8 Advantages Of Activated Charcoal: Applications And What To Know
This article discusses:
- Benefits
- How to Take
- Risks
- Side Effects
Activated charcoal, or activated carbon, is a fine black powder used to treat life-threatening poisoning or overdose. Proponents claim it offers further benefits for digestive, renal, and skin health. There is insufficient evidence to support these claims.
Activated charcoal is available as a supplement or applied to foods, cosmetics, and toothpaste. It is manufactured by heating wood, coconut shell, peat, or petroleum at high temperatures without oxygen. This process causes charcoal to grow microscopic holes and a larger surface area, allowing it to absorb chemicals.
1. Can Help Reduce Gas and Bloating
Activated charcoal may absorb gas, reducing bloating and flatulence. One research of 52 individuals discovered that it reduced gas that obstructs ultrasound images, but the limited sample size restricts the conclusions.
In another small trial, patients with small intestinal intestine overgrowth (SIBO) received simethicone and activated charcoal for ten days. They reported less flatulence and gastrointestinal pain, however simethicone alone can relieve bloating. The antibiotic metronidazole was also found to have a stronger effect on flatulence.
2. May alleviate diarrhea
Activated charcoal is widely used to treat travelers' diarrhea, which develops when they consume contaminated food or liquids. 7 According to one review, activated charcoal can help avoid diarrhea. It has been demonstrated to eliminate medications and germs that commonly cause stomach issues, but more research is needed.
Experts warn against administering activated charcoal to anyone who are dehydrated and have diarrhea, particularly children. Activated charcoal can increase fluid loss and absorb minerals, enzymes, and antibiotics.
3. May Promote Skin Health
For ages, people have treated wounds using activated charcoal. It has been demonstrated to absorb microorganisms, so providing a sanitary environment for the lesion to recover. Some study is promising, but additional investigation is required.
Activated charcoal cloths were found to be more effective than antibacterial dressings in treating leg ulcers after four weeks of use. Another study found that charcoal pads decreased wound size faster than silver foam dressings. These experiments employed medical-grade dressings rather than charcoal powder.
4. May Whiten Teeth
Activated charcoal is a common ingredient in teeth whitening solutions. A evaluation of 11 studies revealed that the evidence is mixed. Some studies suggests that activated charcoal eliminates stains from teeth more effectively than other substances. Others believed it to be ineffective. Activated charcoal is also abrasive and, if used for an extended length of time, can erode tooth enamel.
5. Might lower cholesterol levels
Some people use activated charcoal to treat their high cholesterol. One animal study investigated the effects of activated charcoal on obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Some liver enzymes (proteins) were found to be more active at breaking down cholesterol. The researchers discovered that the mice's excrement included increased levels of cholesterol.
Keep in mind that there are insufficient studies to support the use of activated charcoal. More human trials are required to determine whether it can help manage cholesterol.
6. May Treat Body Odor
Activated charcoal is a frequent element in many deodorants, just as it is in teeth-whitening solutions. The premise is that activated charcoal helps absorb bacteria and poisons that cause body odor. There have been no research on the effectiveness of activated charcoal as a deodorant component.
7. Promotes kidney health
Some data suggests that activated charcoal can help with kidney health. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) reduces kidney function and raises the risk of waste accumulation in the blood, which promotes inflammation.
One study of 82 dialysis patients discovered that activated charcoal helped lower blood levels of waste products like phosphorus and urea. More research is needed to determine whether activated charcoal is a useful treatment for CKD.
8. Treats poisoning and overdose
Activated charcoal can be used by healthcare providers to decontaminate the gastrointestinal tract. Activated charcoal can eliminate medications and substances such as carbamazepine, dapsone, theophylline, phenobarbital, and quinine. Its porous nature helps to absorb hazardous toxins in your stomach and prevent them from entering your bloodstream.
Activated charcoal is inefficient against some poisons, including alcohols, metals like lithium, electrolytes like magnesium, and caustic chemicals. Over-the-counter (OTC) charcoal is not accessible in sufficient quantities for healthcare usage. Poisoning or overdosing should always be treated as an emergency.
How to Take Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal supplements can be taken orally as capsules or powder put into a beverage. Because activated charcoal can absorb nutrients and interact with certain medications, it should be taken on an empty stomach and one hour after any medication. Take activated charcoal three to twelve hours before taking birth control pills.
Activated charcoal is most effective in treating overdoses and poisonings if administered during the first hour. In an emergency, a healthcare worker may administer large amounts via tubes if the patient is unable to drink. They may add sorbitol to mixes for sweetness and laxative action.
Dosage
There is no ideal dose for activated charcoal. Supplement doses range from 250 to 950 milligrams. In an emergency, the dosage of activated charcoal is much higher and is determined by the amount of material consumed as well as your weight.
If the amount of poison taken is known, a healthcare provider will provide activated charcoal in a 10-to-1 ratio. If they do not know how much poison was swallowed, they will administer a dose of 1 gram per kilogram of body weight or age-based doses.
Age-appropriate amounts for treating poisoning or overdose include:
- Adults and children over 12 years: 50-100 grams (g).
- Children aged 2 to 12 years: 25-50 g.
- Infants under one year old: 10-25 g.
Risks
Most people should be able to safely use activated charcoal. It can increase the risk of intestinal blockage and is not recommended for patients who have blockages or gut motility issues. Intestinal blockage is a severe disorder in which something prevents food and stool from passing through the intestine.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a doctor before using activated charcoal. It may be safe in the short term, but its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is unknown.
Potential Drug Interactions: Activated charcoal can absorb several drugs, reducing their effectiveness. It can also absorb micronutrients, making it difficult for the body to absorb vitamins and minerals.
Activated charcoal should not be taken with the following drugs, supplements, or medications:
- Asthma and lung condition medications, like Elixophylline (theophylline).
- Barbiturates, like Amytal (amobarbital).
- Birth control pills.
- Dietary supplements.
- Epilepsy and seizure medications, like Phenytek (phenytoin).
- Medications that induce vomiting, such as Ipecac (syrup of ipecac).
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) or aspirin.
- Pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen).
- Tricyclic antidepressants like Elavil (amitriptyline).
Avoid combining alcohol with activated charcoal. Alcohol can reduce activated charcoal's ability to absorb toxins and other chemicals. It may even inhibit activated charcoal's capacity to absorb pollutants.
Side Effects
Taking activated charcoal pills can produce the following gastrointestinal adverse effects:
In emergency situations, activated charcoal can have serious adverse effects, such as aspiration if a person is semiconscious or vomiting. It may also induce intestinal obstruction, which prevents food and stool from passing through the intestines.
Using activated charcoal in toothpaste on a daily basis can wear down tooth enamel. It may also cause skin peeling in those with sensitive skin.
A Quick Review
Activated charcoal is a thin, porous black powder that absorbs poisons such as chemicals and medicines, making it an excellent treatment for potentially fatal poisonings and overdoses. It may also aid with gas and bloating, as well as wound healing, though data on this is limited.
Activated charcoal is typically safe for most individuals, but it can absorb certain medications and minerals. Avoid combining it with other drugs or supplements.
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