Silica In Dietary Supplements?

Dr. Nikolaos Tsirikos-Karapanos, PharmD, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon (00:05):

Now you asked me about what if a company replaces the word “zeolite” with the word “silica.”

Denise Stephens, ZOI CEO (00:14):

That’s correct. Silica.  

Dr. Nikolaos Tsirikos-Karapanos, PharmD, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon (00:16):

Okay. I’ve heard absolutely.

Denise Stephens, ZOI CEO (00:19):

I asked that question Dr. Tsirikos because as I was reviewing our product liability insurance that we have, at ZOI Global, I, I was shocked to see a page dedicated to the exclusion of silica. So that’s why I ask the question.

Dr. Nikolaos Tsirikos-Karapanos, PharmD, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon (00:36):

Well, Denise, I’m not surprised that, um, you have such a term in the product liability insurance. Metron Nutraceuticals has the same. We are insured by one of the most recognized brand names in the world of insurance at a the global level. And there is such an exclusion for, silica. Now silica or silicon dioxide is not zeolite. So it would be very interesting, interesting to see how a company can make such a claim that an apple is an orange or an orange is an apple.

Well, again, I would not be surprised. There are many bad actors out there that would say anything, to circumvent the regulations of a territory, specifically the European EFSA (European Food Safety Authorities) regulation and just, remove a label or add a sticker, on top of the existing label and change the ingredient panels in order to just make some sales in Europe.

Dr. Nikolaos Tsirikos-Karapanos, PharmD, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon (01:46):

Now, specifically for, silicone dioxide, let’s see, what is the regulatory status at least in the United States? You know, the zeolite clinoptilolite has a GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status from the FDA. Silicone dioxide under certain conditions can be used as food additive. But let’s, let’s see the actual, FDA document. Okay, so this is from the United States FDA site. The CFR that we see here is the Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. And it says here, Title 21 Food and Drugs, Chapter one, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Food and for Human Consumption. So Part 172 is for silicon dioxide, food additives permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption. Subpart E, anti-caking agents. 172.480 Silicon Dioxide. So the food additive silicone dioxide may be safely used in food accordance with the following conditions.

Dr. Nikolaos Tsirikos-Karapanos, PharmD, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon (03:02):

1. The food additive is manufactured by vapor, et cetera. B. It is used as an anti-caking agent subject to the following conditions:

Number one, it is used in only those foods in which the additive has been demonstrated to have an anti-caking effect… and several other conditions. So, if silicone dioxide is an ingredient of a liquid formulation, I don’t see how one can claim anti-caking in effect in a liquid formulation. So I don’t know. Uh, again, we’ve seen various bad actors in the domain of dietary supplements and in the sub-domain of detox or zeolites, so I will not be surprised. Denise, as you mentioned, silicon dioxide and silica.

I saw some little envelopes in my office out of packaging, where it’s clearly stated “THROW AWAY”, “SILICA GEL”, “DO NOT EAT”, “SILICA GEL”,  “THROW AWAY”.

So, I don’t know how a company could possibly claim that they are offering a liquid dietary supplement with silica or silicon dioxide, but that’s beyond us. Again, it goes to some bad things that happening in the dietary supplements domain and market and, sub-domain of zeolite. One thing for sure, silicon dioxide or silica IS NOT sodium aluminosilicate, which is the zeolite clinoptilolite.

Dr. Nikolaos Tsirikos-Karapanos, PharmD, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon (05:17):

Again, thank you for the opportunity to discuss about the current status of zeolites in Europe and let our friends in Europe know what is the current status, what do we have in our hands at ZOI Global and at Metron Nutraceuticals, and what are the steps that we are taking in order to LAWFULLY, under full respect of the rules and regulations of the EFSA, are going to provide our innovative, stellar dietary supplement formulations in Europe. So Friends, stay tuned.

Denise Stephens, ZOI CEO (06:04):

You know, thank you so much Dr. Tsirikos for that, that brilliant explanation. I know that as a consumer, it can be frustrating when you’re looking across a pond and you’re seeing such a powerful water-soluble a lot, uh, that has been proven, uh, via pharmacokinetic study that has three US patents, like you said, a patent in Russia, Japan, Hong Kong,  on the verge of Korea and applications in 28 European countries, as well as Canada. We get it. And so, to each of you as our future consumers, we ask you to stay tuned. We will keep you briefed; we will keep you updated.

At ZOI Global, we truly are the ZEOLITE GOLD STANDARD.

Thank you.