Zeolite is also known to protect the body from harmful microbes. So apart from just improving the immune health, zeolite is also a powerful antimicrobial. This means that it has the ability to fight potentially harmful viruses, bacteria and fungi.
In fact, the effectiveness of zeolite is the reason why it has been used by physicians to treat dental plaque formations and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Both of these conditions are caused by pathogenic microbes.
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Other studies have also proven that zeolite has antiviral properties since it has the ability to absorb viral particles within the zeolite cages. It has also been suggested that zeolite can reduce pathogenic bacteria. What makes is the best antimicrobial is the fact that it doesn’t have negative effects on the beneficial microbes in the gut.
To understand how zeolite works as an antimicrobial, first you need to know that zeolites are nanoporous alumina silicates that are composed of aluminum, silicon and oxygen in a framework with cations, water within pores. The cation contents of zeolites can be exchanged with monovalent or divalent ions.
According to studies, the antimicrobial properties of zeolite type X and A with different AI/Si ratio, ion exchanged with Ag(+), Zn(2+), and Cu(2+) ions were individually investigated. This study presented the synthesis and manufacture of four different types of zeolite that are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Zeolite’s ion loading capacity was also examined and was also compared with the antimicrobial characteristics against a wide range of microorganisms such as mold, yeast and bacteria. The observations recorded showed that Ag(+) ion-load zeolites had more antibacterial activity as compared to other metal ion-embedded zeolite samples.
According to these results, it is true to say that various synthetic zeolites can be ion exchanged with Ag(+),Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) ions so that they can acquire antimicrobial properties that can provide a stronger or prolonged activity. The studies also suggested that zeolite formulations could be combined with different materials used in the manufacture of medical devices, textiles, surfaces or household items where antimicrobial properties is a requirement.