Activated Charcoal: Universal Antidote and Detoxifier

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Activated Charcoal: Universal Antidote and Detoxifier JoAnn Guest Oct 16,

2005 12:20 PDT

 

by Richard C. Kaufman, Ph.D.

March 14, 2005

 

 

http://www.thenhf.com/articles_91.htm

 

 

Activated charcoal is a highly absorbent gritty black material commonly

found in air and water filters. Activated charcoal is created by

carbonizing organic matter in a kiln under anaerobic conditions and

activating the material with oxidizing gases like steam or air at high

temperatures. This oxidative process erodes the charcoals internal

surfaces and increases its adsorption capacity by creating an internal

network of very fine pores. Usually bone char, coconut shells, peat,

coal, petroleum coke, and sawdust are the starting materials for making

activated charcoal.

 

Early Uses Of Charcoal

 

The medical uses for charcoal date back to the Egyptian Papyrus of 1550

B.C. During the time of Hippocrates (400 B.C.) physicians treated

epilepsy and anthrax with charcoal. In the 1700s charcoal was often

prescribed for bilious problems (excessive bile excretion). After the

development of the charcoal activation process (1870 to 1920), many

reports appeared in medical journals about activated charcoal as an

antidote for poisons and a cure for intestinal disorders.

 

Contemporary Charcoal Use

 

Modern research has validated most of the early uses for charcoal and

discovered exciting new applications. This article will discuss the many

important therapeutic uses for activated charcoal;

 

Universal antidote for drugs, chemicals and poisons.

 

Systemic clearance of drugs and intoxicants.

 

General detoxification.

 

Anti-aging and life extension.

 

Reducing cholesterol, coronary disease and arteriosclerosis.

 

Counteracting pathogens.

 

Intestinal complaints.

 

 

Antidote For Drugs, Chemicals and Poisons

 

Activated charcoal has the well-earned reputation of being a universal

antidote. It can adsorb most organic chemicals, many inorganic chemicals

and countless poisonous substances before they can cause harm. How well

activated charcoal really works in practical situations depends on

several different factors:

 

The type of toxicant (its chemical structure and physical properties)

 

The amount and type of charcoal ingested.

 

The length of time from toxin ingestion to activated charcoal ingestion.

 

 

The contents of your intestinal fluids and intestinal transport

efficiency.

 

As a general rule, a single large dose of activated charcoal should be

taken as soon as possible after ingesting a poison. The amount of

activated charcoal should exceed the toxic substance by a factor of

eight (a ratio of 8:1). In other words, if youre poisoned with 5 grams

of a chemical, you need to take at least 40 grams of activated charcoal.

Other researchers recommend different dosages. Some experts believe a 10

to 1 ratio is correct. Still other experts recommend a fixed amount of

50 to 100 grams. I recommend ingesting a minimum of 50 grams of

activated charcoal as a counterpoison, because ingesting large amounts

of activated charcoal is harmless, and taking too little is ineffective.

Besides, how often in the case of an emergency can you precisely

determine the amount of the poison?

 

The actual effectiveness of the activated charcoal will vary, so take

more than you think you require. Activated charcoal should be taken

within 30 minutes of ingesting the poison. The longer the delay, the

less effective activated charcoal will be. On some poisons delaying more

than 30 minutes decreases the effectiveness of the activated charcoal as

an antidote by up to 60%. The bottom line is plain and simple. Keeping

activated charcoal in your medicine cabinet and taking it if you are

poisoned could save your life and your money too. It has been estimated

that use of activated charcoal for treating poisonings could reduce the

stay in intensive care from 3 or 4 days to one, saving over $100,000,000

in health care costs and preventing unnecessary disability and death.

 

Systemic Clearance of Drugs and Intoxicants

 

Nowadays, activated charcoal is often used to clear drugs and

intoxicants that can enter the body through the intestinal tract, and

even by injection and other routes. The systemic clearance of toxic

substances or detoxification by activated charcoal is accomplished by

taking multiple daily doses. Activated charcoal detoxifies the body in

several manners:

 

Purifies the 6-8 liters of digestive fluids that are secreted daily

which in turn helps remove foreign substances from the blood.

 

Absorbs the intoxicant substance and its metabolites that are excreted

into the small intestine from the biliary (bile) tract, preventing their

reabsorption.

 

Absorbs drugs that diffuse back into the stomach and intestines.

 

Decreases the detoxification work load of the liver.

 

Activated charcoal shortens the time it takes an intoxicant to leave the

system and decreases the duration and intensity of symptoms. People who

take activated charcoal after drinking alcohol or taking recreational

drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines recover quicker. I recommend

activated charcoal as part of a drug recovery program to ease withdrawal

symptoms and reduce drug craving. Other nutrients that help are the

neurotransmitter precursors L-Tyrosine, L-Tryptophan, L-Phenylalanine,

Choline and DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol).

 

Even experts disagree on the best way of using multiple doses of

activated charcoal to remove intoxicants. Most protocols are based on

experience with drug overdosages. In actual clinical situations, the

activated charcoal regimen is optimized to the patient. The doctor

considers the type of toxic substance, severity of intoxification,

digestive functions and electrolyte balance. For mild overdoses and

intoxification, I suggest up to 80-100 grams divided into 4-6 daily

doses of powdered activated charcoal until the symptoms are eliminated.

Consult an expert who can optimize your regimen. For a dangerous

overdosage call your physician or hospital immediately.

 

General Detoxification

 

Very few health practitioners realize that activated charcoal is the

best single supplement for enhancing detoxification. Detoxification is

an on-going biological process that prevents toxins (from infectious

agents, food, air, water, and substances that contact the skin) from

destroying health. Chronic exposure to toxins produces cellular damage,

diverse diseases, allergic like reactions, compromised immunity and

premature aging.

 

To use activated charcoal in a detoxification plan, I recommend about 20

grams a day of powdered activated charcoal be taken in divided daily

doses for several months or the duration of the detoxification program.

 

In addition to activated charcoal, the ideal detoxification prescription

includes sauna baths, exercise, a special diet, and supplements

(unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin C, niacin, proteolytic (protein

digesting) enzymes, liver support phytonutrients, and a comprehensive

multiple nutrient formula.

 

Anti-Aging and Life Extension

 

Dr. V. V. Frolkis, a famous Russian Gerontologist, and his colleagues

have discovered that activated charcoal is a potent life-extending

agent. Activated charcoal has been found to increase the mean lifespan

of older test animals by approximately 40% and their maximum lifespan by

approximately 34%.

 

Activated charcoal decreases the age-related increase in the brains

sensitivity to drugs and toxins.

 

Activated charcoal normalizes cholesterol and lipid metabolism.

 

The regular use of activated charcoal improves the adaptive functioning

of essential organs (the liver, kidneys, and adrenals). That translates

into better defense mechanisms.

 

Microscopic tissue analysis shows that activated charcoal prevents many

cellular changes associated with aging-decreased protein synthesis,

lower RNA activity, arteriosclerosis, and organ fibrosis. So the

cumlative effects from activated charcoal are longer life and improved

overall health.

 

A recommended protocol for anti-aging and life extension benefits is as

follows: On two consecutive days each week, take about 30 grams each day

of powdered activated charcoal in divided daily doses. Take charcoal in

the morning, at midday and before bed on an empty stomach. Avoid

excessive calories or unhealthy foods on those days.

 

Reducing Cholesterol and Coronary Artery Disease

 

You can help your heart and circulatory system by taking activated

charcoal. Activated charcoal lowers the concentration of total lipids,

cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood serum, liver, heart and

brain. In one study that was reported in the British journal, Lancet, on

patients with high cholesterol, 8 gm of activated charcoal taken three

times a day lowered total cholesterol 25%, lowered LDL cholesterol 41%

and doubled their HDL/LDL (high-density lipoprotein/low-density

lipoprotein) cholesterol ratio. Microscopic tissue examination studies

have shown that a daily dose of activated charcoal may prevent sclerotic

changes in the heart and coronary blood vessels. To help your heart and

blood vessels, I suggest the following: 12-17 grams of activated

charcoal twice a day for one month under the guidance of a physician who

can measure cardiovascular improvements and cholesterol levels.

 

Counteracting Pathogens

 

Activated charcoal reduces the activity of some viruses. So if you catch

a cold or the flu, try activated charcoal. You may suffer less and heal

faster. Activated charcoal also prevents the poisonous activity of many

harmful bacteria in the human body by adsorbing the toxins and enzymes

that they generate. Studies have shown that activated charcoal is an

effective treatment for dysentery, cholera, and many infectious

conditions of the digestive tract.

 

Systemic Candidiasis

 

Activated charcoal can be an effective adjunct to any regimen for the

treatment of systemic Candida albicans infections. Activated charcoal

adsorbs much of the toxins that Candida produces that otherwise would be

absorbed by the blood and carried throughout the body. These toxins

produce pathological changes in tissues and organs and interfere with

proper immune function. Candida toxins cause allergic reactions and are

responsible for the debilitating symptoms of Candidiasis.

 

Activated charcoal also suppresses the growth of intestinal-based

yeasts. Activated charcoal counteracts the Herxheimer reaction--a

severe, short-term exacerbation of Candida symptoms caused by the

copious amount of toxins produced by dying yeast cells. The Herxheimer

reaction is often so unpleasant that patients abandon treatment before

completion. Activated charcoal is one method for alleviating the

symptoms of yeast die-off so people can continue their treatment and not

suffer.

 

I suggest 20-30 grams of powdered activated charcoal a day in divided

dosages on an empty stomach until the problem is eliminated. The larger

amount is taken for more severe situations. Again, a reminder: do not

take required medications within 2 hours of taking activated charcoal.

 

Intestinal Complaints

 

Activated charcoal has been used by physicians since the last century to

treat various intestinal complaints. Abdominal distension (bloating) and

flatulence respond favorably to treatment with activated charcoal.

Diarrhea caused by food poisoning, bacteria, nervousness and other

factors is usually alleviated by taking activated charcoal. Some

physicians have used activated charcoal to stop bleeding from ulcerative

colitis and calm spastic colons. Activated charcoal is the best

intestinal deodorant available. Taking activated charcoal counteracts

decomposition products from food (such as beans) that cause flatulence

and diarrhea. Individuals with malodorous stools should reach for

activated charcoal. Travelers to foreign countries would be wise to pack

activated charcoal. In my opinion, activated charcoal is the most

practical way to effectively counteract food poisoning. To alleviate

intestinal disorders with activated charcoal, I recommend the following.

As an antidote for food poisoning, take 20 grams of activated charcoal

two to three times daily. For other intestinal complaints, 5 to 10 grams

of powdered activated charcoal twice daily.

 

Charcoal Is Safe

 

Toxicology studies have proven that activated charcoal is basically

harmless. Ingesting high dosages does not interfere with sleep, appetite

or well being--or cause major problems. There are several undesirable

effects of using activated charcoal that can be avoided by complying

with the following directions. Activated charcoal is highly adsorbent;

when it is ingested at the same time as medication, supplements and

foods it may decrease their absorption and utilization. Therefore,

always allow 2 hours before and wait 2 hours after using activated

charcoal to eat, take supplements or swallow medication. Activated

charcoal has a natural tendency to cause constipation. That can be

counteracted by taking a mild herbal laxative with the activated

charcoal. Finally activated charcoal harmlessly blackens your stools.

Although black-gray stools look strange, they can be used to calculate

your bowel transit time. Just measure the length of time from taking

activated charcoal to the appearance of darkened stools.

 

Not All Charcoal is Alike

 

Numerous companies manufacture activated charcoals, each of which can

have different adsorptive capacities. Different source materials and

manufacturing procedures give each brand of activated charcoal its own

pore diameters and internal volume that determine its adsorption

capacity. The U.S.P. (United States Pharmacopoeia) standard for

activated charcoal specifies an internal surface area of 1000 m2/g

(square meters per gram). Recently, several companies have begun

manufacturing Super activated charcoals, with up to 3 times the internal

surface area per gram and far greater adsorption power than standard

activated charcoal.

 

Powders, Capsules, or Tablets?

 

Because of the large volume of charcoal that is needed, it is easiest to

take liquid preparation of charcoal powder. For example, to take 30

grams of charcoal a day in capsules would require that you swallow about

60 capsules. Furthermore, activated charcoal tablets are not effective.

They take too long to disintegrate and release the activated charcoal.

 

Ideal Charcoal Preparation

 

Unfortunately, a simple water and charcoal mixture is unpalatable and

messy. It tastes like a charcoal briquette, and blackens your teeth,

gums and tongue. These problems can be avoided by ingesting a powdered

activated charcoal complex that contains a thickening agent like

bentonite, with added flavors and mild sweeteners.

 

Research studies showed that that the addition of bentonite with or

without chocolate significantly improved the palatability of an

activated charcoal and water slurry. Bentonite acts as thickening agent

that reduces powdery mouth-feel and improves the taste without reducing

the efficacy of activated charcoal. In fact, bentonite is an

enterosorption agent and a poison antidote in its own right. For

example, bentonite has been shown to bind and reduce the poison

paraquat. The addition of chocolate further enhances the palatability of

activated charcoal in research studies and practical experience.

 

Provided by Zeusinfoservice

Reprinted with permission of Journal Of The Megahealth Society, Vol. 5,

No. 3, Issue #23 ISSN 0891-5334. Copyright 1989 by MegaHealth Society,

now Cognitive Enhancement Research Institute (CERI), publishers of Smart

Life News. CERI explores the latest research and treatment for

Alzheimerss, Parkinsons, Downs syndrome and age-associated mental

impairment in normal, healthy adults.

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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