Activated Charcoal Benefits

Activated charcoal’s ability to sequester a wide range of molecules makes it an essential tool for treating poisoning through ingestion.  If you’ve accidentally swallowed something poisonous, or your child has gotten into the cleaning supplies or medicine cabinet, call the poison control center and get yourself into the emergency room right away.  The doctors there will determine if activated charcoal can be used for whatever was consumed.

The faster that activated charcoal gets into your stomach, the better.  When it comes into direct contact with a compound that is the right size and has the right chemical properties, the compound gets absorbed into the pores of the carbon particle.  This works to control poisoning by keeping the toxic chemicals from being absorbed into your bloodstream, instead passing harmlessly through your digestive tract.¹

One of the potential activities of activated charcoal is the reduction of bacteria in the gut.  In animal feed lots, where livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry are in close quarters and fed atypical diets, antibiotics are frequently added to their feed to reduce their chances of getting sick.  Activated charcoal is sometimes feed as an alternative to antibiotics to reduce bacteria in these animals, or to reduce toxicity from eating harmful plants.^2-5

It is unknown currently what kinds of antibacterial effects activated charcoal may have on humans.  Be aware, though: these effects likely do not distinguish between pathogenic bacteria and beneficial bacteria.  Taking activated charcoal is known to have undesirable digestive effects in people.  Supplementation with activated charcoal can cause gastrointestinal upset, such as constipation, vomiting, and diarrhea.⁶

A few potential benefits of the oral use of activated charcoal have been raised.  Very small studies have found improvements in blood serum levels of cholesterol in patients with hypercholesterolemia⁷ and phosphate in patients with end stage renal failure.⁸  It may also help with bile production in pregnant women with cholestasis.⁹  If you are considering taking activated charcoal to manage any condition, it is critical that you discuss this with your doctor first because activated charcoal has interactions with many different medications.¹  The safety of activated charcoal supplements has not yet been determined.

The major issue with activated charcoal supplementation is that it doesn’t distinguish between toxic compounds and beneficial ones.  Taking activated charcoal on a regular basis could reduce the number of nutrients that your intestines absorb into your bloodstream.  Activated charcoal can absorb fluoride, important for keeping your teeth strong and healthy,¹⁰ and potentially can absorb other vitamins and minerals.

If you recall, activated charcoal is used to treat people who have overdosed on drugs and medications.  If you take activated charcoal preventatively, it can reduce the efficacy of any prescription medications you may be taking, including birth control.  You should not take activated charcoal if you are taking certain other medications, including acetaminophen, digoxin, theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants.⁶    Be sure to always discuss with your doctor if you are thinking of taking any supplements, including activated charcoal.

Since your liver, kidneys, and spleen do a good job removing toxins from your body on their own, it might be best that you don’t interfere with your digestion by taking activated charcoal unless needed for acute poison control.