Activated charcoal and stomach bugs: We’ve all felt those dreaded symptoms: sweaty, nauseous, multiple trips running to the bathroom. Stomach bugs come on swiftly and suddenly; depending on the reason, they can be incredibly contagious. You may feel helpless, but there is hope beyond the usual recommendations of hydration and rest

Activated charcoal, a traditional remedy used in many cultures for hundreds of years, has found its way into the wellness market in drinks and gummies for its detoxification benefits. But it may just be the solution to have ready when stomach bugs arrive in your home.

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD

Activated Charcoal and Stomach Bugs: What is activated charcoal?

Not to be confused with the charcoal from your barbeque, activated charcoal has been used as a remedy for many reasons beyond gastrointestinal issues, including skincare and even hangovers. It’s also commonly used in Western medicine, especially to treat ingestion of poison or overdose. Its history dates back to the early 1800s when it was reported that a French chemist drank arsenic trioxide, which should have killed him but didn’t because he drank it with activated charcoal.

What makes activated charcoal unique is its ability to bind with toxins like heavy metals or poisons so the body can get rid of them. It helps keep your body from absorbing the toxin in the gut, limiting how much of it moves into the bloodstream.

Interestingly, one study also found that an activated charcoal product helped protect the gut microbiome during antibiotic treatment.

Activated charcoal is made from various carbon-rich materials (bamboo, coconut shells, and wood) that are burned and processed at a high temperature. It’s activated by the high temperature and special chemicals that enhance the porosity and surface area, increasing its ability to absorb compounds.

How is activated charcoal commonly used?

Uses of activated charcoal include:

• Treatment after poisoning. As mentioned, charcoal is used as a medication in the emergency room. These large doses (much larger than you would take at home) reduce the absorption of whatever was ingested and help remove the substance before it causes harm to your body. It should be noted that any accidental overdose or poisoning cases should be managed by a medical professional and not at home.|
• Deodorant. Many companies use activated charcoal as an ingredient in more natural deodorant products. Charcoal can also bind to odor-causing bacteria or toxins in the armpits.
• Toothpaste and oral care products. The powerful binding properties that make activated charcoal helpful for removing toxins from the body also help remove them from your teeth. The theory is that these products can help remove unwanted bacteria from your mouth and helps to whiten teeth in the process.
• Water filters. Again, activated charcoal works as a water purifier, binding to chemicals and toxins to keep them out of the water.

How does activated charcoal help with stomach bugs?

In the same way that activated charcoal binds with toxins or poisons, it can also bind to bacteria in the stomach, helping relieve your miserable symptoms. Taking it as soon as someone comes down with symptoms can help stop the symptoms or even keep you from getting sick if you are the caregiver.

While more research on humans is needed, one study found that taking activated charcoal with fluids helped improve diarrhea. A review article also found that activated charcoal is a low side-effect option for diarrhea from various conditions.

Researchers have even found that activated charcoal can bind to potentially pathogenic bacteria like E. Coli. It also may help reduce feelings of gas and bloating.

How to take activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is found in:

• Capsules
• Drinks
• Gummies
• Powders

However, activated charcoal likely makes the most sense in response to a condition like the stomach flu and not as an everyday supplement. Its ability to bind is so strong that it can also bind to other things like medications, supplements, or even beneficial minerals in your diet. If you are taking any medications, you should always check with your healthcare practitioner before taking any product with activated charcoal.

Activated charcoal for your natural health toolbox

As a relatively low side-effect option, activated charcoal is a smart choice to have ready to go before the stomach flu hits your home. As with any supplement, check with your doctor before taking it, especially if you are on any medications.

Activated charcoal has seen a huge renaissance in the wellness community, from charcoal lemonades and cocktails to pills and powders. But there’s something that most companies don’t want you to know about these trendy charcoal products… they don’t work. If you’re hoping to safely bind and excrete toxins while holding onto precious vitamins and minerals, you will have to look elsewhere.

The BIND toxin elimination formula by Systemic Formulas is different…

It contains a specialized form of activated charcoal, powerful humates, and key botanicals that effectively bind toxins and prevent retoxification. BIND absorbs up to 300 times its weight in toxins and escorts them out of the body so they can’t be re-absorbed.

NO other binding supplement contains the active ingredients to flush toxins while feeding the gut with powerful probiotics and beneficial fiber.

>> Opt for super-activated, high-quality binding capacity, PLUS powerful nutrients for lasting gut health with BIND.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is based on the opinions of The Cell Health team. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended to share knowledge and information from the research and experience of the Cell Health team. This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD, for the accuracy of the information provided. Still, we encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and in partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

References:

1. Derlet, Robert W., and Timothy E. Albertson. “Activated Charcoal—Past, Present and Future.” Western Journal of Medicine 145, no. 4 (October 1986): 493–96.
2. Silberman, Jason, Michael A. Galuska, and Alan Taylor. “Activated Charcoal.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2021. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482294/.
3. “Activated Charcoal.” Accessed April 1, 2021. https://poison.org/articles/activated-charcoal.
4. Gunzburg, Jean de, Amine Ghozlane, Annie Ducher, Emmanuelle Le Chatelier, Xavier Duval, Etienne Ruppé, Laurence Armand-Lefevre, et al. “Protection of the Human Gut Microbiome from Antibiotics.” BioRxiv, August 4, 2017, 169813. https://doi.org/10.1101/169813.
5. Li, Liqing, Zheng Sun, Hailong Li, and Tim C. Keener. “Effects of Activated Carbon Surface Properties on the Adsorption of Volatile Organic Compounds.” Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995) 62, no. 10 (October 2012): 1196–1202. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2012.700633.
6. Dorn, M. “[Controlled clinical testing of an antidiarrheal].” MMW Fortschritte der Medizin 146 Suppl 2 (August 5, 2004): 57–60.
7. Senderovich, Helen, and Megan J. Vierhout. “Is There a Role for Charcoal in Palliative Diarrhea Management?” Current Medical Research and Opinion 34, no. 7 (July 3, 2018): 1253–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2017.1416345.
8. Naka, K., S. Watarai, null Tana, K. Inoue, Y. Kodama, K. Oguma, T. Yasuda, and H. Kodama. “Adsorption Effect of Activated Charcoal on Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli.” The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 63, no. 3 (March 2001): 281–85. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.63.281.
9. Maconi, G., E. Bolzacchini, E. Radice, M. Marzocchi, and M. Badini. “Alpha-Galactosidase versus Active Charcoal for Improving Sonographic Visualization of Abdominal Organs in Patients with Excessive Intestinal Gas.” Journal of Ultrasound 15, no. 4 (May 17, 2012): 232–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jus.2012.04.002.