Does Zeolite Cleanse The Liver? What Science Says?

Zeolite is a natural mineral with a diverse microporous structure, notable for its ion absorption and exchange capabilities. Due to these physical and chemical properties, zeolite has been widely studied in many fields, from environmental science and veterinary medicine to human health.

In recent years, zeolite has gained attention as a detox support solution, particularly for its potential to cleanse the liver — a vital organ responsible for processing toxins in the body. This article focuses on reviewing current scientific evidence about the effects of zeolite on liver function and whether zeolite truly helps cleanse the liver.

Does Zeolite Cleanse the Liver?

Currently, there is no direct medical evidence that zeolite specifically cleanses the liver. However, some studies show that zeolite — especially clinoptilolite — can support indirect detoxification processes, thereby helping to reduce the liver’s workload.

Many believe that zeolite can ‘cleanse the liver’ due to its ability to bind certain toxins — such as heavy metals, ammonia, and other potentially harmful compounds — within the digestive tract, thereby limiting their absorption into the bloodstream. As a result, these toxins can be excreted directly through the gut, reducing the detoxification burden on the liver [1].

Additionally, zeolite has been reported to have antioxidant and immune-modulating effects in the gut, which may positively influence systemic immunity — with the liver playing a key role in this system (Pavelić et al., 2018).

Zeolite can also release minerals such as Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Si during ion exchange, contributing to homeostasis regulation — an important factor in maintaining stable liver function [1].

However, the systemic mechanisms of zeolite are still being researched, and it is not yet certain that it “cleanses the liver” in the traditional sense. Use of zeolite should be based on proper understanding, avoiding overuse or absolute reliance before clear evidence is available.

What is Zeolite?

Zeolite is a group of natural microporous minerals with a three-dimensional crystalline lattice structure formed from silicates and aluminates of alkali or alkaline earth metals (such as sodium, potassium, calcium).

They naturally form from volcanic activity and seawater interaction. This structure creates many small pores containing water and metal ions, giving zeolite a strong ability to adsorb and exchange ions.

Thanks to these properties, zeolite is widely used across many fields, from industry to agriculture and medicine, enabling effective cleansing and detoxification(Mohau Moshoeshoe et al., 2017).

Uses include [2]:

• Industry: desiccants, detergents, water/air filtration.
• Dietary supplements are sometimes marketed in relation to concerns such as cancer, diarrhea, autism, herpes, hangover, pH balance, and heavy metal exposure. However, there is currently no conclusive clinical evidence in humans to support these associations.

Zeolite Properties

The notable properties of zeolite, both natural and synthetic, include that it is not absorbed through the digestive tract, meaning it acts only within the intestines.

This characteristic ensures that zeolite exerts its effects locally in the gut without systemic absorption, which is important for its safety profile and targeted action.

In the review article "Beneficial properties of zeolite" by Oggiano et al. (2023), both natural and synthetic zeolites are highlighted for their remarkable physicochemical properties that contribute to detoxification and overall health support. These properties include:

Ion absorption & exchange – “Trap toxins, release benefits”: Zeolite acts like a smart sponge:

• Adsorbs toxins such as ammonia, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury...), mycotoxins (mold toxins).
• Exchanges beneficial substances like calcium, magnesium, sodium...

Thanks to this mechanism, zeolite has a strong natural detoxification ability for humans, animals, and soil.

Multiple in vivo and in vitro studies have confirmed the detoxification role of zeolite due to its ion-exchange and adsorption capabilities, enabling the removal of mycotoxins, ammonia, heavy metals, and organic compounds (Pan et al., 2021).

Zeolite facilitates the elimination of toxins through the intestine (EFSA, 2017) and is being researched for use in potential therapeutic applications due to its antioxidant and hemostatic properties (Pavelic & Hadzija, 2003).

In humans, zeolite may help reduce excess ammonia—a factor linked to colorectal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis (Schneider et al., 2017; Adeyemo et al., 2017).

Antioxidant – Cell protection: Zeolite helps the body to:

• Activate antioxidant enzymes (such as catalase, superoxide dismutase...).
• Reduce cell damage caused by free radicals

Some studies show zeolite reduces oxidative stress in both smokers (Li et al., 2022), and patients (Čutovic et al., 2017).

A 2017 pilot study on 41 individuals with dyslipidemia found that clinoptilolite—a naturally occurring, activated mineral—may improve lipid profiles. After 8 weeks of use, total cholesterol and LDL-c levels decreased by 20–25%, with the most significant effect in the group taking 6g/day of fine-grind powder. The benefits diminished after discontinuation, and no side effects were reported (Čutovic et al., 2017).

Digestive support & gut balance:

• Zeolite interacts with compounds in the digestive tract and may contribute to maintaining a balanced gut environment.
• It has been studied for its ability to bind unwanted substances in the intestines, helping reduce toxin accumulation.
• Zeolite may support the intestinal barrier and promote a stable microbial environment, which plays a role in overall digestive well-being.

Facilitates detoxification and blood purification [4]:

• Zeolite may bind to certain compounds like ammonia in the digestive tract — which can result from high-protein diets or impaired metabolism — and support their natural elimination through the intestines.
• Assists in the elimination of drug residues and harmful metabolites through its binding properties, supporting the body's natural detox pathways.

Safe & body/environment friendly [4]:

• Recognized as safe by FDA and EFSA for humans and animals.
• Non-allergenic, does not accumulate long-term in the body.
• Can be used long-term as a natural health supplement.

Wide applications across many fields [4]:

• Agriculture: reduces heavy metal toxicity in soil, retains water and minerals for crops.
• Animal feed: accelerates growth, improves digestion and nutrient absorption in livestock.
• Food industry: helps preserve food freshness, deodorizes.
• Medicine: supports digestive disorders, reduces inflammation, and is investigated for its potential role in managing oxidative stress.
• Environment: helps remediate polluted water, air, and soils contaminated with heavy metals and radioactivity.

Potential drug carrier in medicine: Natural zeolites have great potential as drug carriers in medicine due to their porous structure, high adsorption capacity, and cation exchange ability, which help retain and release drugs in a controlled manner.

Their good biocompatibility also supports safety for use in the body. However, before widespread application, thorough characterization of their physical, chemical, and biological properties is necessary to ensure effectiveness and safety when used as pharmaceutical excipients or drug delivery systems (Krajišnik et al., 2020).

Unique structural properties determine its uses:

• Zeolite is a form of aluminosilicate crystal with countless small pores (like a honeycomb).
• Depending on the Si/Al ratio, zeolites have different ion absorption and exchange capacities.
• For example, clinoptilolite (natural) is highly effective and most commonly used.

Benefits of Zeolite for Liver Detoxification

Zeolite does not directly “cleanse” the liver, but it can support liver function in the following ways:

Reducing toxin load on the liver:

By binding these substances in the intestines before they enter the bloodstream, zeolite helps reduce the number of toxins reaching the liver. This “first-line filtration” role allows the liver to focus on internal metabolic tasks, rather than processing external toxic burdens.
“It enables the excretion of toxins from the intestine together with zeolite.”
– Beneficial properties of zeolite (Oggiano et al., 2023).

However, most of these studies were conducted on animals or cells, so further clinical evidence in humans is still needed.

In humans, zeolite may help remove excess ammonia — a toxin that can arise from unbalanced diets or high protein intake [4].

Additionally, zeolite also [4]:

• Reduces aflatoxin toxicity (a dangerous mold toxin).
• Enhances antioxidant enzymes and omega-3 (demonstrated in studies on chicken eggs).
• Improves animal feed quality, reduces ruminal acidosis in cattle, and increases microbial safety during feed fermentation.

In summary: Zeolite is a natural adsorbent that supports detoxification for both humans and livestock, with potential applications in medicine and agriculture.

Heavy metal removal:

According to the study by Dervis (2025) on the effects of zeolite, especially clinoptilolite, this mineral can adsorb heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium, and nickel before they are absorbed into the body.

This helps reduce gastrointestinal uptake and promotes elimination of these metals through feces, without redistributing the toxic metals within the body like some other detox agents. Early removal helps reduce the accumulation of toxic metals in the liver[6].

Antioxidant effects:

Zeolite can neutralize free radicals that damage liver cells. It also helps activate antioxidant enzymes in the body, contributing to liver protection from oxidative stress — a main cause of liver injury [4].

Positive effects on the digestive system:

Zeolite may improve gut health via multiple mechanisms:

• Enhancing the intestinal barrier: Zeolite may help strengthen the gut barrier by supporting immune function at the intestinal mucosa and maintaining the integrity of the gut lining. These effects may help reduce exposure to inflammation triggers and limit toxin infiltration, thereby supporting digestive health and overall immune balance [7].
• Improving gut microbiota balance: clinical studies show zeolite has positive effects in protecting and strengthening intestinal wall integrity, improving digestive health, and balancing gut microbiota [8].
• Reducing digestive symptoms: clinoptilolite zeolite (ZC) helps reduce ammonia in the gut, improves intestinal barrier integrity, and balances gut microbiota, thereby reducing digestive symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea — especially in people with high protein intake or colitis (Mastinu et al., 2019).

Other Health Benefits of Zeolite

Some additional benefits of Zeolite include:

Anti-inflammatory: When taken orally, Zeolite helps cleanse the intestines, maintain a healthy microbiome, and support immune regulation. These effects contribute to reducing systemic inflammation and improving overall health, although the precise molecular mechanisms are still being studied [8].

Supports bone health: Zeolite has been shown to support bone regeneration in osteoporosis patients.. In a 4-year clinical study, PMA-zeolite helped regulate important minerals such as calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and heavy metals in the blood — changes believed to be related to bone remodeling.

Additionally, zeolite reduces toxic metals like arsenic, nickel, and aluminum, contributing to improved bone and overall health with long-term use [9].

Skin care: Thanks to its unique microcapillary structure, zeolite helps remove toxins and heavy metals from the skin, opening potential for wide applications in cosmetics and dermatology as a biological cleansing agent [10].

Wound care: Zeolite has been studied for its potential role in supporting the healing process of skin ulcers, other wounds, and surgical incisions, as well as supporting improvement in psoriasis [10].

Brain protection: Clinoptilolite zeolite can adsorb toxins and metabolites, improving gut health and supporting the gut–brain axis. Because of this, zeolite is considered a promising supplement for enhancing neurological and overall health [4].

Supports faster and safer blood clotting [11].

Zeolite is being explored for various biomedical applications due to its drug-loading capacity, ion exchange properties, and high structural stability.

It is under investigation as a potential drug delivery carrier in areas such as oncology, vaccine development, injectable formulations, and tissue engineering. Zeolite’s versatility may contribute to enhancing the delivery efficiency and stability of pharmaceutical products [12].

Is Zeolite Safe for Detoxification

Zeolite, especially clinoptilolite, has been extensively studied for its safety in body detoxification applications. Numerous international studies and regulatory agencies, such as the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), have confirmed that clinoptilolite is non-toxic—even at high doses up to 10,000 mg/kg in animal feed.

Toxicological tests in rats and mice revealed no acute, subacute, or chronic effects, and no impact on reproductive function or genetic material [1]. Since clinoptilolite is not absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, it remains active locally within the intestines.

Beyond its favorable safety profile, clinoptilolite also demonstrates strong binding capacity for heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. By adsorbing these toxins in the gut, it helps reduce their accumulation in the body and promotes elimination via urine.

This suggests zeolite’s potential as a supportive agent in detoxification, especially for individuals exposed to heavy metals. Notably, clinoptilolite does not disrupt the balance of essential minerals and has shown no adverse effects on biochemical or hematological markers during long-term use [1].

However, the safety and effectiveness of zeolite also depend heavily on its origin, particle size, and specific chemical composition. Only pharmaceutical or food-grade zeolite should be used for detoxification purposes.

Industrial-grade zeolite, which can contain harmful forms such as erionite — a fibrous type of zeolite linked to serious diseases like fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, and mesothelioma — must be strictly avoided. Although erionite has been differentiated from clinoptilolite, explicit caution is necessary to avoid the use of non-pharmaceutical, industrial zeolites [2].

Zeolite may interact with various medications due to its ion-binding capacity and ability to alter intestinal pH, potentially reducing the efficacy of antibiotics, iron-containing drugs, and chemotherapy agents.

It can also stimulate unwanted immune responses, so it should be avoided alongside immunosuppressants and in transplant patients. Additionally, zeolite may raise blood potassium levels [2]. Rare side effects such as constipation and mineral loss have also been reported.

In summary, clinoptilolite zeolite is considered safe for use in body detoxification, particularly due to its heavy metal adsorption ability and lack of toxicity in current studies. However, to ensure optimal safety and effectiveness, users should select appropriate products and consult experts for long-term use.

How to use Zeolite for Detoxification

Zeolite commonly comes in three main forms: capsules, powder, and liquid solutions (dissolved). There are also liquid zeolite drops that can be mixed into drinking water. Capsules are very convenient, while powder or liquid forms can be mixed into drinks.

Learn more: 10 Best Zeolite Supplements For Detoxification

According to scientific research, one trial on athletes used about 1.85g of zeolite per day (equivalent to ~6 capsules of 300mg) and showed significant improvements in blood biochemical markers. Typical zeolite doses range from 1 to 3 grams per day. However, dietary supplements usually recommend lower doses to ensure safety [1].

To maximize the effects of zeolite, follow these usage guidelines and precautions:

• Take zeolite at least 30 minutes before or after meals (or “between meals”). Avoid taking it with food or immediately after eating, as this may reduce its absorption efficiency.
• Drink plenty of water when taking zeolite. Liquid zeolite should be well stirred and consumed immediately after preparation to avoid sedimentation.
• Avoid taking zeolite at the same time as alcohol, coffee, or acidic beverages (such as orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, pineapple juice). Zeolite can absorb these substances, so it’s best to space them out by at least 1–2 hours.

Additionally, zeolite can be combined with other active ingredients such as EDTA (Calcium Disodium EDTA) to enhance its detoxification effects, particularly for heavy metal removal. This combination has gained positive feedback from users.

For example, a customer on Amazon, Tiffany – who used a supplement containing zeolite – shared that this formula is "an economical and high-quality choice for supporting detoxification and improving overall health." She appreciated its effectiveness in removing heavy metals and stated she intends to continue using it long-term.*

Conclusion

Current studies indicate that zeolite has potential in supporting the removal of toxins from the body due to its ability to absorb heavy metals and harmful compounds. However, direct evidence regarding zeolite’s ability to cleanse the liver remains limited and requires further in-depth research, especially clinical trials in humans.

Zeolite may serve as a safe complementary approach in the overall detoxification process but should not be considered a primary solution for addressing liver-related concerns. Its use should be combined with a healthy lifestyle and guided by healthcare professionals.