Hello, I have been reading a lot of stuff on Bentonite on this site for a while and I am a dedicated B&Per! I decided to actually post something, I am in nursing school so I have access to all kinds of fun medical databases and decided to actually share some information on Bentonite that is from a reputable source.

~Bethany~
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Bentonite

Synopsis: Hendler, Sheldon Saul, PhD, MD and Rorvik, David, MS

Source Citation: "Bentonite." PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Sheldon Saul Hendler, PhD, MD and David Rorvik, MS, Chief Editors. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., A Thomson Healthcare Company, 2001.




TRADE NAMES
Bentonite #7 liquid (Sonne's) and Great Plains Bentonite Clay (Yerba Prima Botanicals).

DESCRIPTION
Bentonite is occasionally used in nutritional supplements as a source of trace minerals. It is a type of clay, the major constituent of which is a hydrated aluminum silicate called montmorillonite. Minor constituents found in bentonite include calcium, magnesium and iron. Bentonite is found in certain areas of the United States and Canada. Wyoming bentonite, found in Wyoming and South Dakota, contains sodium and is composed of alternating layers of aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide. It is also known as sodium montmorillonite. Bentonite found in Mississippi is known as calcium montmorillonite.

Bentonite absorbs water readily to form highly viscous suspensions or gels. Bentonite itself is practically insoluble in water. Because of its water-absorbing properity, bentonite has been used as a bulk laxative and is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a suspending and stabilizing agent, as well as an adsorbent or clarifying agent. A derivative of bentonite is used to block urushiols from the skins. Urushiols are the etiological factors causing contact dermatitis from poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Bentonite itself may bind to some toxins, such as paraquat, by adsorbing them.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
ACTIONS
Bentonite may be a delivery form of small amounts of certain trace minerals and small amounts of magnesium and calcium. It may also bind to some toxins, such as pesticides.

MECHANISM OF ACTION
Certain toxins, such as paraquat, may be adsorbed by bentonite.

PHARMACOKINETICS
Little is reported on the pharmacokinetics of bentonite. Following ingestion, there is probably very little to no absorption of bentonite from the gastrointestinal tract, and it is excreted in the feces. Small amounts of trace minerals and small amounts of calcium and magnesium may be absorbed.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE
It is claimed that bentonite binds to a number of toxins and thus renders them harmless. There is some evidence of this effect in animal studies.

RESEARCH SUMMARY
Bentonite has been shown to protect against the effects of aflatoxins in broiler chickens and rats but did not alleviate locoweed toxicosis in rats. Bentonite has also been shown to prevent high radiocesium levels in animal products. Clinical trials are lacking.

CONTRAINDICATIONS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Bentonite is contraindicated in those who are hypersensitive to any component of a bentonite-containing product. It is also contraindicated in those whose gastrointestinal tract is not anatomically intact.

PRECAUTIONS
Pregnant women, nursing mothers and the elderly should avoid using bentonite.

Those who do use bentonite should ingest plenty of fluid (water, juice) concomitantly in order to avoid possible intestinal obstruction.

Bentonite should not be used concomitantly with drugs or nutritional supplements.

There is no documentation in humans that bentonite has any benefit as a trace mineral source or as an aid in removing toxins from the colon.

ADVERSE REACTIONS
At doses usually used in nutritional supplements5 to 10 mgthere are no reports of adverse reactions. Higher doses, e.g., greater than 10 grams daily, may have a laxative effectbentonite was used as a bulk laxativeand if not taken with plenty of fluids may cause intestinal obstruction.

INTERACTIONS
DRUGS
Bentonite may adsorb certain drugs. Bentonite should not be taken concomitantly with any drugs.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Bentonite may adsorb certain nutritional supplements and should not be used concomitantly with them.

FOODS
Bentonite may adsorb certain food components.

HERBS
Bentonite may adsorb certain herb components.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Bentonite is available in some nutritional supplements as a trace mineral source. Dosage is usually 5 to 10 mg daily. Those who use bentonite as a "colon cleanser" use one tablespoon once or twice a day, which must be taken with at least one glass of water or juice. This is not recommended. Drugs and nutritional supplements should not be used concomitantly with the higher doses.

HOW SUPPLIED
Liquid

LITERATURE
Abdel-Wahhab MA, Nada SA, Farag IM, et al. Potential protective effect of HSCAS and bentonite against dietary aflatoxicosis in rat: with special reference to chromosomal aberrations. Nat Toxins .1998; 6:211-218.

Santurio JM, Mallmann CA, Rosa AP, et al. Effect of sodium bentonite on the performance and blood variables of broiler chickens intoxicated with aflatoxins. Br Poult Sci. 1999; 40:115-119.


Record Number: DU2616000019