CALCIUM BENTONITE

​

The nonswelling calcium bentonite (commercially known as Pascalite) is sold in the alternative health market for its purported cleansing properties. It is usually combined with water and ingested as part of a detox diet,in a practice known as geophagy. It is claimed that the microscopic structure of the bentonite draws impurities into it from the digestive system, which are then excreted along with the bentonite. It is also claimed that native tribes in South America, Africa, and Australia have long used bentonite clay for this purpose.

 

Calcium bentonite may be converted to sodium bentonite and exhibit sodium bentonite's properties by a process known as "ion exchange." Commonly, this means adding 5-10 percent of sodium carbonate to wet bentonite, mixing well, and allowing time for the ion exchange to take place.