Diatamaceous Earth and Hemochromatosis
First things first – you need a working definition:
Hemochromatosis:
Is a genetic disorder wherein the body of the person affected holds onto iron consumed resulting in iron overload. Iron accumulates in the joints and organs and will most certainly cause death if allowed to do so. Treatment is frequent (usually weekly) therapeutic phlebotomy (blood draining) until iron levels (ferritin) are normal, and then an ongoing maintenance and monitoring schedule for life. In some ways it is a blessing in disguise because hemochromatosis patients in maintenance can become regular blood donors keeping themselves healthy while saving the lives of others. A silverlining to be certain.
However, I can assure you from experience that the initial regime is NOT pleasant. I have scar tissue on my arm from the frequent phlebotomies that makes me look like somewhat of a junkie. Appearance aside, there are other unpleasant side effects to having such frequent blood drains, the least of which is the inconvenience. Unless you enjoy needles in your arm – and this is a big needle (my sister calls it a pipe), you can agree that frequent phlebotomies are something to avoid if you can.
My doctor told me there was no other way. The only way to lower the iron stores in your blood is to remove the blood. It is truly not possible to eat a low iron diet although most of us do try to limit our intake of iron and we usually drink tea or coffee with our meals to interfere with iron absorption.
A Little Background Info
A dear friend of mine from a small town in Michigan sent me a sample of Diatamaceous Earth, known simply as DE, to treat a bug infestation of a houseplant. When I failed to use it and the plant died, she encouraged me to eat it myself claiming it has numerous health benefits. I was certainly skeptical of eating the product that was sent to me to kill bugs, but after I did some research on it, I decided to give it a try… it is worth noting that this stuff sat in my cupboard for 2 years before I finally took a spoonful!
During my trial period, I can’t say that I actually noticed any improvement in my overall health. I’m not saying that I didn’t experience better health, just that I didn’t feel it. My ferritin had been below 50, and I had become a regular blood donor. Either just prior to just after donating blood I get a blood test to measure my level.
On February 14, before I started taking DE, and after a blood donation, my ferritin was 44. Acceptable. I was scheduled for another donation 56 days later on March 28, but I wasn’t able to make it to my appointment. I was worried that my ferritin would be soaring and that I may require a therapeutic phlebotomy in addition to a blood donation. I went for a blood test to measure my ferritin in mid April. I had now been consuming DE daily for about 3 weeks. This is where things got interesting…
3 Weeks on DE and No Blood Donation…
I was shocked (and a little frightened) when I learned that my ferritin had dropped 6 points to 38 – without having shed any blood!
Where Did The Iron in My Blood Go?
My doctor had no explanation. An ultrasound and other tests did not reveal any internal bleeding – which was my (and my doctor’s) fear. I went online and started searching for an explanation. What I found was that some people are using DE for chelation purposes – to remove heavy metals, such as mercury, from the body. If it can remove mercury why not iron? DE was the only thing that I had added to my routine. I decided to stay off the DE for a month and retest. If my ferritin went up, that should be an indication that it was likely the DE that brought it down.
And the Result is in…
On May 23, I had my ferritin tested and it had gone back up to 48. Once again, my body is holding onto iron. Now, if I was bleeding internally, or otherwise, there is no way that my ferritin would go up by such a large amount in one month.
I am now back on DE – day 2. In 3 weeks I will retest and see if my iron drops again and will report the results here.
If you or someone you know has hemochromatosis, try it or share this post with them!
Diatamaceous Earth has many other health benefits
It addresses issues by removing toxins from the body. Here is a partial list of issues addressed by eating DE:
- Bacteria
- Parasites
- Fungi
- Protozoa
- Viruses (including poliovirus)
- Endotoxins
- Pesticide and drug residues
- E-Coli
- Heavy metals (including methyl mercury)
- Proteinaceous toxins produced by some intestinal infections
While dealing with the above toxins, DE will NOT harm the beneficial bacteria (flora) in the gut. I am no chemist, but the reason that it leaves the healthy stuff alone has to do with negative and positive charge.
It is also reported to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. My blood pressure was quite high. It is now in the normal range, but I cannot say for 100% that it is due to taking DE. I am also taking Ubiquinol – which I believe is having a positive impact on my BP… more on that in another post!
This is where my friend gets her DE:
http://www.earthworkshealth.com
Hey there? Any progress with this?
Hi Julie,
I apologize for not responding! Your comment got sent to spam for no good reason!
I have issues with continuing to take the DE. It’s silly, but I tend to go in spurts. I get out of the daily habit and it becomes difficult to get back into it… I can tell you that I continue to notice that my iron levels stay low, without phlebotomies, when I am consistently taking my DE. I have recently just got back into the routine :/
Hi I have high iron levels as well and am awaiting my genetic test. How are you getting on with DE.
I would love to here back from you.
Hi Will,
The DE continues to help with keeping my iron levels under control! I still donate regularly, but I find that if I miss a blood donation (or several), I don’t overload like I did before DE. I have made no other dietary changes. Let us know what your genetic test reveals!
Hi
Sorry for the late reply. I am still waiting for my Genetic test to come back. Great to here that DE works for you. I will how ever be going on the GAPS diet once I get my results. This will heal the gut and there for blood letting will not be necessary. It goes with the understanding that most diseases are created in the Gut from poor gut health leaky gut and thus if you heal the gut you heal the problem. I had a consult with a lady here in NZ and she had a client who went on this diet and as soon as she started this diet her levels dropped and blood letting was not needed. The website is http://www.gapsdiet.com you should have a look at it.
So have you got your Genetic test back yet? How often and how much blood to you have to give. I use magnesium chloride every day which helps absorb the iron in the body.
So where do you live in the world?
Please stay in contact with me. You are the first and only person I have really talked to online about this and would love to here more about your journey through this.
Will
I agree about the GAPS diet curing many health problems, but when it comes to hemochromotosis, unfortunately, it is a genetic issue. The only proven way to decrease iron in the blood is to remove blood. Diet will have an impact on health in general, but as far as I know there is no diet that will help with this condition. Of course there are things you can do to minimize absorption. Such as not eating vitamin C foods with iron foods. GAPS increases vitamin and mineral absorption so it may actually not be helpful for hemochromotosis. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it however! In my opinion, the benefits of GAPS diet out weighs the risk of increased iron absorption that can be dealt with easily by giving the gift of blood donation!
Thanks for your comments. My email address has changed to kiwilampo@gmail.com. Its nice to get realistic comments. My levels are now down to 310 and falling which is great. I am convinced it is down to the GAPS diet and of course blood letting. As for Vit C. Like you said it can increase the iron levels in the body. The funny thing is that they say the same with the consumption of meat/bone broths which I eat on a daily basis at least 2 times a day but levels still seem to be dropping. I only take Vit C when I am sick where as I use to take it every day. I also use Mangensuim Chloride on my body every day which helps absorb the excess iron.
You seem to know quite a bit a bout Hemo. Can you tell me from what you understand. Hemo is a Genetic disorder which I know. But is that the body produces to much Iron or is that it can not get rid of Iron in the body. No body seems to answer me on that question.
How is your journey going.
Ps sorry about the bad spelling
That’s great that your ferritin level is dropping! I try to keep mine around 50, but I have to admit, I’m late for a donation, and for blood work to see where my level is at. I believe that for those of us with Heriditary Hemochromatosis (HHC) our bodies do not metabolize iron the way they should. Any iron that we take in, stays in. The normal total body iron stores may range from 2 to 6 gm, but persons with HHC have much greater stores because they absorb dietary iron at 2 to 3 times the normal rate. Persons with HHC accumulate iron at a rate of 0.5 to 1.0 gm per year. I also take Vitamin C when I’m sick. The trick is not to take it at the same time as you consume dietary iron.