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Activated Charcoal

Activated CharcoalCarbon is one of the most common of all elements on earth. Its presence makes salts organic. Interestingly enough, carbon exists in numerous forms in nature with quite different properties. Thus, a lump of coal and diamonds both are mainly made of carbon. Activated Charcoal is also primarily made of carbon, but its specific structure is responsible for its unique health benefits.

It is generally produced from bone char, peat, coals, or even sawdust. It is coal created by processing carbon-rich products at extremely high temperatures, thus creating charcoal with minute pores. These minute pores can absorb toxins and even influence various metabolic activities in the body.

However, ordinary charcoal used to produce heat in ovens would not work as it has a different structure. Moreover, such charcoal may contain impurities that might be damaging to health.

Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal

Below are some of the well-known health benefits of Activated Charcoal:

  • Manage Poisoning or Intoxication

    Since it can absorb various substances, Activated Charcoal is quite good for managing poisoning. Activated Charcoal binds with toxins and prevents their absorption by the gastrointestinal tract. Activated Charcoal may help with most toxins except alcohol, some metals like lithium and cyanide. Consuming Activated Charcoal may also help prevent the toxic effect of overdose of medications like aspirin, carbamazepine, cardiac glycosides, theophylline, and much more. It may also help prevent absorption of industrial toxins by the body.1

  • Good For Chronic Renal Failure

    Those living with kidney disease cannot easily remove toxins from the body. Even worse, many of the toxins created during digestion get absorbed, but they cannot be removed from the bloodstream due to poor kidney function. Activated Charcoal may bind with these toxins, prevent their absorption, and therefore help those living with chronic renal disease.2

  • Prevent Fishy Odour in Some

    Some individuals are living with a genetic disorder in which they fail to process trimethylaminuria (TMAU) in the body created by digestion of some food products. This may lead to a specific and unpleasant body odour being produced by these individuals. One Japanese study demonstrated considerable benefit from consuming 1.5 grams of activated charcoal a day for ten days.3

  • Lowers Bad Cholesterol

    Studies show that regular intake of Activated Charcoal may have a significant cholesterol-lowering effect. This may be due to various reasons like binding to gall bladder juices, reducing digestion, and absorbing some fats. In one study, consuming 8 grams of activated charcoal three times a day could reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as 41%.4

  • Prevent Bloating and Help With Diarrhea

    Activated Charcoal can absorb toxins and prevent their absorption and appears to help well with gastrointestinal disorders. Consuming Activated Charcoal may help reduce bloating, abdominal discomfort and in some cases, Activated Charcoal may be used to manage diarrhea as an add on agent.5,6

Side Effects of Activated Charcoal

There are no known severe side effects of consuming Activated Charcoal. However, in a small number of cases, it may cause mild side effects like nausea and vomiting.7 Additionally, it is worth knowing that Activated Charcoal is indigestible, and therefore consuming it in large amounts is not suitable for those at greater risk of intestinal obstruction. Further, since Activated Charcoal can bind with various medications, it is advisable to be careful in consuming it when on drug therapy for any severe condition.

Properties

  • Cholesterol4
  • Diarrhea5,6
  • Digestive Function1,3
  • Kidney Support2
  • Toxin Removal1

 References:

  1. Neuvonen PJ, Olkkola KT. Oral Activated Charcoal in the Treatment of Intoxications. Med Toxicol Adverse Drug Exp. 1988;3(1):33-58. doi:10.1007/BF03259930
  2. Ali BH, Alza’abi M, Ramkumar A, et al. The effect of activated charcoal on adenine-induced chronic renal failure in rats. Food Chem Toxicol Int J Publ Br Ind Biol Res Assoc. 2014;65:321-328. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.12.038
  3. Yamazaki H, Fujieda M, Togashi M, et al. Effects of the dietary supplements, activated charcoal and copper chlorophyllin, on urinary excretion of trimethylamine in Japanese trimethylaminuria patients. Life Sci. 2004;74(22):2739-2747. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2003.10.022
  4. Kuusisto P, Manninen V, Vapaatalo H, Huttunen JussiK, Neuvonen PerttiJ. Effect of activated charcoal on hypercholesterolaemia. The Lancet. 1986;328(8503):366-367. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(86)90054-1
  5. Sergio G-C, Félix G-M, Luis J-V. Activated charcoal to prevent irinotecan-induced diarrhea in children. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2008;51(1):49-52. doi:10.1002/pbc.21491
  6. Mann N, Cheung E. Activated Charcoal Reduces Lactulose-Induced Breath Hydrogen in Patients with Excessive Gas and in Controls. 2003;10:295-297.
  7. Amigó M, Nogué S, Miró O. [Use of activated charcoal in acute poisonings: clinical safety and factors associated with adverse reactions in 575 cases]. Med Clin (Barc). 2010;135(6):243-249. doi:10.1016/j.medcli.2009.10.053