Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is a hardworking ingredient you might have seen in skincare and supplements. Its main purpose is to support your health by helping remove harmful substances from your body.

But can activated charcoal help with a hangover? Can you count on it as a detoxifying skincare ingredient? The thing is, not all harmful substances bind to activated charcoal, so it’s not a one-size-fits all solution.

Read on to understand more about activated charcoal and its benefits. You’ll also discover our favorite recipes and what science says about activated charcoal. Let’s dive in.

Activated charcoal comes from organic materials like wood, coconut shells, peat or sawdust. These materials undergo carbonization. High temperatures and lack of oxygen make them break down into carbon-rich char. The char activates with the help of oxidizing agents or high-temperature steam.¹

The resulting activated charcoal is then milled into a fine powder. This powder is manufactured as charcoal supplements. These supplements are an easy and convenient way to support detoxification of your body. You can also find activated charcoal in products like cosmetics and toothpastes.

Activated charcoal is a porous form of carbon that traps and absorbs toxins and chemicals. It works through a process called adsorption (which means to bind, rather than absorb). During this process, molecules and ions stick to activated charcoal’s surface. Because it has a big surface area and is a porous structure, it can trap a wide range of substances.

Activated charcoal pills move through your digestive system. As they do, they attract and bind to harmful compounds like toxins, gases and chemicals.² Once they stick to the activated charcoal, your body can’t absorb these substances. Your body gets rid of them through bowel movements.

This makes activated charcoal beneficial for removing a range of harmful substances from your body.

Activated charcoal shows promising benefits, especially when it comes to kidney health.

Activated charcoal could target and reduce certain toxins for patients with severe kidney issues.⁷ A clinical trial conducted at a dialysis center in Iraq examined the effects of activated charcoal supplementation. The study enrolled 82 patients with severe kidney disease undergoing regular treatment. Of those, 15 received activated charcoal alongside their usual care. After 8 weeks, patients who took activated charcoal had big drops in their blood urea and phosphorus levels. This was compared to those who received only standard care.

Another study points to activated charcoal’s usefulness in patients with kidney problems. In this case, participants included 97 patients with moderate to severe kidney problems. Researchers looked at how taking activated charcoal by mouth affected two issues. The first was high phosphate levels in the blood (hyperphosphatemia). The second was hardening of blood vessels (vascular calcification).⁸ The study found that taking activated charcoal helped delay high phosphate levels. It also slowed the hardening of blood vessels in a significant number of patients.

Finally, activated charcoal could help with itching as a side effect for people undergoing dialysis.⁹ Researchers compared two methods to reducing itching in 60 patients. The first was taking activated charcoal by mouth. The second was making the blood flow faster during dialysis. Both treatments helped with itching. Using activated charcoal and speeding up blood flow together worked best.

These studies show interesting results. More research will help us understand the full range of benefits and potential risks of activated charcoal.

At Bulletproof, we take a holistic approach to health and wellness. That’s why we combine traditional knowledge and science when making our products. Doing so helps us ensure that our supplements are not only rooted in time-tested practices but also supported by the latest science.

Spotlight on Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal has a rich history in traditional medicine for its detoxifying properties. That’s part of the reason we offer this supplement. We also looked to science for evidence that activated charcoal can help rid the body of toxins and promote gut health.

We want you to have the tools you need to get the most out of your day. Our activated charcoal pills offer a convenient way to help you get gastrointestinal relief when you need it. They’re especially great for travel when it becomes harder to follow your usual routine.

But optimizing health is not only about supplements. It’s also about cultivating healthy eating habits. There’s no way around finding the right balance between supplements and eating a nutrient-rich diet to feel your best.

Our Supplement Testing Standards

At Bulletproof, we focus on the quality and safety of our supplements. We follow rigorous testing standards to ensure the highest level of product integrity. We conduct comprehensive testing throughout the manufacturing process. This starts with sourcing raw materials and ends with the final product.

Our supplements undergo thorough quality control measures. This includes third-party testing. We work with independent laboratories to verify potency, purity and absence of contaminants. We also use advanced science to assess how well our formulations work. We study their bioavailability and effectiveness. We uphold stringent testing standards. We do this so we can guarantee our supplements meet the highest quality and safety criteria. We provide you with products you can trust to support your health and wellness journey.