Activated charcoal is often used to detoxify the body. But, this all natural powder can be used in other ways. What are the activated charcoal uses?
Activated charcoal. That's when the grill is fired up and it's time to get your barbeque on, right?
Not quite. Activated charcoal is an all-natural ingredient. It's a health supplement usually sold as a powder or pill. There are several activated charcoal uses and benefits. A common use is to treat diarrhea and other stomach imbalances. It's also used to purge poisons from the stomach. For this reason, hospitals keep it in stock.
Some people even brush their teeth with activated charcoal. Why would anyone do that? It's done to whiten their teeth.
It may sound unappetizing to ingest it. But, activated charcoal is nontoxic. It's a black, fine powder. And, it's super effective at absorbing toxins. That's why it's used in medical settings. It's used when doing stomach pumps. It helps purge the stomach and intestines. Activated charcoal uses include cases of overdose or accidental swallowing of a household cleaner, for example.
Activated charcoal does not work on everything. Known exceptions are certain alcohols, cyanide, and metals such as iron and lithium. These exceptions are noted in this review published in Medical Toxicology and Adverse Drug Experience. The authors of the study suggest taking activated charcoal for acute intoxications. The dose recommended is 50 to 100g for adults. For children, the amount is about 1 gram per kilogram of bodyweight. These doses should be administered as soon as possible. It's also recommend to include activated charcoal in first-aid kits both at home and at work.
For more serious cases of poisoning, the recommended dose is 20 to 50 grams every 4 to 6 hours.
This study, in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, concluded that activated charcoal can help lower cholesterol.
Another study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology concluded it's effective for gas pains. The study found bloating and abdominal cramps were significantly reduced by activated charcoal.
Japanese patients suffering from a metabolic disorder were given activated charcoal in this study. The study concluded that daily intake of charcoal can improve the quality of life for those with metabolic disorders.
One cancer-treatment information website suggests activated charcoal is a powerful yet gentle detoxifier. It can attract up to 100 times its own body weight in toxins. Therefore, activated charcoal may help purge cancer-causing chemicals from the body. Some of the most common heavy metals that it can help remove are mercury, lead, copper and arsenic. Activated charcoal may boost anticancer agents in the lymphatic system as well. This study found activated charcoal to be an excellent carrier material for the lymphatic system.
Activated charcoal has been used for thousands of years. Evidence suggests ancient societies used it for burns, cuts, wounds, insect bites and other festering sores.
Have you taken a lots of antibiotics? Or, do you think you may have toxins in your system? If so, you may want to take activated charcoal.
If your job exposes you to lots of chemicals, activated charcoal can help purge them from your system. But, you may notice your waste is black after taking it. Don't panic! It's normal. That's a sign that the activated charcoal is working.
Don't take activated charcoal everyday like you would a multi-vitamin. Once your waste is a normal color again, put it back in your shelf. Or, keep it in your first-aid bag, as was suggested above. Keep it there in case you accidentally swallow some paint. Hopefully not!