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Patented process from Austria

PMA-Zeolite®: what the micro-activation changes

A defined raw material

Not all clinoptilolite is the same. What PANACEO does with the raw material before it goes into a medical device – and how this can be verified.

PMA zeolite powder in a macro shot with visible granulation AI-generated
Brief and to the point

PMA stands for Patented Micro-Activation. Behind this is a chemical-free mechanical process that brings selected clinoptilolite to a defined particle size of 4 to 7 micrometres and increases its accessible internal surface area. The result is a standardised raw material – and the available clinical studies apply only to this. All PANACEO medical devices for oral use are based on this.

4–7 µm

Grain size

defined and checked per batch

IIb

Medical device

CE 0477, Notified Body involved

6 m+

Sold products

since market launch

20 +

Years

Market experience with the procedure

What is PMA-Zeolith®?

PMA-Zeolith® is the raw material from which PANACEO medical devices are made: clinoptilolite of volcanic origin, processed using a patented method. The name is a registered trademark and refers specifically to this raw material – not to zeolite in general.

Why processing matters

Quality, purity and behaviour in the gut vary considerably depending on the deposit, processing and particle size. Two products can both state “clinoptilolite” on the packaging and still differ markedly. Therefore, the designation alone does not in itself indicate quality.

What this means for the evidence base

The clinical studies were conducted with PMA-Zeolith®. Their results cannot be applied to other zeolite products, even if those also contain clinoptilolite.

Scanning electron micrograph of the crystal structure of PMA zeolite AI-generated

The PMA activation step by step

Three stages between raw mineral and approved medical device.

  1. Raw material selection

    Clinoptilolite of volcanic origin is selected. Incoming inspection checks purity, clinoptilolite content and the absence of harmful substances. Material that does not meet the requirements is not processed.

  2. Mechanical activation

    The patented PMA process treats the crystal structure purely mechanically – without chemicals. In the process, the accessible internal surface area is increased and the grain size is brought within a defined range.

  3. Quality Control and Approval

    Each batch is tested for particle size (4 to 7 µm), adsorption capacity and purity. Only after passing quality control is it released for production, and it remains traceable via the batch number.

On particle size

The particles in PMA-Zeolith® are on average 4 to 7 micrometres – about a thousand times larger than nanoparticles, which by definition are under 100 nanometres. The particle size is checked for each batch.

More about security matters

PMA-zeolite® and non-activated clinoptilolite

The table compares verifiable characteristics. How a specific third-party product performs depends on the respective manufacturer – which is why it states what to check rather than giving a blanket assessment.

Characteristic PMA-Zeolite® PANACEO Other Clinoptilolite depending on the provider
Processing Procedure Patented mechanical micro-activation, without chemicals Check the manufacturer's information
Clinoptilolite content over 80%, university-verified Enquire about the percentage indicated on the packaging or ask the manufacturer
Grain size in micrometres 4 to 7 µm, tested per batch Only rarely specified
Product status Medical device Class IIb, CE 0477 Check the labelling on the packaging
Quality management ISO 13485 Check the manufacturer's specifications
Studies in humans Available, verifiable via DOI Check citation
Place of manufacture Austria, Carinthia Check origin information
Traceability About the batch number Check batch information

Quality assurance and origin

Class IIb medical device

Intended purpose, clinical evaluation, risk analysis and instructions for use are required, as is the involvement of a notified body. Its identification number appears as CE 0477 on the packaging.

ISO 13485

The international standard for quality management systems for medical devices. Every step from the selection of raw materials to packaging is documented and monitored.

Inspection per batch

Particle size, adsorption capacity and purity are not tested just once for approval, but for every batch. The results are traceable via the batch number.

Manufacturing in Austria

Raw material selection, PMA activation and final inspection take place in Carinthia. Short distances and continuous documentation of the manufacturing chain.

Medical device, food supplement or medicinal product?

Three categories, three different procedures – they are not directly comparable.

Medical device

A medical device acts physically, not pharmacologically. For Class IIb, a defined intended purpose, a clinical evaluation, a monitored quality management system and a notified body are required. The higher the class, the more extensive the evidence the manufacturer must provide.

Food supplement

Clinoptilolite may not be sold as a food supplement in the EU – it lacks authorisation as a novel food.

Medicinal product

A medicinal product undergoes its own authorisation procedure with different requirements for evidence of efficacy. PMA-Zeolith® is not a medicinal product and is not advertised as such.

Mineral powder in a glass dish next to test documents and a measuring instrument on a laboratory bench AI-generated

What has been researched into PMA-Zeolith®

Three findings from the clinical investigations. The full overview with method, result and source is available on the studies page.

RCT, double-blind

Intestinal barrier

In a randomised, double-blind study with 52 participants over 12 weeks, the marker zonulin decreased significantly.

To the study
Clinical Monitoring

Selective binding

Nickel, aluminium and arsenic decreased in the blood, and mineral status remained essentially stable.

To the study
Security

No aluminium from the grid

No increase in blood aluminium levels after twelve weeks of intake; with long-term use, levels decreased.

To the study

Products with PMA-Zeolith®

All products contain the same raw material. They differ in their intended purpose and dosage form.

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For IBS & leaky gut
Discount: −30 %
PANACEO MED DARM REPAIR Powder 200 g
ZEOLITE MEDICAL DEVICE · GUT HEALTH
MED GUT REPAIR Powder

100% PMA zeolite – CE-certified medical device for IBS & leaky gut.

Regular price: From €24.90

Content: 0.2 kg (€150.15 / 1 kg)

€0.91 per day instead of Previously: €1.30
For gut detox
Image of the PANACEO BASIC DETOX powder 200g tub – medical device for effective intestinal detox with PMA zeolite
ZEOLITE PRODUCT · GUT DETOX
BASIC DETOX Powder

Effective gut detox with pure PMA zeolite – as a powder.

Regular price: From €34.90

Content: 200 g (€17.45 / 100 g)

from €1.06 per day
For active people
Product image of PANACEO SPORT PURE powder 200g, zeolite powder with PMA zeolite to support performance, recovery and gut health in sport
PANACEO SPORT · PMA ZEOLITE
SPORT PURE Powder

PMA zeolite powder – easy to stir into water or sports drinks.

Regular price: From €34.90

Content: 200 g (€0.17 / 1 g)

from €1.06 per day
Supportive therapy care
PANACEO MED THERAPY-PRO powder 200 g in a white tub with orange labelling, front product image
ZEOLITE MEDICAL DEVICE · SUPPORTIVE THERAPY
MED THERAPY-PRO Powder

Medical device with PMA zeolite for supportive use during therapy.

Regular price: From €34.90

Content: 0.2 kg (€174.50 / 1 kg)

from €1.06 per day

Frequently asked questions about PMA-Zeolith®

What is PMA zeolite?

A standardised raw material made from clinoptilolite of volcanic origin, processed using a patented method. PMA-Zeolith® is a registered trademark and refers precisely to this raw material. All PANACEO medical devices for oral use are based on it.

What does PMA stand for?

For patented micro-activation. It is based on a mechanical process without chemicals that modifies the crystal structure, increases the accessible internal surface area, and brings the particle size to 4 to 7 micrometres.

What distinguishes PMA zeolite from other clinoptilolite?

Five things can be verified: the specified clinoptilolite content of over 80 per cent, the defined particle size, the status as a class IIb medical device with CE 0477, quality management in accordance with ISO 13485, and the clinical investigations carried out with precisely this raw material. For other products, it is worth looking at the same five points.

Does PMA zeolite contain nanoparticles?

No. On average, the particles are between 4 and 7 micrometres, around a thousand times greater than the nanoparticle threshold of 100 nanometres. The particle size is checked for each batch.

Where is PMA-zeolite manufactured?

In Carinthia, Austria – from raw material selection through activation to final inspection.

Is PMA-Zeolith a medicinal product?

No. It is a Class IIb medical device. A medical device acts physically, a medicinal product pharmacologically, and both undergo different procedures. As a food supplement, clinoptilolite cannot be sold in the EU because it lacks authorisation as a novel food.

Dr. Horst Poosch
Regulatory review by Dr. Horst Poosch Head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, PRRC
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Written by DI Dr. Katrin Greimel Head of Research & Development

Last checked on

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