It is believed that activated carbon helps reduce “bad” cholesterol in the blood, but this is a myth, as Mikhail Bratus, therapist at the La Salute personal medicine clinic, told socialbites.ca.
“Activated charcoal does not “clean” blood vessels of cholesterol. This is a myth that has nothing to do with medicine or physiology because activated carbon does not penetrate the bloodstream. This is a drug from the enterosorbent group. It has an enterosorbing, detoxifying effect – in other words, it absorbs and removes toxins, as well as having an anti-diarrheal effect,” said the doctor.
According to him, enterosorbents are indicated for the following diseases: poisoning with drugs (psychotropic, sleeping pills, narcotics, etc.), alkaloids, heavy metal salts and other poisons, gastrointestinal diseases accompanied by indigestion and bloating, food and drug allergies.
“Even if we assume that charcoal collects cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract and prevents it from entering the bloodstream, this is still impossible. “The fact is that cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract is in the form of liposomal complexes, and these particles are so large that they cannot settle on the surface of activated carbon,” the doctor noted.
He emphasized that an increased level of “bad” cholesterol is an alarming marker in a blood test, in which case it is necessary to consult a doctor to prescribe treatment. It is not recommended to take activated carbon as a preventive measure.
“Activated carbon itself is not harmful, but we must understand that absolutely any substance can harm the body if not stored in reasonable amounts. If an overdose of activated carbon occurs, side effects may occur. For example, dyspepsia, heaviness, bloating and other unpleasant symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract, constipation, diarrhea, dark color of the stool. If you take activated charcoal uncontrolled for a long time, a person risks hypovitaminosis – impaired absorption of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract, “said the doctor.
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