Activated charcoal, or carbon, is generally used to treat poisoning or accidental overdose. The "Physicians' Desktop Reference" also suggests that the properties of activated charcoal have currently been tested and used for conditions ranging from high cholesterol to body detoxification, gastrointestinal disorders and flatulence. Activated charcoal is considered safe and can frequently be seen in hospital emergency rooms, homes with small children and drug rehabilitation centers to treat accidental and intentional means of overdose and poisoning occurrences where ridding the body of toxins is a priority.
Cholesterol
The porous qualities in activated charcoal have reportedly led to further investigation regarding its effects on cholesterol. According to the "Physicians' Desktop Reference," studies have shown that when the charcoal was administered in 8g formulas, three times a day over four weeks, dramatic improvements were made. In fact, some individuals experienced a 25- to 41- percent drop in LDL, or bad, cholesterol levels while their HDL, or good cholesterol, soared to healthy levels. It should be noted that while activated charcoal can reduce lipids in the blood, it can also cancel or compromise the integrity of heart and cholesterol medications. Under these circumstances, activated charcoal must only be taken with the supervision of a licensed health professional.
Detoxification
Emergency rooms see accidental overdose and poisonings on a daily basis. A child may get into a cabinet full of household cleaners and drink them, or take medicine or drugs, making it necessary to purge the toxins from the body. Activated charcoal is used in this scenario via a feeding tube, and it absorbs the harmful substance. Drug Information Online suggests that due to the need to vomit or pass a stool, the individual receiving the activated charcoal needs to be awake and alert to avoid choking or other hazards. Newer studies of activated charcoal are examining the effects it has in anti-aging products and diet.
Candida Albicans
Candida albicans is a chronic medical condition that stems from overactivity of yeast in the body. With so much sugar in the American diet, it is no surprise to find it to be the culprit behind yeast overgrowth problems. Sugar actually feeds yeast, leading to an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. This condition, candida, has received new awareness of its link to numerous conditions ranging from autism to arthritis, behavioral and psychological disturbances and skin disorders. Talk About Curing Autism describes candida as the condition responsible for gut inflammation problems and suggests activated charcoal as a means to cleanse the toxic effects of yeast overgrowth from the body. It is important that you consult your health-care provider if you want to use activated charcoal for this purpose.
