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Are there benefits of activated charcoal for gut healing?

I set out to uncover the goods on activated charcoal for gut healing.

On a recent Instagram thread, I saw someone state,

BTW, you might already know this but Activated Charcoal can help. You just have to take it 2 hours (both sides) away from meals, meds, and supps. Helps with bloating and mops up endotoxins.

So what’s the deal?

What is Activated Charcoal?

According to the Global Healing Center, 

Activated charcoal is a byproduct of burning coconut shells, bamboo, olive pits, wood, or various other substances. For your natural medicine cabinet, we recommend purchasing activated charcoal that is organic and made from coconut shells.

Processed at very high temperatures, this unique charcoal is “activated” in a way that changes its structure to increase the surface area and make it more porous. It is the porousness of activated charcoal that makes it effective at attaching to (“adsorbing”) toxins and flushing them out of the body. This is the principle behind activated charcoal detox.

Unlike the charcoal briquettes you use to light your barbecue, activated charcoal is free of toxins and carcinogens and is generally safe to consume and apply topically. Never substitute regular charcoal for the activated charcoal used for health and wellness!

Activated Charcoal for Gut Healing

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Six reasons for using for gut healing:

1. Flushes toxins out of the body (stated above)
2. Relieves stomach discomfort
3. Eases gas and bloating after certain meals
4. Helps the body to expel irritants after food poisoning (SIBO is often triggered after a bout of food poisoning)
5. Promotes overall digestive health
6. Supercharges a cleanse

Sources: HERE, and HERE

Activated Charcoal Supplements

Activated charcoal is a manufactured product. We can’t get it naturally from foods.

It comes as a powder or in tablet form.

The important thing to note is that you trust your source.

Here are 4 activated charcoal supplements I like:

1] Integrative Therapeutics Activated Charcoal

• Capsule form
• Does not include:
  • corn
  • dairy products
  • gluten
  • soy
  • wheat

2] Quicksilver Scientific Ultra Binder Capsules

• Capsule form
• Binds to and removes a wide array of toxins in the GI for a safer, more thorough detox

Note: Once you’re signed up through my Fullscript online dispensary, I’ll increase your savings to 20%. After you make your first purchase, I’ll increase your savings to 25% off for life.

3] Quicksilver Scientific Ultra Binder® Sensitive Formula

• Powder form
• Ultra Binder brings together an optimized combination of Bentonite Clay, Activated Charcoal, Chitosan, Acacia Gum, Aloe Vera. This combination acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract to adhere to toxins, tightly binding and carrying them out of your system so the body is able to detoxify safely and naturally.

4] Source Naturals Charcoal 260mg

• Capsule form
• Charcoal, 100% Pure Activated
• Does not include:
  • yeast
  • dairy
  • egg
  • gluten
  • corn
  • soy
  • wheat

How to Take Activated Charcoal

Depending on the specific activated charcoal product you use, you’ll want to consult with the bottle’s instructions.

Besides that…..

Other things to make note of with regards to taking activated charcoal:

1. Be sure to drink a lot of water to help prevent any constipation that could occur.
2. It’s always good to be aware of any medical conditions such as intestinal bleeding or blockages, holes in the intestines, chronic dehydration, slow digestion, or a recent abdominal surgery, as they may affect how activated charcoal reacts in your body. 
3. Activated charcoal can interfere with the absorption of nutrients, vitamins and other supplements. It can also interfere with prescription medicine. Take activated charcoal 90 minutes to two hours prior to meals, supplements and prescription medicine.
4. Finally, HERE is a list of drugs that may cause potential adverse interactions with activated charcoal. Don’t take any of those? No worries.
5. My list of benefits is for general gut health only. Activated charcoal has been shown to potentially help with drug overdose, but do not try to treat this at home.

If you liked this article on activated charcoal for gut healing, you might also enjoy:

1. How Do I Detox My Gut
2. Gut Bloat Detox (A Gutsy Girl’s system to banish bloat!)
3. Best Digestive Enzymes for Bloating

Xox,
SKH