Activated Charcoal

Have you seen the many new activated charcoal beauty and health products being marketed online recently? Have you stumbled upon the “Activated Charcoal Mask” YouTube videos and wonder what all of the hype is for?

Today, I’m going to share a little about the benefits of activated charcoal to your personal health. Beyond being a fairly new hyper popular trend, activated charcoal presents many benefits for a variety of different things. First, what is activated charcoal? It is a fine black powder that can be purchased loose or in capsule form. Though newly buzzing around the internet, medicinal uses for activated charcoal actually date back to Ancient Greek medicine.

Activated charcoal is a common emergency room staple and is highly effective at removing toxins from the body. Therefore, it is used in emergency settings to help remedy drug and alcohol overdoses. Let’s take a closer look at what activated charcoal is, how it functions, and how it can benefit you if incorporated into your daily routine.

Activated charcoal is not the same as the charcoal you may use to grill in the summer or sketch with in an art course. Activated charcoal is specifically processed through heating to have small pores, which in turn increase the surface area of the compound. This boosts its ability to absorb liquids, and in this case, toxins and other harmful substances. It also renders the compound nonpolar, which allows it to bind itself with pollutants from liquids or gasses up to 1,000 times its weight.

So, what ingredients make up activated charcoal, and how is the heating process achieved? There are many possibilities, but the activated charcoal used for medicinal purposes tends to come from coconut shells and bamboo that has been heated to result in char. From there, the char is placed in a furnace for activation at a temperature between 1, 700° to 1,800° Fahrenheit in a steam filled chamber void of oxygen. This porous “active” charcoal is consumed in powder or pill form. As it passes through the body, it absorbs toxins and other harmful substances and is eliminated through the bowel. Because of this, activated charcoal reduces discomfort due to excess gas in the digestive tract.

Activated charcoal is also an excellent option for those with certain chronic illnesses, such as Lyme disease and its co-infections, as it absorbs both endotoxins, exotoxins and neurotoxins. Endotoxins are toxins present in inside bacterial cells that are released as the cell disintegrates. Exotoxins are the toxic outer shell of the bacteria. Neurotoxins are contaminants that damage the nervous system. Specifically, activated charcoal is heralded for its success in assuaging Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions, which are classified as a reaction to endo and exotoxin-like products that get released due to the death of harmful microorganisms in the body during the body’s healing process. In addition to helping with gastrointestinal health, activated charcoal also succeeds in whitening teeth. This is achieved by covering teeth with the black charcoal powder. Though it will temporarily turn the mouth black, this will rinse away and reveal a whiter smile. Activated charcoal used in this manner can also eliminate bad breath and prevent gum disease, as it alters the pH balance in your mouth. With activated charcoal having so many benefits, one might wonder if there are there any side effects or potential issues associated with using this product.

It is important to be aware that while activated charcoal excels at absorbing harmful substances from the body, it also is known to absorb good substances, such as antibiotics or other medication you may be on, rendering them useless. Luckily, there is a simple and effective fix to this. Just make sure to take all medications at least two hours apart from when you take the activated charcoal so the medication has an opportunity to absorb into your system uninterrupted by the charcoal. In addition, take on an empty stomach to avoid absorption of beneficial nutrients gained from food. Want to try out activated charcoal? A typical dose contains 500mg and should always be taken with a full glass of water. Because of activated charcoal’s absorption powers, it can cause dehydration. It is recommended to drink between twelve and sixteen glasses of water per day when using activated charcoal.

If you think activated charcoal may be beneficial to you for help with stomach discomfort, chronic illness, or to generally improve overall health, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare professional to confirm appropriate dosage for your body needs. Please call or message Stand Wellness if you would like more information on the different forms of activated charcoal or further benefits of taking such.