What is Activated Charcoal and What are Its Benefits

A picture of charcoal in a bowl.

Introduction

Have you heard about activated charcoal but aren’t really sure what it and how it can help you stay healthy and reach your wellness goals?

If so, you’ve come to the right place.

While the use of activated charcoal has soared over the past decade due to its powerful benefits, many people still aren’t sure what to expect.

That’s why in this article, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about activated charcoal from what it is and how it works, to how often you can take it and how to choose the right supplement to ensure the highest level of effectiveness.

What is activated charcoal?

While many people envision those charcoal briquettes you throw on your grill when they think of activated charcoal, that image couldn’t be further from the truth.

While both contain substances made of carbon, activated charcoal is made by superheating that carbon until it’s a fine powder. This process, which is known as activation, strips away any molecules that the charcoal has already absorbed, leaving bonding sites on its surface free. Additionally, activation of charcoal creates microscopic holes in the surface of the carbon and reduces the size of its pores. Together, this dramatically enhances its surface area.

You may be surprised to know that just one teaspoon of activated charcoal has the same or larger surface area than an entire football field because of this!

The process also ensures that activated charcoal cannot be absorbed by your body. This means that when you take an activated charcoal supplement, it passes through your gut – taking with it any toxins or impurities it collects.

How does activated charcoal work?

While many people believe that activated charcoal works by absorbing toxins in the gut, activated charcoal actually works through a process known as adsorption.

While adsorption means that one substance takes another into it, combining its atoms and molecules, adsorption is a process of adherence or sticking to something.

Through adsorption, activated charcoal draws impurities or irritating, gas-causing substances to it, binding them to its surface. Because the surface of the activated charcoal is negatively charged, it pulls in positively charged substances.

Once these substances are bound to the charcoal, they pass with it through the gut and out of the body via the stool. So if the charcoal adsorbs these substances, they cannot be absorbed into the body.

What are the health benefits of activated charcoal?

So, now that you know how activated charcoal works, let’s look at what benefits it can offer to your daily health.

#1 – Promotes natural detoxification

The most obvious benefit to taking activated charcoal is its ability to support your body’s natural detoxification processes. By adsorbing irritating impurities that would otherwise be absorbed by your body, activated charcoal offers easy detoxification support.

Unlike other detoxification supplements, activated charcoal can be taken daily to promote healthy detoxification.

The porous structure of activated charcoal provides an expansive surface area capable of binding to and trapping various toxins and impurities in the digestive system. As the charcoal moves through the gastrointestinal tract, it acts like a sponge, attracting and adsorbing harmful substances and preventing their absorption into the body. This detoxification process is particularly valuable in supporting the body's natural ability to eliminate environmental pollutants, heavy metals, and other unwanted compounds. By aiding in removing these toxins, activated charcoal supplements contribute to a cleaner, more balanced internal environment, promoting overall well-being and supporting the body's natural detoxification mechanisms.

#2 - Digestive Health

Activated charcoal is recognized for easing digestive problems such as bloating and gas. Its mechanism involves adsorbing, not absorbing, gas-producing substances in the digestive system to relieve discomfort.

The adsorptive qualities of activated charcoal also support the development of a balanced microbial environment in the gut, aiding in maintaining a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria crucial for digestive health. Because of this, activated charcoal might help alleviate the occasional upset stomach. And its adsorptive nature can help neutralize discomfort and contribute to a calmer stomach.

#3 - Total Body Wellness

Activated charcoal also shines in other areas of health and wellbeing. Evidence supports the potential positive impact of activated charcoal on cholesterol levels. Several studies suggest that it could bind to cholesterol and bile acids in the digestive system, hindering their absorption and facilitating excretion to help maintain normal cholesterol levels.

Additionally, activated charcoal might enhance kidney function by minimizing the burden of waste products that need filtration. This can help support naturally healthy kidney function.

How often can I take activated charcoal?

A big benefit that we previously talked about is that activated charcoal can be taken daily. This means that it can serve as regular support for detoxification, digestion and overall health. It can also be used along with other detoxification regimens to promote healthy detox between cleanses.

Which activated charcoal supplement is best?

In choosing an activated charcoal supplement to support your wellness goals, you’ll want to look for a product that offers ozonated activated charcoal.

Ozone is a gas that dramatically alters the surface of the activated charcoal, increasing its adsorption capabilities by 10X. This makes the charcoal 10X more effective at absorbing poisons and toxins and improves detoxification, digestion, and the reduction of gas, bloating, and environmental pollutants.

The ozonation process also imparts additional oxidative capabilities, making ozonated activated charcoal adept at trapping impurities and supporting overall well-being in a way that sets it apart from traditional activated charcoal supplements.

So to get the most from your activated charcoal supplement, ozonated activated charcoal is the best choice.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to support detoxification, improve digestion and keep your kidney function and cholesterol levels healthy, activated charcoal can help! Don’t wait to experience its powerful health benefits, with 10X the effectiveness using ozonated activated charcoal. It’s your easy daily cleanse that can produce incredible results.

Products We Love

Ozonated Activated Charcoal
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Ozonated Activated Charcoal

Detoxification and Digestive Health

Ultimate Probiotic
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Ultimate Probiotic

The Daily, Full-Spectrum Probiotic

Quadruple Strength Vegan Formula
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Omega 3•6•7•9

Quadruple Strength Vegan Formula

†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.


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Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATE

Dr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.

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