Activated Charcoal Really Works
AC is a powerful cleanser, inside and out.
AC can be used to wash and exfoliate the skin and is used in cosmetics. When taken internally, care must be taken.
The dirt on activated charcoal:
- There have been few clinical trials with activated charcoal. The majority of published works experimented with AC as an antidote for drug overdoses and found it effective if taken within 2 hours of poison ingestion. The body of studies is inconclusive on its use as an overall detoxifier. (4, 5, 6)
- A study published in the Lancet journal found AC to significantly reduce LDL (“bad” cholesterol) while increasing HDL (“good” cholesterol). (7)
- AC has been found to reduce the incidence of diarrhea. (8)
- One study found that AC didn’t reduce the formation of gastrointestinal gas or reduce flatulence. (9, 10) Results of another found that it did. (11)
- AC is effective in blood dialysis, as it filters out uric acid and other potential toxins. (12)
- AC is effective in filtering water, removing chemicals, metals, and other impurities. (13)
- AC can support the liver and adrenal glands by helping to remove potential toxins.
- As a skin cleanser, there is a huge body of anecdotal evidence of AC’s cleansing and softening properties. The same goes for brushing with AC to whiten teeth. The theory is that pore-blocking microbes in skin and staining foods on teeth stick to the AC and are washed away with it. There are plenty of beauty and skin care sites that promote the use of AC for these purposes.
More on Charcoal
- AC is effective in significantly reducing foul bodily odors. (14)
- AC has been used in pads for topical toxic chemical testing. (15) The significance is to show how AC is used to absorb toxins from the skin.
- AC readily adsorbs peanut proteins, with implications for quick treatment for peanut (and other?) allergy. (16)
- In 1997, two professors, one from the University of Wyoming and one from Duke University, studied monkeys in Zanzibar and found them eating charcoal. This particular species of monkey in this particular area had a higher birth rate and population density than in a forest right next to it, presumably because: “the monkeys eat charcoal to reduce the harmful compounds, which have the potential to be toxic or interfere with digestion.” (17)
- AC should not be used if taking ANY medication without first consulting your healthcare practitioner. AC is unquestionably effective in adsorbing medications and can affect their potency and how they react in your body.
The bottom line is that clinical research is very limited. That doesn’t mean that AC doesn’t work as a potent detox agent.
Regular routine use of AC isn’t recommended, as it can cause constipation and too much of a good thing is sometimes not so good. As an occasional body cleanse, however, many people swear by it—including naturopathic doctors.
How to Make Charcoal Lemonade
Following is an easy-to-make nutritious drink that includes activated charcoal to detoxify your digestive system. It can be prepared in a 1-quart/liter jar so you can pour out a day’s serving and refrigerate the rest. The recipe makes 4 servings.
It’s recommended you don’t use it for more than 14 consecutive days, but you should feel better after the first day or two.
Symptoms of detoxification include flu-like symptoms, called a Herxheimer reaction. Don’t worry if you feel crummy for several days after starting the AC cleanse. The symptoms occur because your body is working to eliminate pollutants and re-adjusting.
In addition to the cleansing action of AC, a summary of what else is in this charcoal lemonade elixir:
- Lemon juice – hydrator, great source of vitamin C, alkalinizes the body, and this wouldn’t be lemonade without it
- Maple syrup – for its wealth of minerals, antibiotic properties, and flavor (a healthy sweetener)
- Pink Himalayan salt – provides sodium and other electrolytes in this mineral-rich form.