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Pretty interesting study on Activated Charcoal. It was found that 5% Activated Charcoal (I think that’s percentage of diet) could prevent weight gain on a high fat diet. Other metabolic markers improved, too.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9134190/
From the Discussion-
“The most intriguing finding of the initial study was that the BW (Bodyweight) gain in the mice treated with activated charcoal was significantly lower than in the HFD + Veh group, which was similar to that in the Con group, with no difference in food intake or thyroid function between the HFD + 5%C and HFD + Veh groups. Moreover, acidic activated charcoal significantly improved HFD-induced hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, WAT hypertrophy and intestinal length shortening and could reduce cecum volume to levels comparable to the Con group.”
While the mice were fed very high doses, this could still suggest a benefit to us humans. Say, if you are going to eat a meal with higher PUFA content with friends or family, Activated Charcoal might limit the absorption.
I’ve also been wondering if Pot Belly/Beer Belly/Wheat Belly/Whatever you want to call it might benefit from a longer term course of AC. It could be an alternative to antibiotics, or used with them, or with other “alterna” sorts of antibiotics/antimicrobials (like Flowers of Sulphur, or Biofilm disruptors). Maybe an 8-10 week course, taking AC two or three times a week. This study suggests it could be useful for such a purpose, as it noted it reduced some problematic microbiota produced byproducts in the HFD mice (like certain Bile Acids, but I’m sure serotonin and endotoxin would be right up there).
One other note, they created “Acidic” Activated Charcoal by soaking it in “acidic deep seawater.” A much easier way, if you happen to be mixing AC with water (which I do when I take it) is to add either some lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. I’m sure most of us have seen the apple cider vinegar trend. Maybe we can start our own…. ACVAC!
@Zack Vegas “While the mice were fed very high doses, this could still suggest a benefit to us humans. Say, if you are going to eat a meal with higher PUFA content with friends or family, Activated Charcoal might limit the absorption.”
I’m liking this idea! I am leery though of charcoal since RP was leery of it too. Is there a brand you think is safer than others?
From what I recall, Peat spoke mostly favorably of Activated Charcoal, but was leery of processing (which was true of most all supplements, and even some types of food), and the possibility of it binding too many useful vitamins and minerals. The second point is probably more of a concern with chronic long term use.
I’m currently using a brand called “Plant Guru,” which is made from coconut. It’s certainly one of the better ones I’ve used. No off tastes or smells, one did have the scent and taste of sulphur, this one does not.
I have been using 2 heaping tablespoons in water, usually that I’ve made Magnesium Carbonate with. I add the Mag water to help keep things regular, as charcoal can slow things down a bit (although I have noticed initial slowness in transit is usually followed by a bit of acceleration). I also tried adding apple cider vinegar last night, and that worked great. It was easier to drink than previously, and the taste was a bit better, too. I’ll probably keep doing that. That’s also in line with the idea of adding vinegar to the carrot salad, and how Haidut has suggested that AC can act similar to the carrot in taking antibiotic substances to the lower intestine (whether that be prescription antibiotics, coconut oil, Camphosal, so vinegar would be logical as well).
@Zack Vegas here are some RP quotes to your point…
“I have previously discussed the use of antibiotics (and/or carrot fiber and/or charcoal) to relieve the premenstrual syndrome, and have mentioned the study in which the lifespan was extended by occasionally adding charcoal to the diet. A few years ago, I heard about a Mexican farmer who collected his neighbors’ runt pigs, and got them to grow normally by adding charcoal to their diet. This probably achieves the same thing as adding antibiotics to their food, which is practiced by pig farmers in the US to promote growth and efficient use of food. Charcoal, besides binding and removing toxins, is also a powerful catalyst for the oxidative destruction of many toxic chemicals. In a sense, it anticipates the action of the protective enzymes of the intestinal wall and the liver.” -Ray Peat
“Besides avoiding foods containing fermentable fibers and starches that resist quick digestion, eating fibrous foods that contain antibacterial chemicals, such as bamboo shoots or raw carrots, helps to reduce endotoxin and serotonin. Activated charcoal can absorb many toxins, including bacterial endotoxin, so it is likely to reduce serotonin absorption from the intestine. Since it can also bind or destroy vitamins, it should be used only intermittently. Frolkis, et al. (1989, 1984) found that it extended median and average lifespan of rats, beginning in old age (28 months) by 43% and 34%, respectively, when given in large quantities (equivalent to about a cup per day for humans) for ten days of each month.” -Ray Peat
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