Your Gut diatomaceous earth is approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand).
Heart Healthy recipe:
Crispy Salmon with Saffron, Aioli and Smashed Green Peas
Full of anti-inflammatory salmon, antioxidant-rich herbs and veggies, this quick and fresh meal is one that will make your heart happy. Oh, and your mouth water, too.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, skin on
- sea salt, for rubbing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, sliced and roasted, to serve (optional)
- chives and edible flowers, to serve (optional)
Saffron aioli
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- pinch of saffron threads, soaked in a little lemon juice
- 375 ml (13 fl oz/1 ½ cups) extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Smashed peas
- 200 g (7 oz) frozen peas
- 50 ml (13/4 fl oz) vegetable stock or filtered water
- pinch of sea salt
- 30 g (1 oz) butter
- juice of 1 lemon
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
- handful mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon snipped chives
Method:
- To make the saffron aioli, whiz the garlic, lemon juice, salt, egg yolks and mustard in a food processor.
- Add the saffron and process again.
- With the motor still running, very slowly drizzle in the olive oil. The mixture will emulsify to a mayonnaise-like consistency. Season to taste.
- To make the smashed peas, put the peas and stock in a medium saucepan, season with salt and cook over medium–high heat, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender. Remove from the heat, strain and stir in the butter.
- Gently mash the peas with a fork, then stir in the lemon juice and black pepper. Mix in the olive oil a little at a time, until the peas have the desired consistency. Fold in the herbs.
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towel and rub salt into the skin. Heat a large frying pan over medium–high heat, then add the olive oil and heat until the oil shimmers.
- Place the salmon fillets in the pan, skin side down, and press on them with a spatula to ensure all of the skin is in contact with the pan. Cook for 4–5 minutes, until the skin is crispy and the salmon is still pink inside. Turn over with a spatula, turn off the heat and let the fish sit in the pan for no more than 1 minute.
- Divide the smashed peas between four serving plates and top with the salmon and the roasted lemon slices, if using. Garnish with chives and edible flowers, if using, and serve with the aioli on the side.
Sources and resources
[1] Diatomaceous earth lowers blood cholesterol concentrations https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9533930/
What the Science Says: Diatomaceous Earth
If you’ve been around here for long enough, you’ll know that along with an evidence-based balanced diet filled with whole foods, movement and mindfulness, I swear by diatomaceous earth. I’ve done extensive amounts of research on it and have found the benefits to be potent and powerful, but don’t just take my word for it – I invite you to take a look at what the science says. Grab your dorky-looking reading spectacles and your mental shovel as we dig into the truth, research and evidence behind trending diets, fads and ingredients, starting with diatomaceous earth!
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Before we start digging, let’s uncover what diatomaceous earth is. Diatomaceous earth (the highest food-grade diatomaceous earth is also known as its trademark name fossil shell flour) is the fossilised remnants of diatoms, which were once microscopic algae. The shells of diatoms are composed of silicon dioxide and are the most abundant form of organic amorphous silica in the world, containing 79% to 94% of silicon.1 Silicon dioxide is highly bioavailable (meaning it has improved absorption) and is essential for bone growth as well as the prevention of chronic age-related diseases.1
Why Silica?
While calcium and vitamin D aren’t shy of bone health-related limelight, silica appears to be a little more reserved. Silica is an underdog here, as it’s crucial for our bones, teeth and nerves.2 Silica is essential for sustaining life, with deficiency associated with inadequate bone and skull health, reduced cartilage and alternations in the mineral balance of our knees and vertebrae. Several studies indicate that silica supplementation has positive benefits on our collagen and can improve the bone mineral density of our spine, femur and hips.2 Silica is also doted as a beauty mineral, as it enhances collagen production for our hair, skin and nails. Along with silica, diatomaceous earth is rich in other minerals which are crucial for our overall wellbeing.
Anything Else?
The modern-day diet, known as the ‘sad’ diet (standard American diet - ha) is commonly comprised of processed foods, and deficient in vitamins and minerals. As Dr Linus Pauling, winner of two Nobel Prizes, puts it: “You can trace every sickness, every disease, and every ailment, ultimately to a mineral deficiency.” Luckily, natural food-grade fossil shell flour contains chelated minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphate, sodium, titanium and potassium; which are essential for our overall wellbeing.3 Consuming diatomaceous earth can complement a balanced diet and help boost the intake of necessary minerals.
Diatomaceous Earth and The Gut.
Upon consumption, diatomaceous earth passes through the digestive tract and the bloodstream, where some small particles are absorbed. According to Wiewióra et al., (2015), once in the digestive tract, the outer shell of fossil shell powder interacts with lurking parasites and destroys them and their eggs, “often to complete eradication of the parasites.” The large pores of diatomaceous earth absorb water from the gut which dehydrates pathogens and kills off parasites; as we know, parasites can alter the microbiota and reduce our ability to absorb nutrients, making this extremely beneficial. Several animal studies confirm the impact diatomaceous earth has on the prevention and treatment of parasitic worms and disease. Not only is fossil shell powder rich in minerals and trace minerals, but it can also enhance our gastrointestinal health and improve our nutrient absorption.
Is All Diatomaceous Earth the Same?
Diatomaceous earth is mineral-rich and impactful on our overall wellbeing, particularly our gastrointestinal health. While further research is needed, it has proven to be effective with minimal adverse health effects. Not all diatomaceous earth is the same, and not all forms are safe for human consumption. Some diatomaceous earth particles can be sharper, potentially damaging the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. When choosing diatomaceous earth, look for one that is food-grade and safe for human consumption.
If you want to try it out for yourself, my Love Your Gut Powder, Love Your Gut Capsules, and Golden Gut Blend contains easy-to-digest diatomaceous earth, bursting with minerals and benefits. For health professionals, there is new Love Your Gut Micron 5 capsules (superfine, micron 5 size, Australian diatomaceous earth, developed and exclusive to Supercharged Food).
Diatomaceous Earth - Let me count the ways it loves your gut
Many fruits and vegetables are good for you. We know it. They know it - have you ever looked at the self-satisfied posture of an avocado??!! But still, we don’t eat them as much as we should or could.
For many reasons we lean away from certain foods. Maybe because they’re hard to buy. Or simply not a pleasant taste. They could be difficult to eat. Or perhaps they’re too expensive for our budgets. They can also possibly be out of sight and out of mind in the depths of our pantries, fridges and freezers.
When it comes to a food ingredient called Love Your Gut diatomaceous earth, I’d love to break down the reasons that can sometimes be a barrier and also help you with ways to include this wonder ingredient into your diet.
Looking at our reasons to include this ingredient, the first one is super easy. Diatomaceous earth is good for you. In fact, it’s very good for you. It’s especially good for your gut health as it helps to cleanse and tone your gut environment. This enables your gut to do its thing - process nutrients and hydration, divvying it out to your organs and getting rid of the waste. It helps you to nurture and house a wonderful internal environment where your gut immune system and cells and your microbiota (bacteria in the gut) can live in harmony with one another to keep you healthy and your immune system strong.
Secondly, Love Your Gut diatomaceous earth by Lee Holmes, Clinical Nutritionist from Supercharged Food is super easy to buy. It’s available in over 3,000 health food stores, independents and pharmacies in Australia and online through local distributors in the UK, USA, South Korea and New Zealand.
Next, the taste equation. Diatomaceous earth is almost completely tasteless.There’s also no bitter aftertaste or any aftertaste for that matter.
Most people simply add Love Your Gut powder to a glass of water, drink and get on with their day knowing their gut has had some loving love. Others mix it with juice or in smoothies. (Healthy Hint: mix it in a drink that contains vitamin C like citrus juice to supercharge the iron within our diatomaceous earth).
If you’re looking for other ways to use it daily in your meals or drinks, our FREE ebook - 101 ways by Lee Holmes. It contains, well, 101 ways to use Love Your Gut powder and Love Your Gut Capsules.
Hard to eat? Nope. Not diatomaceous earth! It’s superfine (less than 10 microns for us techy nerds) which means it mixes well in water and drinks easily.
Too $$$$$$? Again, not Love Your Gut powder. We have deliberately kept the price very reasonable, especially in comparison to other health and gut supplements out there, (you know who you are!) We just want the world to know the benefits of diatomaceous earth. At the same time, Supercharged Food diatomaceous earth is the very highest quality. Lee tried and tested diatomaceous earth sources from around the globe. Her Love Your Gut powder is the result.
Love Your Gut diatomaceous earth in 250g, 100g bags and 120 capsules.
That leaves one more point - the outta sight, outta mind reason. Now, this can apply to Love Your Gut diatomaceous earth (and other good-for-you products). A great way to ensure you maintain your gut health is to make Love Your Gut in arms reach and in line-of-sight in busy cupboards.
We suggest transferring some powder from the 250g bag (our most popular product) to smaller containers. Take a container to work for a mid-afternoon dose of gut love. Pop the Love Your Gut capsules in your bag, especially when travelling.
Also, think about how the powder can become a daily habit. Set a reminder on your phone. Have it when you first wake up or before any meal. make it a part of a routine.
Ready to Try Love Your Gut Diatomaceous Earth?
Our Love Your Gut diatomaceous earth powder is food-grade, Australian-sourced, and supports your digestive health and cholesterol management. Join thousands of customers who have made it part of their daily wellness routine.
Shop Love Your Gut Powder
"My cholesterol improved in just 8 weeks. Love Your Gut has become a staple in my daily routine." — Susan M., Sydney
1 comment
The study you are referring to was in 1998. This is hardly new. Was there a mistake in your referencing?
Leave a comment