Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth Powder, 4 oz & 1.5 lb

What Is Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth?

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a fine off-white powder made from the fossilised shells of single-celled algae called diatoms. Those shells are roughly 80 to 90% amorphous silica, plus trace minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. Remedy's Nutrition Diatomaceous Earth Powder is air-dried and milled — never calcined — so its crystalline silica stays under 2%, the legal food-grade threshold. That single specification separates edible powder from the industrial grades used in pool filters. For the complete science, see our guide to food-grade diatomaceous earth.

Supplement Facts

Serving size: Not stated on the label. Servings per container: -.

This product carries an INGREDIENTS panel, not a Supplement Facts panel. It states no serving size, no servings per container and no directions for internal use.

Other ingredients: None. The product is 100% diatomaceous earth.

Directions: None given on the label.

Made in the USA. Food Chemicals Codex Grade.

Under a microscope, each diatom shell looks like a tiny cylinder or disc riddled with holes. That porous structure gives the powder two useful properties: a huge internal surface area that absorbs many times its weight in moisture, and sharp micro-edges that abrade soft-bodied insects. Deposits form over roughly 30 million years as diatom shells settle into ancient lake and sea beds, then get quarried and milled into the fine powder sold today. The same fossil silica has been used since the 1800s, from filtration to gentle abrasives, and food-grade material is now valued as a mineral supplement.

Diatomaceous Earth Benefits: What the Evidence Shows

Diatomaceous earth is used internally for gut cleansing, cholesterol support, and as a natural source of silicon. Human and animal data are limited but specific, so it is worth separating what is measured from what is marketed. The table below summarises the strongest findings and the dose each used.

The most direct human evidence sits with cholesterol and silicon intake. The parasite and detox claims rest mostly on animal studies and traditional use, which is why we describe them as supportive rather than proven. Our overview of diatomaceous earth benefits for humans covers the full evidence base.

Diatomaceous Earth as a Natural Silica Source

Every half-teaspoon serving delivers roughly 1.5 grams of silica, the mineral form your body uses to build collagen, connective tissue, hair, skin, and nails. Silicon intake in most Western diets runs 20 to 50 mg per day, and higher intake correlates with stronger bone mineral density in population studies. Diatomaceous earth is one of the most concentrated food sources of this trace mineral, which is why many people take it as a gentle daily silica supplement rather than a short cleanse.

Silicon works alongside calcium and vitamin D in bone formation, and it is a building block for the collagen matrix that gives skin its firmness and joints their cushioning. Because the body absorbs only a fraction of the silica in diatomaceous earth — the soluble orthosilicic acid portion — consistent daily intake over 6 to 12 weeks matters more than a single large dose. This is why people seeking hair, skin, and nail benefits treat it as a long-term staple rather than a one-off detox.

Diatomaceous Earth for Parasite Cleansing

The most searched use of food-grade diatomaceous earth is parasite support. The proposed mechanism is mechanical: the microscopic silica shells have sharp edges that abrade soft-bodied organisms in the digestive tract while passing the gut lining unharmed. Controlled human trials are lacking, so we present this as a traditional protocol, not a cure. A typical cycle runs 1 teaspoon daily for 10 days, then 3 to 4 days off, repeated across 90 days to bridge the parasite life cycle. Full detail is in our diatomaceous earth parasite protocol.

The 90-day length is deliberate: many parasites cycle through egg, larval, and adult stages over several weeks, so a short 1-week cleanse can miss eggs that hatch later. The on-off pattern also gives the gut time to rest and rehydrate. Diatomaceous earth is best viewed as one part of a broader approach that includes diet and hydration, not a standalone treatment, and anyone with a diagnosed infection should work with a healthcare provider rather than self-treating.

How to Take Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is taken by mixing the powder into liquid — it does not dissolve, so it must be stirred and drunk promptly before it settles. Start low to let your gut adjust, then build up over a week. Most users take it on an empty stomach, away from medications.

• Start with a half teaspoon in 8 oz of water or juice
• Increase gradually to 1 to 2 teaspoons daily over 7 days
• Drink an extra 1 to 2 glasses of water through the day
• Take 2 hours apart from prescription medication

Our step-by-step diatomaceous earth application guide walks through internal and household use in detail.

Diatomaceous Earth Dosage

Do not exceed 2 teaspoons per day, and always take it with plenty of fluid. For a deeper breakdown by body weight and goal, see our dosage guide for humans.

What to Expect: Diatomaceous Earth Timeline

Diatomaceous earth is a slow, gentle supplement rather than a fast-acting remedy, so patience matters. Because it works mechanically and by adding silica to the diet, changes build over weeks, not hours. Setting realistic expectations is the difference between sticking with a protocol and quitting too early.

• Days 1 to 3: your gut adjusts; keep the dose low and fluids high
• Week 1 to 2: many users notice improved regularity and less bloating
• Week 3 to 6: silica intake starts to support hair, skin, and nail strength
• Day 90: a full parasite-cycle protocol reaches its end point

If side effects like headache or constipation appear, they usually mean you increased the dose too quickly or drank too little water. Scaling back to a half teaspoon and adding 2 glasses of water per day typically resolves them within 48 hours.

Household and Pet Uses

The same food-grade powder doubles as a chemical-free pest control tool. On dry surfaces it kills fleas, bed bugs, ants, and cockroaches through physical dehydration rather than a nerve toxin, so insects cannot build resistance^{[4]Insecticidal effects of native and commercial diatomaceous earth — PubMed View source}. It is also used in gardens and to dust pet bedding. Because it is food-grade, it is far safer around animals than pool-grade dust — though you should still keep pets from inhaling airborne powder. See whether diatomaceous earth is safe for dogs and cats before treating animals.

Food-Grade vs Pool-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

This distinction is the single most important safety point, because the two grades look identical but are chemically different. Pool-grade (filter-grade) diatomaceous earth is heat-treated, or calcined, at 800 to 1,000 degrees C. That process converts the harmless amorphous silica into crystalline silica — often 60% or more — which is a recognised lung carcinogen when inhaled and has caused silicosis in occupational settings^{[5]Severe silicosis due to diatomaceous earth — PubMed View source}.

Only food-grade diatomaceous earth, with under 2% crystalline silica, is safe for internal use or use around people and pets. Never buy pool-grade for any health or pest-control purpose. Our full comparison of food-grade vs pool-grade diatomaceous earth shows how to verify the label before you buy.

Why Choose Remedy's Nutrition Diatomaceous Earth?

Safety, Cautions and Silica Facts

Taken by mouth in food amounts, food-grade diatomaceous earth is generally recognised as safe. The real hazard is inhalation, not ingestion — breathing in fine silica dust of any grade over time irritates the lungs, and long-term occupational exposure to crystalline silica is linked to respiratory disease^{[6]Health hazards due to the inhalation of amorphous silica — PubMed View source}.

Diatomaceous Earth FAQ