Summary
Nurse practitioner Michelle Broad walks through activated charcoal from a medical provider's perspective. She covers what it is (a porous carbon made from coconut shells and nut husks), its original medical use for poisoning and drug overdoses, and the various ways people now use it for health and beauty. The episode details teeth whitening with charcoal, skincare and hair applications, its use for gas and bloating (referencing the Journal of Gastroenterology), and claims about hangover prevention. She emphasizes safety precautions including drug interactions, the risk of nutrient malabsorption from daily use, and the importance of drinking plenty of water when ingesting charcoal capsules.
Key Points
- Activated charcoal is processed carbon, typically from coconut shells, that traps toxins so the body stops absorbing them
- Originally used in trauma centers for drug overdoses and poisoning alongside stomach pumping
- Can help balance pH in the mouth and absorb plaque for teeth whitening, though results vary
- Taking charcoal before gas-producing meals works better than after, per the Journal of Gastroenterology
- Mixed study results on hangover prevention; some show lower blood alcohol effects, others show no difference
- Daily ingestion can cause nutrient malabsorption since charcoal binds vitamins and medications indiscriminately
- Side effects include black stools, constipation (from insufficient water), diarrhea, and vomiting at high doses
- Should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical guidance, and never given to children without a pediatrician
Key Moments
What activated charcoal is and where it comes from
Michelle Broad explains that activated charcoal is a processed carbon powder typically made from coconut shells and nut husks. Its key property is trapping toxins in the body so they can be flushed out. Before becoming a beauty trend, it was used in trauma centers for drug overdoses and alcohol poisoning.
"best known to trap the toxins that are in your body so that they can be drawn out or flushed through other means in order for your body to stop absorbing them. So it's used to like, you know, to draw out impurities."
Teeth whitening with activated charcoal
Activated charcoal can balance pH in the mouth and absorb plaque that causes staining. Michelle recommends using a dedicated toothbrush since the charcoal stains everything, and shares her preference for Hello brand charcoal toothpaste combined with coconut oil.
"The main benefit to using this type of charcoal powder is that it can actually balance the pH level in your mouth. This not only helps to remove stains, but it can help the general overall oral health that you may be having."
Using charcoal for gas and bloating
Referencing the Journal of Gastroenterology, Michelle explains that activated charcoal capsules can help with gas and bloating. She emphasizes taking it before a gas-producing meal rather than after, and drinking plenty of water since the powder can become thick and clay-like inside the body.
"it is typically better that you take the product or the active in charcoal capsules before a meal or food that's going to produce the gas rather than trying to take them after you've eaten something that's going to cause gas."
Side effects and safety precautions
Michelle warns that activated charcoal binds not just toxins but also beneficial nutrients and medications. Daily ingestion can lead to malabsorption. Side effects include black stools, constipation from insufficient water intake, diarrhea, and vomiting at high doses. It should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding without medical clearance.
"While it does stop toxins, it could also keep good nutrients from being absorbed in your body as well. Too much activated charcoal in your body could actually make you ill from malabsorption. So it's best to use it only when absolutely necessary."
