Firstly, I would like to say that most people draw conclusions about this topic from unexperimented and proven facts, which are based on some cultural beliefs that were never checked and have never been proven right.
Today, I will answer this question, which is one of the questions I get asked frequently. As a doctor, when analysing factors, you cannot leave out the contents. So, we will start by analysing the properties of Nzu.
Please keep in mind that Nzu is clay. So, what is clay?
Clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, such as kaolin, Al2Si2O5(OH)4) are found in fine-grained natural soil material called clay.
Clays become plastic when wet due to a molecular film of water surrounding the clay particles, but they become hard, brittle, and non-plastic when dried or fired.
Although most pure clay minerals are white or light in colour, natural clays can have a wide range of colours due to impurities, such as a reddish or brownish colour from trace amounts of iron oxide.
Clay is the world's oldest ceramic material. Prehistoric humans discovered clay's useful properties and used it to make pottery. The first known writing medium was clay tablets, and some of the earliest pottery shards date back to around 14,000 BC. Clay (Nzu) is used in a wide range of modern industrial processes, including paper manufacturing, cement manufacturing, and chemical filtering. One-half to two-thirds of the world's population lives or works in buildings that use clay as a load-bearing structure, often baked into brick.
There are three types of clay: kaolinite, montmorillonite-smectite, and illite. Chlorite, vermiculite, talc, and pyrophyllite are also clay minerals. In these categories, there are about 30 different types of "pure" clays, but most "natural" clay deposits are a mix of these different types, as well as other weathered minerals. Rather than chemical or physical tests, X-ray diffraction is the most effective method for identifying clay minerals in clays.
What is the composition of clay?
Clay has high levels of iron, alkali metals, or alkaline earths. Aluminum hydrous-layer silicates, with magnesium and iron aluminosilicates present on occasion.
Alkali metals (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium. Caustic metal oxides are formed when alkali metals react with air. When exposed to air at room temperature, the heavier alkali metals (rubidium and cesium) will spontaneously ignite.
Heat, hydrogen gas, and the corresponding metal hydroxide are produced when alkali metals react with water. The heat generated by this reaction has the potential to ignite the hydrogen or the metal itself, resulting in a fire or explosion. The heavier alkali metals will react with water more violently.
Alkaline earth are di-valent cations. Calcium and magnesium are common in ground water caused by water percolating through deposits of calcium and magnesium-containing minerals such as limestone, chalk, and dolomite. Ref: here.Both internally and externally, aluminium silicate can cause an allergic reaction. The compound irritates the skin when applied as a powder.
While no studies on internal consumption have been conducted, it is safe to assume that eating this powder can cause gastrointestinal distress. Keep in mind that aluminium silicate is used to keep materials from burning. It is not something you want inside of you. If you consume it, you will almost certainly vomit or need to go to the bathroom. Under no circumstances should you consume the powder. Ref: Naturalpedia.
Clay minerals are primarily composed of silica, alumina or magnesia or both, and water, but iron substitutes for aluminium and magnesium to varying degrees, and significant amounts of potassium, sodium, and calcium are also present.
There are 6 types of clay minerals: (1) kaolin-serpentine (kaolinite, halloysite, lizardite, chrysotile), (2) pyrophyllite-talc, (3) mica (illite, glauconite, celadonite), (4) vermiculite, (5) smectite (montmorillonite, nontronite, saponite), (6) chlorite (sudoite, clinochlore. These groups' information and structural diagrams are provided here.
Can Nzu cause Infertility?
Nzu is clay, and clay is harmful to your health. Your body suffers from a variety of problems, including constipation, diarrhoea, poor skin apparance, heavy menstrual flow, and overworking your kidneys, which are in charge of blood filtration. To answer your question about whether Nzu can cause infertility, the answer is yes.
Nzu contains arsenic and other harmful compositions. Shales (ulo), clays, and specifically clays formed in the sea but now on land (deep-sea clays) are soil-forming rocks with higher arsenic concentrations, though igneous rocks contain a wide range of arsenic concentrations as well (Dragun and Chiasson, 1991). Arsenic levels are typically lowest in sands.
Arsenic occurs naturally in the earth's crust, and mining and commercial uses contribute significantly to its dispersion in the environment. Arsenic is a by-product of the smelting process (the separation of metal from rock) for many metal ores, including cobalt. Arsenic is best known as a poison and a pigment.
Read: Clay Structure.
How does Nzu affect the male reproductive system?
How does Nzu affect the male reproductive system?
Male reproductive system is directly affected by arsenic exposure, as it targets particular reproductive organs and neuroendocrine system and it also disrupt sertoli cells during fetal development. Read more here. Because arsenic targets specific reproductive organs and the neuroendocrine system, as well as disrupting Sertoli cells during fetal development, it has a direct impact on the male reproductive system. Sertoli cells multiply during the prepubertal, fetal, and neonatal periods, and these are the most vulnerable to the harmful effects of arsenic.
The interference in spermatogenesis at cell differentiation stage can reduce the overall sperm count, increased anomalous sperms, and impaired constancy of sperm. As accumulation of arsenic in seminal vesicles, seminal fluid, prostate, and epididymis may impair the sperm progressive motility.
The interruption of spermatogenesis at cell differentiation stage can decline the overall sperm count, and cause sperm DNA damage.
Arsenic accumulation in seminal vesicles, prostate and epididymis reduces the progressive sperm motility
Some epidemiological studies have shown that being exposed to arsenic in the environment raises the risk of sterility in populations. This is because it lowers androgen hormone levels in the body, causes sexual dysfunction, and changes the way chromosomes work. Ref: Intechopen
How does Nzu affect female fertility?
It can cause an obstruction in your intestines. It can also have an impact on how you absorb nutrients and electrolytes. Furthermore, clay or soil can contain harmful germs and heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury. The FDA has issued a warning against using at least two brands of bentonite clay supplements that have been found to contain lead.
Pica is a condition in which people eat things that aren't food. It could be that you aren't getting enough minerals or that you have a mental disorder.
Higher levels of toxicity increased the risk of infertility in women due to hormonal disruption, delayed ovulation, and chromosomal aberration in oocytes. This means that when you eat substances that contain toxic compositions like Nzu, you are increasing your risk of infertility. Ref: Intechopen
According to WHO documentation, more than 10% of women are at risk of infertility due to heavy metal exposure, such as arsenic, which is the most common environmental contaminant that can cause reproductive disorders.
Hormonal imbalance is a major cause of female infertility due to endocrine disruption caused by arsenic toxicity, which is the leading cause of female infertility. Nzu (clay) contains toxic mineral substances that are harmful to human health and that can affect your body's natural fertility ability.
Ovulation problems are a common cause of infertility in women. Higher levels of toxicity increased the risk of infertility in women due to hormonal disruption, delayed ovulation, and chromosomal aberration in oocytes. Hormonal imbalance is a major cause of female infertility due to endocrine disruption caused by arsenic toxicity, which is the leading cause of female infertility.
Ovulation problems are a common cause of infertility in women. Higher levels of toxicity increased the risk of infertility in women due to hormonal disruption, delayed ovulation, and chromosomal aberration in oocytes. Hormonal imbalance is a major cause of female infertility due to endocrine disruption caused by arsenic toxicity, which is the leading cause of female infertility.
Exposure to toxic metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium has been shown to play a big role in making people unable to have children. Most of these metals are found in clay. Ref: Intechopen
Because arsenic can disrupt the neuroendocrine system by inhibiting oestrogen binding receptors and un-regulate progesterone receptors, it is a potential source of oestrogen-dependent diseases in the human population, such as breast cancer, endometritis, and spontaneous abortions.
Arsenic exposure can lead to endometrial dysfunction, premature birth, subfertility, sterility and spontaneous abortions.
Arsenic may act on brain or pituitary or and on germ line cells and affect the female reproductive system such as it reduces ovarian steroidogenesis, prolong diestrus, degenerate ovarian follicles and decrease the plasma level of estradiol and progesterone. Hormonal imbalance is an important cause of infertility in females due to endocrine disruption by arsenic toxicity which is the major cause of infertility in females.
There is no specific treatment for arsenic poisoning. Eliminating arsenic exposure is the most effective way to treat the condition. A full recovery could take weeks or months. It all depends on the length of time you've been exposed. The severity of your symptoms may also be a factor.
Alternative remedies, such as vitamin E and selenium supplements, have been used to minimise the effects of arsenic exposure. These substances are thought to cancel each other out. More human research is needed to support vitamin E and selenium as viable treatment options.
Researchers are also studying the effects of bentonite clay on:
Why pregnant women should not eat nzu (clay)
Exposure to toxic metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium has been shown to have a big effect on a person's ability to get pregnant.Because arsenic can disrupt the neuroendocrine system by inhibiting oestrogen binding receptors and un-regulate progesterone receptors, it is a potential source of oestrogen-dependent diseases in the human population, such as breast cancer, endometritis, and spontaneous abortions.
Arsenic exposure can lead to endometrial dysfunction, premature birth, subfertility, sterility and spontaneous abortions.
Arsenic may act on brain or pituitary or and on germ line cells and affect the female reproductive system such as it reduces ovarian steroidogenesis, prolong diestrus, degenerate ovarian follicles and decrease the plasma level of estradiol and progesterone. Hormonal imbalance is an important cause of infertility in females due to endocrine disruption by arsenic toxicity which is the major cause of infertility in females.
The danger of eating Nzu is not only that it can cause infertility; it can also cause arsenic poisoning and other kinds of poisoning because Nzu (clay) compositions and properties contains substances that aren't good for ingestion (eating).
Treatment for arsenic poisoningThere is no specific treatment for arsenic poisoning. Eliminating arsenic exposure is the most effective way to treat the condition. A full recovery could take weeks or months. It all depends on the length of time you've been exposed. The severity of your symptoms may also be a factor.
Alternative remedies, such as vitamin E and selenium supplements, have been used to minimise the effects of arsenic exposure. These substances are thought to cancel each other out. More human research is needed to support vitamin E and selenium as viable treatment options.
Researchers are also studying the effects of bentonite clay on:
Cancer
Blood clotting
Immune system response
Kidney health
Aflatoxin exposure in children
Before taking oral bentonite or any other supplement, you should talk to your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or taking other medicines.
Blood clotting
Immune system response
Kidney health
Aflatoxin exposure in children
Before taking oral bentonite or any other supplement, you should talk to your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or taking other medicines.
Nzu: "Clay is harmful to human health; this is harmful not only to women but also to men." It damages your system; remember, we always discover something new, and there might be more that has not been mentioned in this article, so always aim to stay healthy and avoid substances that cause harm to your body.
Frequently asked questions about Nzu
Can Nzu cause infertility?
Yes, nzu causes infertility.
Does NZU cause infertility only in women?
Nzu causes infertility in both women and men.
Can Nzu cause infertility in men?
Yes, Nzu causes infertility in men.
Check out the guild on how to stop Nzu Addiction.
