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Activated Charcoal Effect on Vitamins

Both activated charcoal and vitamin supplements can be beneficial to the body. Yet when both are taken together, one can actually reduce the other's effectiveness.

  1. What is Activated Charcoal?

    • Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is carbon that is processed to make it very porous. It is used in emergency rooms to treat medicine overdose and poisoning, and by natural health advocates to absorb toxins and harmful substances from the body as a form of detoxification.

    Effects

    • When activated charcoal is taken, it acts as a sponge to absorb foreign substances from the stomach.

    When Taken With Vitamins or Medication

    • In addition to harmful substances, activated charcoal can reduce the effectiveness of a vitamin supplement or medication. Therefore, activated charcoal should be taken by itself.

    When To Take It

    • When taking activated charcoal, take it two hours before or after you take a vitamin supplement.

    Side Effects

    • The side effects of activated charcoal are possible diarrhea, with rare occurrences of constipation, stomach swelling or pain, and vomiting.

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