benefits of activated charcoal..
Charcoal
is an amazing substance. It adsorbs more poisons than any other substance known
to mankind. It is the highly absorbent gritty black material commonly found in
air and water filters and has the well-earned reputation of being a universal
antidote.
It
can adsorb most organic chemicals, many inorganic chemicals and countless
poisonous substances before they can cause harm.
Although
activated charcoal can be used as an antidote in poisoning from most drugs and
chemicals, it will not be effective against the following: cyanide, alcohol,
caustic alkalies (such as lye), mineral acids, or boric acids.
Strong
alkaline and acid poisons need to be treated with solutions with the opposite
pH. For example, until the ambulance arrives, calcium powder in water will help
offset acids and vinegar will help offset alkalies.
Consult
a Poison Control Center (phone numbers are in the front of your phone book) or
a doctor immediately, for instructions and information in any poisoning
emergency.
When
mixed with water and swallowed to counteract poisoning, charcoal adsorbs the
poison or drug, inactivating it. It then carries it inert through the entire
length of the digestive tract and out of the body. Charcoal is not absorbed,
neutralized, nor metabolized by the body.
In
a poisoning emergency, if the victim is conscious, first induce vomiting
(unless he has swallowed an acid) if it can be done quickly. Induced vomiting
will bring up about 30% of the poison from the stomach.
Do
not give charcoal before giving an emetic (to get him to vomit), because the
charcoal will neutralize the emetic. Remember that charcoal will not work in
cases of poisoning by strong acids or alkalies.
Then
give the charcoal to help inactivate the remaining 70%. Larger doses will be
needed if the person has eaten a meal recently.
Never
give charcoal, or anything else, to an unconscious person to swallow. Contact a
physician or ambulance immediately.
How
well activated charcoal really works in practical situations depends on several
different factors:
1. The type of
toxicant (its chemical structure and physical properties)
2. The amount and type of charcoal ingested.
3. The length of time
from toxin ingestion to activated charcoal ingestion.
4. The contents of
your intestinal fluids and intestinal transport efficiency.
As
a general rule, a single large dose of activated charcoal should be taken as
soon as possible after ingesting a poison. The amount of activated charcoal
should exceed the toxic substance by a factor of eight (a ratio of 8:1). In other
words, if you're poisoned with 5 grams of a chemical, you need to take at least
40 grams of activated charcoal.
Some
recommend ingesting a minimum of 50 grams of activated charcoal as a
counterpoison, because ingesting large amounts of activated charcoal is
harmless, and taking too little is ineffective. The actual effectiveness of the
activated charcoal will vary, so take more than you think you require.
Activated
charcoal should be taken within 30 minutes of ingesting the poison. The longer
the delay, the less effective activated charcoal will be.
On
some poisons delaying more than 30 minutes decreases the effectiveness of the
activated charcoal as an antidote by up to 60%. The bottom line is plain and
simple. Keeping activated charcoal in your medicine cabinet and taking it if
you are poisoned could save your life and your money too.
Charcoal
can do these various things because of its ability to attract other substances
to its surface and hold them there. This is called 'adsorption' (not
absorption). Charcoal can adsorb thousands of times its own weight in harmful
substances.
Nowadays,
activated charcoal is often used to clear drugs and intoxicants that can enter
the body through the intestinal tract, and even by injection and other routes.
The systemic clearance of toxic substances or detoxification by activated
charcoal is accomplished by taking multiple daily doses.
Activated
charcoal detoxifies the body in several manners:
1. Purifies the 6-8
liters of digestive fluids that are secreted daily which in turn helps remove
foreign substances from the blood.
2. Absorbs the
intoxicant substance and its metabolites that are excreted into the small
intestine from the biliary (bile) tract, preventing their reabsorption.
3. Absorbs drugs that
diffuse back into the stomach and intestines.
4. Decreases the
detoxification work load of the liver.
Activated
charcoal shortens the time it takes an intoxicant to leave the system and
decreases the duration and intensity of symptoms.
People
who take activated charcoal after drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs
such as cocaine or amphetamines recover quicker. For that reason, some
recommend taking activated charcoal as part of a drug recovery program to ease
withdrawal symptoms and reduce drug craving.
Very
few health practitioners realize that activated charcoal is the
Chronic
exposure to toxins produces cellular damage, diverse diseases, allergic like
reactions, compromised immunity and premature aging.
Studies
have also discovered that activated charcoal is a potent life-extending agent.
It normalizes cholesterol and lipid metabolism. The regular use of activated
charcoal improves the adaptive functioning of essential organs (the liver,
kidneys, and adrenals). That translates into better defense mechanisms. So the
cumulative effects from activated charcoal are longer life and improved overall
health.
You
can help your heart and circulatory system by taking activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal lowers the concentration of total lipids, cholesterol, and
triglycerides in the blood serum, liver, heart and brain.
In
one study that was reported in the British journal, Lancet, on patients with
high cholesterol, 8 gm of activated charcoal taken three times a day lowered
total cholesterol 25%, lowered LDL cholesterol 41% and doubled their HDL/LDL
(high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol ratio.
Microscopic
tissue examination studies have shown that a daily dose of activated charcoal
may prevent sclerotic changes in the heart and coronary blood vessels.
Activated
charcoal reduces the activity of some viruses. So if you catch a cold or the
flu, try activated charcoal. You may suffer less and heal faster.
Activated
charcoal also prevents the poisonous activity of many harmful bacteria in the
human body by adsorbing the toxins and enzymes that they generate. Studies have
shown that activated charcoal is an effective treatment for dysentery, cholera,
and many infectious conditions of the digestive tract.
Activated
charcoal can be an effective companion to any regimen for the treatment of
systemic Candida albicans infections. Activated charcoal adsorbs much of the
toxins that Candida produces that otherwise would be absorbed by the blood and
carried throughout the body. These toxins produce pathological changes in
tissues and organs and interfere with proper immune function.
Candida
toxins cause allergic reactions and are responsible for the debilitating
symptoms of Candidiasis. It can also suppress the growth of intestinal-based
yeasts and can alleviate the symptoms of yeast die-off so people can continue
treatment and not suffer. Do not take required medications within 2 hours of
taking activated charcoal.
Activated
charcoal has been used by physicians since the last century to treat various
intestinal complaints. Abdominal distension (bloating) and flatulence respond
favorably to treatment with activated charcoal.
Diarrhea
caused by food poisoning, bacteria, nervousness and other factors is usually
alleviated by taking activated charcoal. Some physicians have used activated
charcoal to stop bleeding from ulcerative colitis and calm spastic colons.
Activated
charcoal is the best intestinal deodorant available. Taking activated charcoal
counteracts decomposition products from food (such as beans) that cause
flatulence and diarrhea. Travelers to foreign countries would be wise to pack
activated charcoal. In my opinion, activated charcoal is the most practical way
to effectively counteract food poisoning.
Studies
have proven that activated charcoal is basically harmless. Ingesting high
dosages does not interfere with sleep, appetite or well being--or cause major
problems.
There
are several undesirable effects of using activated charcoal that can be avoided
by complying with the following directions. Activated charcoal is highly adsorbent;
when it is ingested at the same time as medication, supplements and foods it
may decrease their absorption and utilization. Therefore, always allow 2 hours
before and wait 2 hours after using activated charcoal to eat, take supplements
or swallow medication.
Activated
charcoal has a natural tendency to cause constipation. That can be counteracted
by taking a mild herbal laxative with the activated charcoal.
Finally
activated charcoal harmlessly blackens your stools.
Because
of the large volume of charcoal that is needed, it is easiest to take liquid
preparation of charcoal powder. For example, to take 30 grams of charcoal a day
in capsules would require that you swallow about 60 capsules. Furthermore,
activated charcoal tablets are not effective. They take too long to
disintegrate and release the activated charcoal.
Unfortunately,
a simple water and charcoal mixture is unpalatable and messy. It tastes like a
charcoal briquette, and blackens your teeth, gums and tongue. These problems
can be avoided by ingesting a powdered activated charcoal complex that contains
a thickening agent like bentonite, with added flavors and mild sweeteners.
Studies
have shown that the addition of Bentonite significantly
improved the palatability of an activated charcoal and water slurry. Bentonite acts
as thickening agent that reduces powdery mouth-feel and improves the taste
without reducing the efficacy of activated charcoal.
In
fact, Bentonite is an enterosorption agent and a poison antidote in its own
right. For example, bentonite has been shown to bind and reduce the poison
paraquat.
Experts
advise that if you are using powdered charcoal then mix it with a tall glass of
water and drink it with a straw. This will prevent your teeth from getting
stained. If your teeth do get stained, there have been some instances, then
brush your teeth and rinse with water. The stains will wear off.
Do
not consume activated charcoal with milk as dairy products lessen the
effectiveness of charcoal.
Bad
odors, caused by skin ulcers, have been eliminated by placing charcoal-filled
cloth over plastic casts. It has been used externally to effectively adsorb
wound secretions, bacteria, and toxins. And, in poultices and packs, it treats
infections of the face, eyelids, skin, or extremities.
It
must be stored in a tightly sealed container, because it readily adsorbs
impurities from the atmosphere. (Leaving the top off a container of charcoal
will partially purify the room it is in, to the degree that the air in the room
comes in contact with the charcoal.)
Charcoal
poultices that are kept moist and warm actually draw toxins and poisons out
through the skin tissue. This is because skin is a permeable membrane, which
permits a variety of liquids and gases to enter and exit the body.
Make
the poultice just large enough to cover the injured part. The paste may be made
by mixing equal parts of flaxseed meal or corn starch with the activated
charcoal, in a bowl, and then adding just enough hot water to make a moderately
thick paste. Then spread the paste over a porous cloth, covering over the top
with another layer of that same cloth.
Place
the poultice over the area to be treated and cover it with a piece of plastic.
Cover or wrap with a cloth, to hold it all in place. Secure by a tie, stretch
bandage, or pin. Apply the poultice for 1 or 2 hours. If applied at bedtime,
leave it on overnight. Adsorption takes place almost immediately.
When
it is removed, wash or gently cleanse the area with cool water. Repeat when
needed. Poultices should, at the most, be changed every 6-10 hours.
Do
not put charcoal directly on the broken skin; because it may cause a tatooing
effect, blackening the skin for a period of time.
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