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What are the Health Benefits and uses of Activated Charcoal?

Writer's picture: Jonathan ValenciaJonathan Valencia

Updated: Oct 30, 2019


Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is known for its ability to bind to certain toxins, heavy metals, and other poisonous substances and flush them from your body, making it a wonder substance for acute and general detoxification. It also carries a host of anti-aging and wellness attributes..

WHAT IS ACTIVATED CHARCOAL?


Activated charcoal is a fine black powder made from bone char, coconut shells, peat, petroleum coke, coal, olive pits or sawdust.


The charcoal is "activated" by processing it at very high temperatures. The high temperatures change its internal structure, reducing the size of its pores and increasing its surface area


This results in a charcoal that is more porous than regular charcoal.



WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ACTIVATED CHARCOAL?


Activated charcoal works by trapping toxins and chemicals in the gut, preventing their absorption. The charcoal's porous texture has a negative electrical charge, which causes it to attract positively charged molecules, such as toxins and gases. This helps it trap toxins and chemicals in the gut. Because activated charcoal is not absorbed by your body, it can carry the toxins bound to its surface out of your body in feces.


Believe it or not, activated charcoal can be used for a wide range of health benefits. It is actually one of the more popular sources of natural health remedies, with charcoal that comes from sources like coconut shells. Here are some different ways you can use activated charcoal for health.


Benefits of Activated Charcoal

You Can Get Whiter Teeth

One of the more popular uses for activated charcoal is to help whiten your teeth. It can take some getting used to, since you are using the charcoal powder to brush your teeth, though it has shown to be very effective.


With activated charcoal, it helps to change the pH balance in your mouth, so this not only helps you to lighten your coffee and tea stains on your teeth, but it can also help to fight bad breath and even prevent cavities. Keep in mind this does not replace the use of toothpaste and dental floss.



Benefits of Activated Charcoal

It Helps With Digestion

If you have digestive problems, then it might be due to all those toxins in your digestive track.


Activated charcoal can help to remove many of these toxins and help improve your digestion and overall immune health. When you clean out your digestive tract, you are doing more than helping with tummy troubles, but also improve your energy and can get a boost in mental function.


Benefits of Activated Charcoal

Charcoal Helps With Anti-Aging

Everyone wants to fight the signs of aging, trying hard to minimize fine lines and wrinkles on the face.


Before you turn to medical procedures, try a natural remedy like using activated charcoal.


Charcoal can help improve your appearance and reduce the signs of aging by preventing damage to your kidney, liver, and adrenal glands. When this happens, you are getting rid of toxins in your body that often convert to looking older than you are.



Benefits of Activated Charcoal

It is Great For Your Skin

Activated charcoal can also work wonders for your skin, not just with reducing the signs of aging.


Any time you have a skin irritation, you can combine the activated charcoal with a little bit of oil like coconut oil, then it will start to reduce the redness and puffiness, and help to ease the itching and pain.


For example, if you get a bug bite from being outside, you can apply this mixture to the bite and will find it very soothing. Just be careful not to replace first aid treatments for various skin conditions.



Benefits of Activated Charcoal

Emergency Toxin Removal

Most organic compounds, pesticides, mercury, fertilizers and bleach bind to activated charcoal’s surface, allowing for quicker elimination, while preventing the absorption in the body.


Activated charcoal is also used in the event of an accidental, or purposeful, overdose of many pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter medications. It’s effective for aspirin, opium, cocaine, morphine and acetaminophen. In the event of poisoning, call 911 immediately.


Proper dosing is imperative.

In addition, activated charcoal can be used in cases of food poisoning when nausea and diarrhea are present. Adults take 25 grams at onset of symptoms or when food poisoning is suspected, and children should be given 10 grams. Remember, it’s essential that adequate water is consumed when activated charcoal is taken.


WHEN TO USE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL?

It doesn’t matter how clean we eat — our environment is saturated with high levels of toxicity. This is even more of a problem when you have to eat out or are traveling. A commercial flight exposes you to high levels of toxic jet fuel and other airborne contaminants. And that’s not even counting the additives from the crappy airplane food.


Take activated charcoal when:

  • You eat out at fast food restaurants or eat processed foods

  • You drink poor quality coffee

  • You drink alcoholic beverages

  • You feel moody, stressed or tired

  • You travel (activated charcoal can be a part of your no-jetlag, no motion sickness protocol)

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