Activated carbon is also known as activated charcoal. For the average person, “charcoal” is something that is used to light the grill and have a barbeque. Unbeknownst to many, there is another type of charcoal that has many surprising health benefits.

What is Activated Carbon?

Activated carbon is an odorless black powder that can adsorb (bind to) toxins, thus effectively removing them from the body when going to the bathroom. It is formed by burning wood, sawdust, coconut shells, and other carbon sources at extremely high temperatures. 

Detox With Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is an excellent detox product. Here are a few ways it has been used as a natural detoxifier:

Decrease gastrointestinal adsorption of toxins. Studies indicate activated charcoal can be used to prevent the absorption of toxins in the stomach within 60 minutes of consumption. Researchers note it speeds up the removal of various environmental and industrial toxins, and “should be a part of first-aid kits both at home and at work.” ¹

Use in hospitals. One of the most popular ways activated charcoal has been used is in hospital emergency rooms, treating drug overdoses, and various types of poisonings. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, multiple chemicals, pesticides, mercury, and lead can all be removed from the body before they can cause harm with activated charcoal.

The American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, European Association of Poisons Centres, and Clinical Toxicologists all suggest using activated charcoal within 60 minutes of ingesting toxins.² Taking it within 60 minutes of ingestion allows the charcoal to bind to the toxin and remove from the body before it is digested.

Note: While activated charcoal can remove many toxins and heavy metals, it cannotremove alcohol, iron, lithium, some acids, and cyanide. Immediate medical attention is strongly advised when coming into contact or overdosing on any of the above substances. 

Kidneys and activated charcoal. The kidneys play a vital role in detoxifying the body. For example, they act as a filter, effectively removing waste products from food and medications. The kidneys are one of the organs toxins may pass through as they are removed from the body. Studies indicate that activated charcoal could be a treatment for chronic kidney disease:

• A recent survey of renal-disease patients 80 and over found that activated charcoal helped control uremic symptoms. ³
• Uremia is a condition where raised levels of waste compounds and toxins are present in the blood that is usually filtered out by the kidneys and removed in the urine.
• In addition to removing uremic toxins, preliminary studies found that activated charcoal may be beneficial for severe refractory pruritus, a symptom seen in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease or on dialysis.⁴

Clearing Detox Pathways

While locating and eliminating toxins is essential to good health, it’s equally important to ensure the detox pathways themselves are healthy enough to remove them from the body. Remember: the human body is in a constant state of detox. It is bombarded with a wide variety of toxins daily, both in the home and outdoors. As a result, the digestive system, kidneys, liver, lymphatic system, skin, and other organs are all working to remove them. Some detox products can be harsh on the body. Still, activated carbon does not harm the delicate systems of the body (mucous membrane, G.I. tract, etc.) during this natural detoxification process.

Consuming Activated Carbon

Activated carbon can be taken orally with water. (Sufficient quantities of water should be consumed to decrease potential side effects such as constipation.) As it travels through the digestive tract, harmful toxins and other poisons are drawn to it like a magnet and become attached.

Here are two excellent activated carbon products:

The G.I. Pathogen Purge Pack is designed to clean, strengthen, and detoxify the body’s gastrointestinal tract. In addition to removing pathogens and other harmful products from the GI tract, it drastically decreases Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

This comprehensive package contains the following products: 

#3(Bactrex): Strengthens the immune system, which makes it more effective at removing bacterial pathogens naturally.

#4 (FungDX): Contains herbal and anti-fungal combinations that help the body remove fungal metabolites and fungus.

BIND (Toxin Eliminator): Removes toxins, bio-toxins, chemicals, heavy metals, and other harmful substances from the GI tract.

#404 - BIND - TOXIN ELIMINATION is a great stand-alone product that is designed to provide the best possible detox results. In addition to the activated charcoal that binds to toxins, Bind offers the following benefits:

• Absorbs more than 300 times its weight in toxins
• Contains 70 plant-based minerals
• Doesn’t interfere with nutrient absorption or functions in the intestine
• Binds with candida, mold, and other bio-toxins in the intestines
• Fortified with probiotics to fight leaky gut
• Can reduce toxic exposure by 60%
• Stimulates healthy enzyme reactions
• Absorbs bacteria, parasites, mycoplasma, viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens

Summary

While it’s essential to eat healthily and get adequate exercise, that may not be enough to maintain good health. Unfortunately, there are many toxins in the environment a person may unknowingly come in contact with that are hazardous to their health. The key to good health is to be proactive, taking the necessary precautions to keep the immune system strong and healthy enough to ward off disease. Products such as activated carbon are excellent ways to keep the body protected from a variety of toxins. Try activated charcoal today. Your body will thank you.

References:

1. Neuvonen PJ1, Olkkola KT. Oral Activated Charcoal In The Treatment Of Intoxications. Role Of Single And Repeated Doses. Med Toxicol Adverse Drug Exp. 1988 Jan-Dec;3(1):33-58. [PMID: 3285126] DOI: 10.1007/bf03259930 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/3285126/#

2. Frank LoVecchio, J. Shriki, K. Innes, (et al.) The Feasibility Of Administration Of Activated Charcoal With Respect To Current Practice Guidelines In Emergency Department Patients. J Med Toxicol. Published. 2007 Sep; 3(3): 100–102. doi: 10.1007/BF03160918 [PMCID: PMC3550070] PMID: 18072144 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/18072144/

3. CG Musso, H Michelangelo, J Reynaldi, (et al.) Combination of Oral Activated Charcoal Plus Low Protein Diet As A New Alternative For Handling In The Old End-Stage Renal Disease Patients. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl Published. 2010 21:102-4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/20061701/

4. Adamasco Cupisti; Giorgina Piccoli; Maurizio Gallieni. Charcoal for The Management Of Pruritus And Uremic Toxins In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease. Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension. Published. 2019. [PMID 31725009] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/31725009/?i=1&from=activated%20charcoal%20and%20kidneys