What’s Up with Activated Charcoal?

Not for Your BBQ

For starters, it’s important to know that common charcoal comes from peat, coal, wood, coconut shells or petroleum. Activated charcoal is usually made from coconut shells or other natural alternatives. The production of activated charcoal involves the heating of common charcoal so that it expands, creating a highly porous surface. You can purchase activated charcoal in its powdered form, either loosely or inside a capsule. While common charcoal and activated charcoal are nearly identical, you’re not going to want start taking doses of Kingsford Original. Common BBQ charcoal is highly toxic.

Medicinal Usage

Activated charcoal is an extremely porous substance and has been used for ages as a detoxifier. Just 1 gram of activated charcoal can contain the equivalent of 32,000 ft in surface area. Yes, you read that right... and yes, that's an insanely microporous surface. Through a process called adsorption, activated charcoal draws toxins from the body, binds with them and ultimately expels them. It’s used widely in emergency trauma centers to treat everything from alcohol poisoning to venomous snake bites.

Natural Remedy Usage

Activated charcoal’s detoxifying properties afford it several uses for improving certain areas of one’s health. Have a look a few of these uses.

1. Alleviates Gas & Bloating: Taking 500 mg of activated charcoal an hour before a particularly hearty meal can work wonders for your stomach.
2. Lessens Your Hangover: Before your next big night of drinking pop an activated charcoal capsule. It helps to more quickly remove the extra toxins commonly found in alcohol from the body.
3. Whitens Teeth: This is less of a detoxifying remedy than the first two on this list, but effective none the less. Sprinkle a bit of activated charcoal on your toothpaste and brush away. You should see results after a few brushings
4. Clears Up Your Skin: Activated charcoal can be found in many soaps and other exfoliating products. Check out a few options on Etsy.
5. Reduces High Cholesterol: Studies have shown activated charcoal can reduce bad cholesterol as much as some prescription drugs do.

You can also choose to do a full body detox that usually lasts one to two weeks. Find the dosage that works for you and make sure to drink extra water to avoid constipation. This high-grade coconut based activated charcoal powder is a great place to start.

For a simplified less messy approach, go with the capsule form. It's actually pretty challenging to find a really solid all natural coconut charcoal product, which doesn't contain fillers or other unnecessary junk. Bulletproof makes a very high quality capsule form, and although you'll pay a bit more of a premium price with their products, the quality might be worth the few extra dollars.