Activated charcoal, improves kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), an emergency poison treatment remedy (II)

Anti-aging

ONE study (Va­ziri et al. 2013) suggests that activated charcoal helps to prevent cellular damage to the kidneys and liver and supports healthy adrenal glands. This is done by removing toxins and chemicals routinely from the body.

It supports major organs by helping the body flush out the toxins and chemicals that cause internal damage. For instance, one study by (Rafati-Rahimzadeh et al. 2014) found that it removes organic and inorganic compounds from the body, and tightly binds with metallic compounds.

Aging is a natural part of life, but due to the toxic load we are exposed to through food, our homes and workplaces, and our environment, to prevent premature aging we must get rid of them, and activated charcoal does it so well.

Mold Cleansing

Toxic mold can cause depression, kidney and liver failure, decreased brain function, heart disease, eye irritation, headaches, vomiting, im­paired immune system function, and severe respiratory distress.

Homes that have flooded, or even those with small leaks under a sub-floor or in the walls, can create an environment where mold can thrive. Poor ventilation contributes to the problem, and bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms are particularly prone to mold growth.

Using activated charcoal can help mitigate areas of mold overgrowth in your home. For instance (Hope J. 2013) review found that activated carbons, or charcoals, have effective binding capacity and can produce a significant reduction in mold ab­sorption. Charcoal has also proved to be an effective agent for remov­ing 90 percent of mold in a tested solution.

Be sure to keep a lookout for symptoms of mold exposure, like wheezing, rashes, watery eyes, coughing, or headaches, especially when they can’t be linked to other health issues. If you notice these signs, your home should be evaluat­ed for mold spore levels, even if no visible mold is detected. It can thrive behind drywall, under floors, and in ventilation ducts, and you may not even realize the levels are high until you have testing done.

Other studies, limited science

• Digestive Health- An old study (Naka et al. 2001) found that activated charcoal had lower binding capacity to the normal bacterial flora tested than that to E. coli O157:H7 strains.” It appears as though tox­in-producing strains of E. coli were more likely to be adsorbed by the activated charcoal while normal bac­terial flora in the intestine, including Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacte­rium thermophilum, and Lactobacil­lus acidophilus, were more likely to be left alone.

One recent study (Jabar et al. 2020) found that taking activated charcoal 8 hours before an abdom­inal ultrasound significantly reduces the amount of gas in the gut, mak­ing it easier to get a clear ultrasound image.

A more recent study (Silberman et al. 2023) found that activated charcoal helps promote a healthy di­gestive tract by removing toxins that cause allergic reactions, oxidative damage, and poor immune system function. By removing the toxins from your system, you can reduce joint pain, increase energy, and increase mental function.

A previous case study (Sen­derovich and Vierhout, 2018) found that activated charcoal could treat diarrhea, but higher-quality studies are necessary.

• Water filtration- Jaspal and Malviya(2020) study found that activated charcoal could filter water by removing contaminants, suspend­ed solids, and microorganisms like bacteria — and not destroying the water’s pH or taste.

A previous study (Konno et al. 2008) found that activated carbon filters (activated charcoal), remove some fluoride. Avoiding fluoride and detoxing from it is important for oral health, proper immune system functioning, and healthy kidneys and liver. Though, drinking water is essential to good health — however, typical tap water is toxic and laden with chemicals, toxins, and fluoride. It’s a good idea to limit ingestion whenever possible and use an acti­vated charcoal water filter.

• Tooth whitening- One review (Brooks et al. 2020) found that there is science to support that activated charcoal whitened teeth. A recent study (Alofi et al. 2021) found that it works to whiten your teeth by absorbing plaque and microscopic tidbits that stain teeth.

According to research done by a professor of dentistry at King’s College London, “charcoal tooth­paste may be found to help remove external (extrinsic) staining on teeth without negative abrasive effects.” She adds that toothpaste containing charcoal may be most effective when used to delay the recurrence of surface staining on intact teeth after professional cleaning and polishing.

• Hangover prevention- Another study by (Silberman et al. 2023) found no science that activat­ed charcoal supports hangover cure. Though activated charcoal does not adsorb alcohol, it does help quickly remove other toxins from the body that contribute to poisoning. When activated charcoal is taken at the same time as alcohol, some studies (Hultén et al. 1986) show it can significantly reduce blood alcohol concentrations.

• Skin treatment. Though hearsay evidence says activated char­coal treats acne, dandruff, and insect or snake bites, no evidence supports these claims (Sanchez et al. 2020).

This notwithstanding, another study(Hara et al. 2020) found that it is good for external treatments, it’s effective at treating body odor and acne, along with relieving discom­fort from insect bites, rashes from poison ivy or poison oak, and snake bites.

An old study (Chakravarth et al. 2008) also found that when applied topically as an activated charcoal mask or mixed with other ingredi­ents like aloe vera, it’s able to bind to poison, toxins, or dirt that contrib­ute to skin issues or bite reactions.

It can also help reduce foul odors that are associated with blistering disorders and extensive skin loss. It can be used to reduce odor when combined with baking soda.

Safety

Activated charcoal is considered safe in most cases, and adverse reactions are infrequent. However, Silberman et al. (2023) study reports unpleasant side effects such as vomiting, especially if sorbitol is also used as an ingredient.

It has been linked to bowel block­ages in some cases. Those with gut motility disorders, taking opioid or antimuscarinic medications, or tak­ing MDAC- multiple-dose activated charcoal are at higher risk.

The American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT) further warns against activated charcoal in cases of bleeding, blockage, or holes in your gut (Silberman et al. 2023).

Moreover, when activated char­coal is used as an emergency poison antidote, there’s a risk that it can enter your lungs rather than your stomach. This is especially true if you vomit or are drowsy or semicon­scious (Juurlink DN, 2016; Silber­man et al. 2023; Zellner et al. 2019).

Hence, this substance should only be given to those who are fully con­scious (Juurlink DN, 2016; Silber­man et al. 2023; Zellner et al. 2019).

Keep in mind that activated char­coal may also reduce the absorption of certain medications.

Dosage

Activated charcoal is available in a pill or powder form. If you opt for a powder supplement, mix it with water or juice to make it easier to swallow.

Make sure to follow the dosage in­structions on the label, or use those in the studies mentioned above.

In the case of drug poisoning, seek medical help immediately. A medical professional may administer a dose of 50–100 grams of activated charcoal as soon as possible. Chil­dren are normally given a lower dose of 10–50 grams, depending on their age (Silberman et al. 2023).

Take notice that I used dosages for other conditions based on older studies; starting from 1.5 grams to treat fishy odor disease to 4–32 grams per day to lower cholesterol and promote kidney function in those with end-stage kidney disease (Musso et al. 2010; Schulman G. 2006; Kuusisto et al. 1986; Neu­vonen et al. 1989).

I will update these recommenda­tions as newer studies emerge.

Take Home

It’s most commonly used as an emergency overdose or anti-poison treatment. Significant amounts of research back this application.

It may also help lower cholesterol levels, fight symptoms of fishy odor syndrome, improve kidney function, and reduce gas and diarrhea.

Activated charcoal can interact with other medications, so check with your doctor before trying it if you’re currently taking medications. You may also want to start with the lower end of the recommend­ed dose to see how you react to it before increasing the amount.

Activated charcoal is available in many forms, including pills, tablets, capsules, powder, toothpaste, and face masks.

It is safe to eat activated charcoal and to apply it topically, but make sure you are using a high-quality product that doesn’t contain any fillers or additives. Stick to short-term use, and consult your health care professional if you are taking medications that may interact with activated charcoal.

NB:

Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups. My articles are for educa­tional purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturo­pathic Therapies.

The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, a Medical Journalist, and a science writer. President, Nyarkotey Uni­versity College of Holistic Medi­cine & Technology (NUCHMT)/African Naturopathic Founda­tion, Ashaiman, Ghana. E. mail: professor40naturopathy@gmail.com. Visit-profnyarkotey.com for more.

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