Whether you are new to the health scene or have been around for a while, you have probably heard about the importance of detoxing. You may also have seen the growing trend of using activated charcoal for detoxing. Is there any truth to this, or is it simply a passing fad?
Hospitals have been using activated charcoal to address cases of acute poisoning. Today, people take charcoal to help alleviate gas, bloating, and mild indigestion. A growing body of evidence also suggests it may assist the body in getting rid of heavy metals, parasites, and more. Mold is also a major toxin. In this podcast episode, I share a personal struggle I had with mold and how I navigated that chapter in my life.
In this article, we are going to separate fact from fiction. We will examine the unique properties of activated charcoal and how it helps your body flush out toxins. I personally love activated charcoal and promote it as a part of natural detoxing. Understanding how charcoal for detoxifying works can enhance gut health and promote optimal digestion. As a bonus, you will also learn a few additional ways to get the most out of your detoxification efforts.
The Science Behind Activated Charcoal for Detoxing
Food, medication, and anything else you ingest begins the digestion process as it travels through your stomach to your intestines. The stomach and intestines perform mechanical and chemical digestion using acid, bile, enzymes, and the bacteria in your gut. From there, material travels through your intestines for further digestion and absorption.
As it moves through your small intestines, the epithelial layer of your small intestines begins the process of absorption. This layer contains millions of finger-like projections called villus. Each villi uses blood capillaries and lymph vessels to carry nutrients across the membranes. From there, blood or lymph receives these nutrient molecules and carries them to the cells via cellular transport (1). Your nerves play a vital role in digestion, and in this podcast episode, Dr. Navaz Habib talks about the vagus nerve and how to improve vagal nerve function.
Charcoal comes from burned carbon-based materials, particularly wood or coconut shells. The remains of these burned materials are a fine, black, powdery substance. Manufacturers take the charcoal in this form and ‘activate’ it, treating it with oxygen at high temperatures. This enables the charcoal to be more porous (2).
The key benefit of activated charcoal is its porous nature, which makes it effective for detoxing. As it travels through the digestive tract, it attracts and binds to certain toxins in the gut. This prevents the intestines from reabsorbing them, making activated charcoal ideal for detoxing.
Now that you understand how activated charcoal works, let us examine how it specifically benefits your digestive tract.
How Activated Charcoal for Detoxing Targets Different Toxins
Many people take activated charcoal for detoxification in hopes it will trap common everyday toxins. Research shows that activated charcoal can remove certain pesticides from aqueous environments (3). Taking activated charcoal for detoxing may help reduce gas and digestive triggers by trapping irritating substances. It can also fight oxidative stress, which often leads to inflammation. Dr. Will Cole talks about the dangers of inflammation in this fascinating podcast interview.
Heavy metals and other toxic chemicals can enter your body through your skin, lungs, and gut. Activated charcoal's porous nature may help bind and flush out these toxins, preventing them from entering your bloodstream and causing havoc.
However, it is important to note that it does not bind to everything. For example, there are certain metals it will not bind to, such as lithium or iron. In addition, activated charcoal will only pull toxins from alcohol ingestion if you consume it before you drink. It also will not bind to electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium (4).
Why Charcoal for Detoxifying Only Works in the Digestive Tract
If you are wondering whether activated charcoal for detoxing is safe, let me reassure you. This type of substance does not go beyond the digestive tract. Unlike other detoxifying agents, such as zeolite or the nutrients found in chlorella, charcoal does not cross over and enter the bloodstream. This makes it ideal for those who want to enhance their gut health and optimize their detoxifying efforts naturally.
How Activated Charcoal for Detoxing Supports Gut Health
Every day, our liver, gut, and other detoxing organs are bombarded with toxins. Pesticides coat our foods. Heavy metals leach into our drinking water — even the air we breathe is polluted with chemicals.
Detoxing the gut is critical to maintaining optimal digestion and immune system function. Activated charcoal can help remove irritants, reduce oxidative stress, and promote healthy gut function.
AMMD™’s Charcoal Binder Complete combines the power of activated coconut charcoal with other powerful detoxifying elements such as Zeolite, Shilajit, Spirulina, and Chlorella.
Pairing this with a comprehensive Biofilm Disruptor further breaks down stubborn biofilms that protect harmful bacteria, yeast, fungi, and other microbes. Clearing them out encourages healthy toxin elimination and a more balanced microbiome.
Maximizing the Benefits of Charcoal for Detoxifying
Here are a few extra tips to help you get the most out of your detoxifying efforts. As with any detox protocol, remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of filtered water. Proper hydration makes it easier for your body to flush toxins. Knowing when to take activated charcoal for detox is also important for your daily routine.
Adding gut-nourishing foods can also support your body, along with charcoal for detoxifying. Herbs such as garlic, turmeric, and leafy greens contain bioactive compounds that protect your cells and fight oxidative stress. Beets, apples, and broccoli sprouts are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support detoxification on a cellular level. Dr. Deanna Minich deep dives into the benefits of eating the rainbow in this podcast episode.
To take your detoxification to the next level, pair Charcoal Binder Complete with AMMD™ 's Glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful molecule famous for its detoxifying properties. It amplifies detoxification and helps you experience optimal results.
Pairing these two packs is a powerful one-two punch against toxins. Glutathione pulls toxins out, allowing the Charcoal Binder Complete to bind and eliminate these harmful toxins.
Optimize Your Detox with AMMD™
Charcoal is a naturally occurring substance that forms when carbon-based materials burn. It has a history of being used in hospitals and at home to pull toxins and soothe irritants. Using activated charcoal for detoxing is a safe and effective way to support healthy detoxification in the gut.
For more ways to improve digestive and overall health, check out AMMD™’s signature collection of gut health supplements, tailored to your unique needs. Whether you have a leaky gut, an autoimmune condition, or simply want to improve gut health, you can find your perfect match by taking our quiz here.
You can also catch the latest on gut health, mitochondrial health, and integrative medicine on the Take Back Your Health™ podcast.
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