Activated Charcoal
What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal (a.k.a. active carbon, adsorbent charcoal, and medicinal charcoal), is a fine black carbon powder made from natural materials such as wood pulp. Due to its large surface area, activated charcoal has high adsorption properties, meaning that it keeps certain substances from being absorbed in the body’s gastro-intestinal tract.
Health Benefits
Some research has shown that activated charcoal may help in the reduction of LDL (bad) cholesterol, and the increase of HDL (good) cholesterol, although this has not been entirely proven. Activated charcoal may also possibly lower the absorption of certain fatty acids and fatty alcohols, and positively affect lipid levels.
Research has been conducted about the effect activated charcoal has on alleviating digestive complaints such as intestinal gas and diarrhea, and again, this process is not entirely understood by researchers.
Activated charcoal has also been shown to possibly alleviate the symptoms associated with cholestasis of pregnancy, uremic pruritis associated with uremia, and congenital erythropoietic porphyria (Gunther’s disease).
Activated charcoal is commonly used to prevent overdose of certain drugs and medications, though charcoal has no adsorption effect on inorganic poisons.
Usage Indications
Dosages vary depending upon the reason for supplementation. For those desiring possible reduction of LDL cholesterol levels, the general recommended dosage is 5-8 grams, 2-3 times daily. For those using activated charcoal as an anti-flatulent, the recommended dosage is 500-1000mg as needed.
Activated charcoal is available in the following forms: capsules, enteric coated tablets, granules, liquid, and tablets.
- Side effects: May cause black stools, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting in large doses.
- Indications: Those without an anatomically intact gastro-intestinal tract, or any bowel obstruction should not use activated charcoal. Due to its great adsorption properties, activated charcoal should be taken two hours before or two hours after consumption of food, nutritional supplements or medications.
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Product List for Charcoal |
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