I have been using DE for 7 yrs. I mix it with water and drink it. Given to animals and it gets rid of all intestinal worms. Dust him on the outside keeps the fleas and ticks off. My vet is even using it now. It has no side affects once so ever. I even put it in the cats food-mix it up. I am a retired nurse. There are many of us on it, as well as vets and their animals.