Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin for all animal species

Clinical Evaluation of a Defined Zeolite-Clinoptilolite Supplementation Effect on the Selected Blood Parameters of Patients

The natural clinoptilolite material is an inorganic crystal mineral called zeolite. It has been extensively studied and used in industrial applications and veterinary and human medicine due to positive effects on health. Limited data is available in the scientific literature about its effects on the levels of physiologically relevant minerals in the human organism. Accordingly, we performed a comprehensive and controlled monitoring of the relevant mineral and contaminants levels in human subjects supplemented with a certified clinoptilolite material within three clinical trials with different supplementation regimens. Effects of a registered and certified clinoptilolite material PMA-zeolite on selected mineral and metal levels were determined by standard biochemical methods and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the blood of subjects enrolled in three clinical trials: short-term (28 days, Mineral Metabolism and selected Blood Parameters study MMBP), medium-term (12 weeks, Morbus Crohn study), and long-term (4 years, Osteoporosis TOP study) supplementation. Lower concentrations were observed for copper (Cu) in patients with osteoporosis, which normalized again in the long-term supplementation trial, whereas sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca) levels diminished below the reference values in patients with osteoporosis. In the short- and long-term supplementation trials, increased levels of lead (Pb) were observed in PMA-zeolite-supplemented subjects, which decreased in the continued long-term supplementation trial. Increased levels of aluminum (Al) or Pb attributable to eventual leakage from the material into the bloodstream were not detected 1 h after intake in the short-term supplementation trial. Nickel (Ni) and Al were statistically significantly decreased upon long-term 4-year supplementation within the long-term supplementation trial, and arsenic (As) was statistically significantly decreased upon 12-weeks supplementation in the medium-term trial. Alterations in the measured levels for Na and Ca, as well as for Pb, in the long-term trial are probably attributable to the bone remodeling process. Checking the balance of the minerals Cu, Ca, and Na after 1 year of supplementation might be prescribed for PMA-supplemented patients with osteoporosis.

Clinical Trial Registration

[https://clinicaltrials.gov], identifiers [NCT03901989, NCT05178719, NCT04370535, NCT04607018].

Application of natural and synthetic zeolites in the oenological field

Zeolites are crystalline hydrated aluminosilicates, of natural or synthetic origin, characterized by a microporous structure and high adsorption properties. They are employed as soil amendments and fertilizer carriers in agriculture, as catalysts, detergents, adsorbents and molecular sieves in many chemical processes, as well as in water and soil decontamination, and in food processing. They have been also tested in the oenological field for several potential applications; yet an overview on such topic is not still available. The present review summarizes the recent and innovative applications of zeolites in winemaking and supplies a critical discussion about their potential to prevent protein haze, tartrate instability or the appearance of certain defects, like light-struck off-flavour and earthy off-flavours. Further applications of these minerals in the management of winery wastes and in the analytical field are also reviewed. The outcomes of this work evidenced the need of further research on the use of zeolites in oenology for better exploiting their peculiar sorption and exchange properties, selecting the most efficient natural types and improving the performances of the synthetic ones, without disregarding the potential secondary effects of these treatments on wine quality.

Zeolite Improves High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperglycemia, Hyperlipidemia and Obesity in Mice

Zeolite, an abundant mineral in the Earth's crust, is utilized in a wide range of fields because of its well-known adsorption properties. Its application as a functional food ingredient resembling dietary fiber is expected, but it has not yet been investigated in the context of prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate the availability and safety of a natural zeolite preparation for this purpose. Acute oral toxicity testing showed that the lowest lethal dose of zeolite was more than 2,000 mg/kg body weight for both male and female mice. In a prolonged feeding test for 18 wk using model mice with high-fat-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, intake of a 10% zeolite-containing diet suppressed body weight gain, as well as liver and visceral fat weights, without any changes in food and energy intake. Moreover, plasma lipid (triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol) levels and fasting blood glucose levels decreased in parallel with zeolite intake. No changes in the glycated hemoglobin level were found. However, in an oral glucose tolerance test at week 12, increased postprandial blood glucose levels were suppressed in accordance with zeolite intake, and then insulin secretion was also decreased. On the other hand, a decrease of plasma amylase activity and increases in total bilirubin and urea nitrogen suggested the need for further investigation of safety.

Treatment of osteoporosis with a modified zeolite shows beneficial effects in an osteoporotic rat model and a human clinical trial

The severity of osteoporosis in humans manifests in its high incidence and by its complications that diminish quality of life. A societal consequence of osteoporosis is the substantial burden that it inflicts upon patients and their families. Several bone-modifying drugs have been prescribed to patients with osteoporosis. However, evidence for their anti-fracture efficacy remains inconclusive. To the contrary, long-term use of anti-osteoporotic drugs such as bisphosphonates and Denosumab, an RANKL inhibitor, have resulted in adverse events. We now present an alternative and adjuvant approach for treatment of osteoporosis. The data derive from in vivo studies in an ovariectomized rat model and from a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled human clinical study. Both studies involved treatment with Panaceo Micro Activation (PMA)-zeolite-clinoptilolite, a defined cation exchange clinoptilolite, which clearly improved all bone histomorphometric parameters examined from ovariectomized animals, indicative for increased bone formation. Moreover, intervention with PMA-zeolite-clinoptilolite for one year proved safe in humans. Furthermore, patients treated with PMA-zeolite-clinoptilolite showed an increase in bone mineral density, an elevated level of markers indicative of bone formation, a significant reduction in pain, and significantly improved quality of life compared with patients in the control (placebo) group. These encouraging positive effects of PMA-zeolite-clinoptilolite on bone integrity and on osteoporosis warrant further evaluation of treatment with PMA-zeolite-clinoptilolite as a new alternative adjuvant therapy for osteoporosis.

Influence of zeolite (clinoptilolite) supplementation on characteristics of digestion and ruminal fermentation of steers fed a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet

Four Holstein steers (328 ± 14 kg) with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to examine the effect of level of zeolite supplementation (0, 10, 20 or 30 g clinoptilolite-Ca/kg of diet) in a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet on the characteristics of ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestion. Zeolite was top-dressed with the basal diet at time of feeding; therefore, intake of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), starch and N was equal in all treatments. Zeolite supplementation did not affect site and extent of digestion of N or NDF. Zeolite linearly decreased (P < 0.01) NH3-N flow to duodenum, but did not affect duodenal flow of microbial N, feed N, or microbial efficiency. Inclusion of zeolite linearly increased (P = 0.02) ruminal OM digestion and tended (linear, P = 0.08) to increase ruminal digestion of starch. Zeolite supplementation increased (linear effect, P < 0.01) faecal excretion of ash, resulting in decreased total tract DM digestion (linear effect, P = 0.04). However, total tract digestion of OM tended to increase (P = 0.06) with increasing zeolite supplementation. Thus, dilution of the diet with zeolite did not depress dietary digestible energy. There were no treatment effects on ruminal pH. Total ruminal volatile fatty acid concentration tended (P = 0.08) to increase as zeolite increased. Zeolite supplementation decreased ruminal molar proportion of acetate and increased molar proportion of propionate (linear effect, P < 0.01), resulting in decreased (linear effect, P < 0.01) of acetate: propionate ratio. Supplementation with zeolite at levels of up to 30 g of zeolite/kg of diet may enhance ruminal OM digestion, largely due to the tendency of increased ruminal starch digestion. Zeolite supplementation altered ruminal volatile fatty acid molar proportions (decreased acetate : propionate ratio), and therefore may have an positive impact on energy efficiency.