Re: Diatomaceous Earth (Silica) actually increases the infection rate (spread) of parasites? Two studies

The studies make sense to me - although when you consider the positive applications of DE for external infestations, lice, chicken coups, farming applications, the uses OUTSIDE OF A WET ENVIRONMENT for critter control, it works wonders.

I've used it for that.

When i got the powder on my hands - i had the worst skin drying-out experience of my life! Despite washing hands after using it - i didn't scrub deep enough to get out every molecule of DE, so it dried and cut the outer dermis of my hands and encouraged a very sore and quick exfoliation of my hands.

But when i've mixed it with water, it hydrates very quickly and loses it's 'cutting' ability.

Only when it dries out again - like you've sprayed an area with a DE solution, it dries out - then it will be abrasive to whatever gets coated in it.

Once IN THE BODY i imagine it is very useful as a mineral - the absorption rate would possibly be lower than a chelated silica supplement, as mentioned above, but folk tend to take a fair few grams with each dose so do end up getting increased silica and improved symptoms of nail/ hair growth/condition etc.

When ingested it hydrates in the water we drink it in - it's no longer as abrasive as it is when dry - and throughout it's journey through the body, it never gets a chance to dehydrate to it's super sharp state.

So i can see how it potentially could increase parasite load if the parasites benefit from the body having more silica in it - from a nutritional stand point is it possible the parasites in the studies linked above, were able to lay more eggs, get larger with increased host nutrition of silica?

One study i found fed hens DE 2% of diet, showed no reduced parasite load in ' parasite resistant' hens - yet found a reduced load in a different breed of hen.(fecal egg counts and postmortem examination of digestive tract)
It was highly effective as an external lice treatment on the hens.
The hens exhibited better weight and health and size of eggs laid than hens not fed DE - so they obviously do benefit nutritionally.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21673156

Studies like this only confuse further really, why did it not affect the parasites in the 'parasite resistant' hen species?..

I like to use DE nutritionally for health and in loads of other ways too - but for parasites i wouldn't use JUST D.E. and expect to clear all species of parasite from all areas of the body, without using herbs and the other known treatments.