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The Benefits of Taking Activated Charcoal Supplements
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The Benefits of Taking Activated Charcoal Supplements
Activated carbon, also known as medicinal coal, is one of the oldest known medicines. Already early civilizations like the Greeks and Egyptians knew about their effect. And even today, there is medical activated carbon, whether pressed or capsules, in every well-stocked medicine chest. Activated carbon is used not only for gastrointestinal problems and detox cures but is also used in cosmetic products. Find out more about the application, effects and side effects of activated charcoal here.
Activated carbon is carbon that is highly porous. Thus it has the property of being open-pored like a sponge and of falling into the smallest parts. In this way he unfolds a large surface.
This results in the characteristic of the activated carbon characteristic for so-called adsorption. That is, the carbon particles are capable of binding other sub, stances such as toxins, chemicals, or even odor molecules on their surface.
Medicinal activated carbon is mainly obtained from plant raw materials such as peat, tree bark or nut shells.
Activated carbon for gastrointestinal complaints
Medical coal is especially known for its use in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. These include, for example, gastroenteritis (gastrointestinal flu) or food poisoning.
Activated carbon can also provide relief for more harmless ailments that occasionally occur when traveling or after heavy meals. These include:
bloating
diarrhea
Vomit
However, activated charcoal should not be taken if diarrhea with fever.
How does activated carbon affect digestive problems?
The effect of activated carbon is due to the fact that it binds the triggers of the symptoms, such as bacteria or pollutants. In this way, these are initially rendered harmless and then transported through the chair out of the body.
Help with poisoning
If chemicals or toxic (toxic) substances have been swallowed, the subsequent administration of activated carbon can help. The carbon particles are able to neutralize those components that are toxic. The adsorption capacity of the carbon thus prevents the toxins from entering the bloodstream.
It should be noted here that the coal should be taken as quickly as possible, the dosage is dependent on body weight. Activated carbon is effective against many but not against all poisons. For example, it does not affect poisoning with pesticides or ethanol.
Side effects when taking activated carbon
The medical activated carbon acts in a purely physical way in the body. That is, it is excreted unchanged. Therefore, there are only a few side effects or side effects. Excessive intake may cause constipation or vomiting.
Inevitably, however, is a black color of the stool, caused by the carbon particles. This is harmless.
Activated carbon not only binds harmful substances
It should be noted, however, that activated carbon does not differentiate in its effect. It binds pollutants and toxins as well as vitamins or other nutrients.
The neutralization of drugs or oral contraceptives (pill) by activated carbon is not excluded. The intake of activated carbon should, therefore, take place in such cases with a time interval to the drugs and only after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist.
How to take activated carbon?
Extensive drinking is the top priority when activated carbon is taken. Because only insufficiently liquid can the carbon decompose optimally and unfold their effect.
Medical coal is available in the form of tablets, capsules or powder. Activated carbon tablets or capsules can be swallowed as well as previously dissolved in a glass of water. The powder can also be easily stirred in water.
How healthy is activated carbon?
Especially in connection with detoxification treatments, also called detox, activated carbon is used more and more frequently. When added to a smoothie or other drink, it is designed to aid detoxification and slimming.
This type of use is based on the assumption that activated carbon would also have a positive effect on a healthy organism. Pollutants that have accumulated in the digestive tract should be transported faster from the body thanks to the carbon.
However, this effect is not scientifically proven. In addition, the activated carbon added to the juices and smoothies binds to part of the vitamins and minerals contained in them. This prevents these actually healthy ingredients from being absorbed and processed by the body.
