I’ve gotten a lot of emails and messages from IBIH readers asking for updates on my recent issues with food intolerances. First I want to say thank you so much for your concern and well wishes – it really means a lot to me. I’m so excited to let you know that I can now EAT ALL OF THE THINGS!!!!! Which is both good and bad! ha ha!
I went from being able to eat and drink almost nothing without having a reaction, to now being able to eat and drink pretty much anything. I credit this amazing change to the diatomaceous earth I started taking almost 2 weeks ago. In my desperation to find answers to my sudden onset of intolerance to everything, and in getting no answers from the doctors I tried, I did a ton of research online. I tried all sorts of supplements and enzymes in case it was a Histamine Intolerance and saw no improvement.
Mr. Hungry was also doing research and asked me about parasites, because he read that they could cause a sudden onset of food and chemical intolerances. In our research about that, we found diatomaceous earth (DE) which was supposed to kill parasites with no chemicals or herbs, so it was unlikely that I would have a reaction to it. Since DE was also purported to flush out viral, fungal and bacterial pathogens, heavy metals (especially mercury since I have a few amalgam fillings), yeast (Candida) and pesticide residues (we live in an agricultural area and they spray year round here), I thought it was worth trying since all of those things can also contribute to sudden intolerances.
I ordered the Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade ONLY) online and started taking just a teaspoon a day (mixed into water) on an empty stomach, and worked up to a tablespoon a day within a week.
I don’t know how quickly it actually worked, but my last reaction was on a Sunday evening (it was a bad one) and I started taking the DE the next morning and haven’t had a reaction since. I started testing foods in small amounts that Thursday, and nothing produced a reaction. By this past Sunday I was eating everything, and even drank a beer with no issues.
I deliberately pushed the envelope with sugar, gluten, and high sulfite foods like canned tomatoes and aged cheese, just waiting for a reaction to come out of nowhere and it never did (though I felt bloated and awful from eating all that junk). I still can’t believe it! Now that I can eat anything, I’m going back to my low carb/gluten free way of eating (with the occasional splurge) before I gain all the weight back that I lost since January! I’m also very excited to be back in the kitchen and cooking for the blog again. I have lots of recipes on my list to share with you guys soon, and I’m so looking forward to that!
While I can’t be 100% sure that it was the DE that fixed my problem, in my gut I feel strongly that it was no coincidence that my issues went away when I started taking it. I don’t know if it was parasites, or pathogens, or yeast, or built up toxins that were causing my intolerances – maybe it was a combination of things, but I can tell you that in the first week of taking it I saw some very disturbing things getting “flushed” out. That’s all I’m going to say about it, and no I did not take pictures, but I feel a lot better knowing that stuff is gone – whether it was causing my food intolerances or not!
Diatomaceous Earth isn’t just for parasites and all of the other stuff I mentioned, though that alone is more than enough reason for me to keep taking it! There are many, many other health benefits that come from taking DE – including lowering blood pressure and cholesterol! DE is also made up of mostly silica which is crucial for the production of collagen which improves skin tone and the health of your joints and tendons – not to mention gorgeous hair and nails!
I read so many testimonials about DE improving people’s arthritis and joint pain that I told my mother in law about it and she started taking it too. Mr. Hungry is also a believer and has been taking it for over a week, and I’ll be starting our son on it in small doses soon. DE is also used for livestock and pets to control worms and parasites. All of our cats will be starting the DE as well, since that is likely ground zero for a lot of potential parasites that the rest of our family might come in contact with.
There are so many uses for DE that I can’t possibly write about all of them here so I’m going to give you a few great links on it’s many uses, how to use it, where to get it, etc.
FAQ & other DE uses – for pets, livestock, gardens, bedbugs, etc.
Diatomaceous Earth Testimonials 1
Diatomaceous Earth Testimonials 2
Sources to purchase DE online (you can also find it at some health food stores to avoid shipping charges):
To take the DE, stir one tablespoon (you can work up to that amount if you’d like) into about 4 ounces of water. Be very careful not to inhale the dust from it when stirring. Once it’s fully incorporated, drink it down quickly and chase with some more water or your drink of choice. It’s best taken on an empty stomach in the morning or evening before bed (or both if you’re hard core!)
Drink lots of water throughout the day or you may get “bound up” as they say. You may experience some mild stomach discomfort and strange sensations in your abdomen in the first few days (things dying?!?!? Ewww!) which Mr. Hungry and I both did.
It’s also possible to have a Herxheimer Reaction, which is a normal part of detoxing, during which you may experience flu-like symptoms for a few days. This is a result of the toxins being released from the parasites, fungus, viruses, bacteria or other pathogens being killed off. Our family already had a bad cold the week we started taking it so it’s hard to say if we experienced that or not. But if you do, stay the course – it’s a good thing!
If you have food intolerances that randomly just popped up like I did (or even if you’ve had them for awhile), don’t just accept that they are simply there for life like most allergists will tell you. Try the DE – it’s cheap and has many other health benefits so you have nothing to lose! I can’t say enough how glad I am that I found and ordered this amazing product! I’m a believer for life!
If you’ve used DE before with great results (or not) we’d love to hear from you! And if you haven’t yet, but are inspired to research it and try it out for yourself, please do let me know about your experiences with it! I feel like I want to bag it up and hand it out to everyone I know! Hmmm…maybe there is a DE giveaway in the near future – I’ll get on that! ;)
UPDATE 2: I received an email from Larry Smith, the President of Earthworks, who wanted to clear up the misconception about any dangers of inhaling food grade diatomaceous earth – here’s what he wrote: “This is a misunderstanding about food grade DE. There are 2 kinds of DE—food grade and filter grade (used in swimming pool and other filters) Only the filter grade is dangerous to breathe. The “dangerous” part of DE is the amount of crystalline silica that is in it. Filter grade is 65% crystalline silica while food grade is less than 1/10 of 1%! The world health org. has said that diatomaceous earth is safe to breathe as long as the crystalline content is under 2%. Food grade is 20X lower than even that level!!”
So no need to be concerned about any danger associated with using DE for pets, bedding, consumption or anything else – as long as it’s FOOD GRADE! Thanks so much for clearing that up Larry!!! It’s a huge relief to know that I don’t have to worry about that anymore!
Necessary internet disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nor do I have any medical training – I’m just sharing what worked for me. Use this product at your own risk. Also, this is not a sponsored or for profit post, and I have no affiliation with any of the companies that produce this product.
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Mary Beth says
I did not have noticeable critter activity until after I had been taking about a TBSP a day for a month, then decided to almost double my dose, to 2 heaping scoops, so probably 1.5-2 TBSP, and started taking that larger dose twice a day, morning and evening. I did that for a few weeks, backed down to once a day for a few weeks, then went back up to twice a day for another week or two – I was not seeing any evidence of worms any more after that, so I am now on a permanent maintenance dose of 2 scoops every morning, often with a dose of bitters stirred in.
Margo says
Hi Mary Beth
Could you tell me how long it took for your parasite symptoms to go away? I have chronic hives caused by a roundworm infection. I have been taking 1.5 -2 tablespoons for about a month and have noticed less stomach cramping recently. Did you cut sugar and carbs out of your diet while dealing with this? Thanks!
Margo
Mary Beth says
After a month on a single daily dose, I doubled the dose, and started doing it twice a day, and after just a few days of that, I saw some pretty unsettling things, including a whole live worm, fairly large, who looked at me before he turned and swam down the hole in the toilet bowl. I had not actually thought I had parasites, was just trying DE as another ‘good thing’, because of reported benefits on a lot of fronts. The first few times I added the second dose (with a few weeks off in between, I was actually loosely tracking to the new moon, since some worms are active then, and I saw that suggested somewhere), I had a few days of expulsions, then it would quiet down, and I would go back to single dose a day. I did not change my diet, but have been generally low sugar and lowish carb, only grains are occasional rice and a little organic corn, few processed foods.
Margo says
Thank you for writing back:-). I have added a second dose tonight. Fingers crossed!
Thanks again.
Liz says
I would love to know if anyone has had success with eliminating the delayed kind of food intolerance via DE? I’m talking about symptoms that come one 1 – 4 days later. In my case it has been sinusy migraines from gluten, corn flour, dairy. I have been taking 1 tablespoon DE in juice for a month but doesn’t look like these allergies have cleared yet. I still hold hope! By the way TONS of sneezing fits daily when I starting detoxing with DE.
Margo says
Hi Liz. I am like you. I get headaches and muscle pain 1-3 days after exposure. I have been taking DE for about a month. I am still reacting but and hopeful it will change. I will update this if I notice a difference.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Sorry to hear that you are still reacting Liz, hopefully as you continue to detox with the DE your symptoms will improve!
Margo says
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for the input! I have increased to 1 Tablespoon twice a day. So far I am ok. I am certainly feeling a little “toxic” but have been managing it with epsom baths, infrared sweating and detox tea. I will let you know how I am doing in a week. :-)
Mellissa Sevigny says
Great! Can’t wait to hear back! :)
Margo says
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for your reply! Sadly, carrots give me hives too :-(. Thanks for the timeline. I believe you were on it for about 4 months? Were you taking the full dosage of 1 Tblsp, the entire time? I started it a few days ago. I am up to 3/4 tsp, twice a day but I am considering taking the dosage down to once a day. I am amazed at how quickly you responded and am hopeful for a similar story. I was expected to have a herxheimer reaction but did not, which seems promising. I’ll let you know what happens. Fingers crossed! I miss food – haha.
Mellissa Sevigny says
I was on it for around 5 months, and in the first three months I took a heaping Tablespoon every morning on an empty stomach. In the last 2 months I was taking a heaping tablespoon both in the morning and at night. 3/4 tsp twice a day isn’t much, I’d definitely increase it ASAP to get results. I’m not surprised that you haven’t had an H reaction yet by taking so little. As long as you are drinking a ton of water you shouldn’t have any issues by increasing to at least a teaspoon twice a day – and getting to 1 Tbsp as soon as you can stand it. Please do keep me posted – I’m very curious to see if it helps you like it helped me with the reactions! I hope so!!!! :)
Margo says
Hi Melissa,
I am at the point where I can barely eat anything due to food intolerance. (No sugar, dairy, wheat, gluten, corn, coffee, chocolate or black pepper) I am in my 6th month of a parasite cleans (roundworms – lovely) and am going to add DE today. May I ask you what you experienced from your food reactions? Did you have your reactions within 30 minutes of being exposed or within 3 days?
I have chronic hives regardless (which get worse with trigger foods) and before I eliminated my food intolerances I was a mess. Chronic pain, headaches, muscles spasm – you name it. I am intolerant of corn so I was constantly exposed… Thanks for posting this!
Mellissa Sevigny says
My issues were almost immediate Margo, I would have a reaction sometimes instantly and sometimes it wouldn’t hit for an hour. Usually I could tell right away if I was going to have a problem though. I haven’t taken the DE in almost a month, and the last few days I have been feeling the symptoms returning so I’m taking it again. I hope that it helps you too! Also, eating raw carrots on an empty stomach is supposed to be anti-parasitic too. I found that out by accident when I went through a point where raw carrots were all I could eat without reacting! So you might try that as well. I still occasionally eat a few for breakfast and follow it up a few hours later with “real food.”
Keep me posted, I’ll be curious as to whether the DE helps you or not! Hoping so! :)
Tanya says
Could you tell us what exactly your symptoms were?
IanTha1 says
It does work, Take full body picture of your self,. Then keep taking DE and after 6months take a new pic and compare … OHHHHHMYYYYYYY Y!
* I will take this for ever.
Django says
There is zero credible science supporting DE for humans. You really should do some research before posting stuff like this.
Please explain how DE could possibly be of any value when ingested. I’m not talking about baseless general claims, I mean exactly how would it work in the human body?
Mellissa Sevigny says
I’ve done plenty of research, posted links, and also my own personal experiences with DE which have been nothing short of amazing. If that’s not enough for you, and you are really interested in learning more about DE, then I suggest you Google it. I’m not interested in arguing the merits of DE consumption with you or anyone else – I’m simply letting people know what worked for me.
kim aithmitti says
I am new to DE. First day I was constipated then the third day I am getting bring and crawling sensations all over my body with itching. I took a docilax which helped and I think I saw some stuff but not sure. This itchy skin and biting and creator creaky sensation is weird. Is this part of something? I’m freaking out just alittle. Please help. Thank you.
carolina509 says
hi! I just had to chuckle when I saw the posts that say there is no flavor. I started taking DE yesterday and for me, it’s a grin-and-bear-it situation – I’ll keep taking it just as a general health booster (I don’t really have any food issues), but wow … the taste! Blech!! I will try the mint oil with water. Haven’t tried it in juice or yogurt yet. Great info – thank you!!
Mellissa Sevigny says
I’ve gotten used to it, but yeah it’s not flavorless! Chase it with a LOT of water or something flavored to get rid of the grit and aftertaste!
carolina509 says
will do! Great blog!!!
barbara says
I have diverticulitis and irritable bowel, and nervous anxiety, creating horrible bouts of painful diarrhea and equally painful constipation. I am a bit overweight, a bit high in the triglycerides etc. A friend told me about D.E. and to take a tablespoon daily; I tried that for 2 days and must have had 30 huge and profoundly smelly b.m.s, starting early in the dawn and lasting all day. It left me exhausted, sore, and frightened. I highly doubt I have worms; I am uncertain if I should stay on D.E. as the resulting poops are something out of a movie, I have to tell you.
barbara says
oh, and the very painful abdominal spasming during all that pooping — has anyone experienced this?
Jackie says
Those are gluten intolerance symptoms. Doctors who diagnose IBS should be checking for gluten intolerance or even coeliac disease.
GlutenFreeWarrioress on Twitter :)
Mellissa Sevigny says
Hey Barbara! I know it can be disturbing and uncomfortable when this happens, but let me ask you this: Would you rather all that creepy stuff stay inside of you? I had so many strange colors and textures (and weird pains and abdominal sensations!) that first week or two – but I felt a MILLION times better once it had passed. Hang in there and see it through if you can stand it – you’ll be so glad you did!!!
sevlep1 says
I have been using DE on my goats and decided to try it for myself. I am anemic and hypothyroid. I was told hookworms cause it. I did wormers and colon cleanses and still no luck. I have been taking DE for 4 days and day 2 I started coughing up phlegm. Today as day 4 I noticed something worse and unknown in the restroom. I am kind of freaked out but relieved that it is cleaning my system. I had to take pics (gross I know) but I have to ask my doctor if he can say what it is. So far my energy is a little more than normal and I feel a bit better. Hope the progress continues!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Congrats! DE is amazing stuff! And I love that it works so well without the side effects of all of those other herbal and chemical remedies that don’t even work for parasites all the time. I hope you continue to see improvement! Keep me posted, I LOVE hearing DE success stories!!!! If you google parasites and images you can find lots of info – you might be able to find something you can recognize from your photos if your doctor doesn’t know what it is!
Carel says
I have been getting help and answers from this guy :)
http://vimeo.com/68418531