✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
📰Read the full Diatomaceous Earth evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ See overview for critical safety [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Diatomaceous earth is a silica powder with zero clinical evidence for any marketed claim (detox, parasites, cholesterol). CRITICAL SAFETY: food-grade DE (amorphous silica) ≠ pool/industrial-grade DE (crystalline silica = carcinogen/silicosis). Even food-grade DE should NOT be inhaled — respiratory irritation risk. The 'parasite cleanse' claim is based on DE's use as an insecticide (physical abrasion of insect exoskeletons) extrapolated to intestinal parasites without ANY evidence [1].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
Avoid — insufficient data; silica inhalation concern [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Not recommended [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: See overview [1].
💊 With food: See overview [1].
🚫 Avoid: See overview [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Various forms', 'standard', 'See overview [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Key point ▼
Diatomaceous earth is a silica powder with zero clinical evidence for any marketed claim (detox, parasites, cholesterol). CRITICAL SAFETY: food-grade DE (amorphous silica) ≠ pool/industrial-grade DE (crystalline silica = carcinogen/silicosis). Even food-grade DE should NOT be inhaled — respiratory irritation risk. The 'parasite cleanse' claim is based on DE's use as an insecticide (physical abrasion of insect exoskeletons) extrapolated to intestinal parasites without ANY evidence [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
See overview [1]. HIGH
Moderate
See overview [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
See overview [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ Do not inhale — crystalline silica is a serious respiratory hazard (use only amorphous food-grade, and avoid dust)
Relative
⚠ Unproven 'detox'/antiparasitic claims
⚠ May cause GI irritation/constipation
⚠ Separate from medications
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
ALL oral medications Major
Mechanism: May adsorb medications — separate by 2+ hours [1].
7 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Diatomaceous Earth — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 15]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/diatomaceous-earth/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Diatomaceous Earth — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/diatomaceous-earth/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: February 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Diatomaceous Earth — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/diatomaceous-earth/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG