Activated Charcoal?

[Gianni]

Has anyone supplemented activate charcoal for treatment of gas/cramps/toxins etc?

Activated charcoal supposedly will attract positive ionic charged toxins, anti-nutrients and other wastes. We do not want the positively charged elements but rather the negatively charged. If the theory is correct then it certainly seems like it could be of great use for Crohn's sufferers.

Apparently there is a longterm study currently being done on charcoal and its effect on inflammatory diseases including IBD. This study is being conducted by a Dr. Kenneth Kenigsberg although let it be known that he currently has a patent pending on a charcoal "cocktail" pill.

Eastern medicine utilizes charcoal when dealing with gastrointestinal problems and is nearly prescribed as much as tums over there.

I'm just curious if anyone has tried activate charcoal and what their experience was.

Thanks,
Gianni

 

[D Bergy]

I bring it along when we travel for any food poisoning or travelers Diarhea that comes up. I have not had to use it but I have given it to others we have travelled with who get intestinal trouble.

I have not used it regularly or as a Crohns treatment.

Dan

 

[mnsun]

I periodically use a product by Allergy Research called Gastro Cleanse which combines Vit C, Magnesium, pectin, psillium, and activated charcoal. I just use it as an intermittent detox type supplement.

I usually don't do the whole 4 caps 3 times a day, and I would advise caution to those with active inflamation. I never had a bad experience, but it just seems like a pretty rough "fiber", and it is visible post-digestion.

 

[pineappleheart]

I remember as a child (before I was ever diagnosed with Crohns) I always had a sort of sensitive stomach and my dad would break activated charcoal tabs and put them in yogurt or applesauce for me and it always seemed to do the trick. It definitely helped my gas and bloating then. I haven't thought about it in quite a long time, but it would be interesting to experiment with again. You would just have to be careful not to do it too often as it can absorb good vitamins and minerals along with the bad I think.