Activated Charcoal

Numerous studies have noted that activated charcoal is carbon. It is a charcoal that has been treated with oxygen. The purpose is to open up millions of tiny pores in the middle of the carbon atoms.

Beneficial Supplement

The poison control centers always suggest activated charcoal in treating accidental poisonings. It is a beneficial supplement that must be kept in the home. In particular, it is formed from organic materials. Like wood pulp and then it is treated to further elevate its absorptive strengths.

It is believed that if activated charcoal is ingested, it largely binds with specific chemicals in the digestive tract which turns to prevent them from being absorbed into our system and causing harm. Aside from that, this supplement is also applied in far lesser doses for poisoning, specifically as a remedy for digestive complaints like the intestinal gas (flatulence), diarrhea, and stomach ulcer pain.

There are also some benefits from taking activated charcoal. Like the fact that its absorption abilities is able to prevent fats from entering the bloodstream. Therefore lowering the cholesterol levels and lessening the danger of heart disease. In addition, there are also some claims which hold that it can rid the body of environmental toxins. However, there is still little evidence to support such claims or for those functions.

Activated Charcoal Forms

In terms of its form, activated charcoal usually comes in the form of pill and powder. Many experts suggest that if you fit for the powder, just mix it with a tall glass of water and then drink it through a straw. This will keep away from staining your teeth. Since there are instances in which the teeth and tongue are blackened, it is best recommended if such case happens to quickly brush the teeth and rinse it. It should then come right off. In taking activated charcoal, it is as well important to note that you should avoid taking it with milk or other dairy products. These products may lessen the effectiveness of the activated charcoal.

In the case of flatulence, it is right to blend two tablespoons activated charcoal powder into a large glass of water. And then drink through a straw thirty minutes before the meal. Taking it by a 500 mg capsule after meals and every two hours as needed is also applicable. It is just necessary to take extra care in ingesting more than 4,000 mg in any 24-hour period.

Consumption

For further interest, one should note that since activated charcoal can hamper with the absorption or metabolism of various nutrients and medication, just take it for at least two hours after or before the other products. And if a suspected poisoning happens, it is important to consult a poison control center expert. And not just somebody else, before taking the activated charcoal. Don’t apply activated charcoal at the same time as syrup of ipecac. Ipecac is another form of home remedy for poisoning. When this supplement is taken in large doses, it can cause black stools, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.