Activated Charcoal – why is it so great?
Activated charcoal has provided health benefits since 3750 B. C for a variety of reasons. It uses the charred remains of non-toxic wood and other vegetation. It was used in Egypt as a cleaning product, for creating bronze, for writing, and as a digestive aid.
What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is not the black powdery gunk left at the bottom of your grill. Activated Charcoal is exposed to very high temperatures, which changes its internal structure, making it very porous and a much more potent detoxifier. While it is going through the heating process, charcoal also becomes, what is called activated. This means it can hold a negative electric charge. This charge will then attract positively-charged toxins. A good quality charcoal can attract up to 100 times its weight in toxic materials. The detoxification pathways are crucial for maintaining optimum health.
Activated Charcoal Uses
In our everyday routine we are exposed to many toxins. Toxins are in our food, in our water, even in the air we breathe. Toxins can be found in the lotions you put on your skin, in the chemicals you use to clean your home and even in the new appliances, furniture, carpets, and cars you buy. No one is immune to toxic exposure these days. This is how it can help.
Heavy metals
Activated charcoal can help to remove some of the heavy metals that you have in your system. Some of these include copper, lead, arsenic, and mercury.
Lowers Cholesterol
Activated charcoal may benefit people with high cholesterol levels. There was a study that showed that people who took 8 grams of this three times a day significantly lower LDL levels and total cholesterol levels.
Helps your Digestive System
Charcoal helps by cleaning out the gunk in your gut through adsorption, this is quite different than absorption. Adsorption is the process of attraction that positively-charged substances go through when they bind with negatively-charged particles. Charcoal is good for helping with acute diarrhea and also for gas and bloating
Toothpaste
Activated Charcoal is also used in toothpaste. This is because it is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. It is also used for teeth-whitening and is a detoxifying agent for your mouth.
When you have a build up of toxins in your body it can affect your brain. It can help support your liver and adrenals as well as your kidneys. By using the charcoal to remove toxins it can also slow the rate in which your brain becomes sensitive to common toxins.
Emergencies
Activated charcoal is used for soaking up poison, helping with wounds, infections and even water purification. Activated charcoal is used for accidental overdose or poisonings caused by snakes and insects. Charcoal can also help fight infections, both internally and externally, can help in wound healing when applied as a poultice, and is a key toxin-filtering substance found in most water and air filtration systems.
Types of Charcoal
If you are thinking about using activated charcoal for your health it is important to know the different types and how to take it. For activated charcoal to be a quality powder supplement it should be non-GMO, completely free from chemicals, and created using only non-toxic types of wood. For your health the best kind comes from either non-GMO, organically processed coconut shells, or bamboo. This can be found most commonly in powder where is it can be loose, that you mix with water, in capsules, or compressed into an activated charcoal pill. These can all help with detoxification.
Super Charcoal is a charcoal substance that consists of C60 carbon molecules. C60 is a type of anti-aging molecule. The difference between regular activated charcoal, which contains only about 1% C60, and the super charcoal is that while activated charcoal is good for everyday detox, C60 takes that detoxification to the next level to clear out toxins at the cellular level.
Side Effects
Activated charcoal has no serious side effects as long as it is non-toxic, non-GMO sources. You should also drink plenty of water with your supplement. It can cause constipation; this is normally due to not drinking enough water along with your supplement. Some people can have an allergic reaction, but this is rare. Taking activated charcoal with prescription medication may lessen the desired effect so it’s not a good idea. Remember to consult with a health professional if you have any concerns. It can also make your stool darker than normal when taking activated charcoal. This means that it is doing it’s job properly.
When it comes to how much you should be taking, there is no one answer as it depends on your needs and lifestyle. Some people take a lot of it every time they travel. Others take a capsule or two before a meal which they feel may expose them to extra toxins. This can be a dinner at a restaurant or a cocktail party where you may have a few more alcoholic drinks than normal. Other people may find it works best for them to take it when waking up. By taking it in the morning with a large glass of water you may find that your brain fog is less.
Where to find help
For more information on how natural remedies can help you go to my article on https://www.wellbeing.com.au/body/health/natural-remedies-and-what-grandma-knew.html
It doesn’t matter how you take activated charcoal the most important thing is that it is 100% organic and/or wild-crafted. Make sure your product is from a non-toxic wood such as coconut or bamboo and non-GMO. Here at Stressfree Management we use activated charcoal and other supplements to help your digestion, absorption and to get you balanced on all levels. You can find us at www.stressfreehealthmanagement.com
