Intestinal gas? A remedy from activated carbon

Activated carbon has always been known as a remedy for numerous problems ranging from the reduction of hypercholesterolemia, to the treatment of poisoning up to the reduction of intestinal gas.

In general, activated carbon is non-toxic and safe to use, as it is not digested by humans in the gastrointestinal tract.

Activated carbon was once considered the universal antidote . Today it continues to be promoted as a powerful natural treatment.

But what is activated carbon?

Activated carbon is usually derived from carbon, which is then specially treated by heating with oxidizing gas or other products, in order to increase its degree of microporosity and surface area. The processing results in a highly porous carbon.

The small holes can give the coal a surface area of up to 1500 m 2 / g, allowing liquids or gases to pass through the coal and interact with the exposed carbon.

Different types of activated carbon are available in the market with various alleged properties and a wide range of reported applications.

For over-the-counter products, activated charcoal comes in several forms, e.g. in liquid, powder or granular form, in tablets, or capsules.

How does activated carbon work?

Activated charcoal works by trapping toxins and harmful chemicals in the intestines, preventing them from being absorbed.

The porous texture of coal has a negative electrical charge, which causes it to attract positively charged molecules, such as toxins and gases. This helps retain toxins and chemicals in the intestines.

Precisely because activated carbon is not absorbed, it binds toxins on its surface and eliminates them from the body through the feces.

But does it really reduce intestinal gas?

For lactose intolerant , sometimes the removal of the offending sugar is not enough to observe a decrease in intestinal disorders.

In this regard, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) intervened.

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims under Article 13 of Regulation (EC) n. 1924/2006.

This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to activated charcoal and the reduction of excessive accumulation of intestinal gas and the reduction of bloating .

The scientific substantiation is based on information provided by Member States in the Consolidated List of Health Claims in Article 13, and on references EFSA has received from Member States or directly from interested parties.

The Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the reduction of excessive accumulation of intestinal gas and that it is a beneficial physiological effect .

In evaluating the evidence, the group considered the results of three human intervention studies, which consistently demonstrated an effect of activated charcoal on reducing the amount of intestinal gas build-up .

Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of activated carbon with different methods (e.g. hydrogen breath test and number of flatus events) and in different populations (USA and India).

Based on the data presented, the study concluded that a cause and effect relationship was established between the consumption of activated charcoal and the reduction of excessive intestinal gas accumulation .

What are the symptoms associated with excessive intestinal gas?

The most common symptoms associated with intestinal gas are excessive belching, flatulence, bloating and abdominal distension. Unfortunately, few therapies have been shown to be effective in treating these symptoms.

Excessive belching can be treated by decreasing excessive swallowing of air.

Distension and swelling may improve in some patients by avoiding foods containing partially digested or absorbed polysaccharides, taking replacement enzymes (such as alpha-galactosidase or lactase), or taking antibiotics to alter colon flora.

Activated charcoal or prokinetic agents may also be effective options in some patients.

Other benefits of activated carbon

Activated charcoal (or charcoal) manifests a variety of benefits, let's see a few:

- Activated carbon in emergency poison treatment
Thanks to its toxin-binding properties, activated charcoal has a variety of medical uses.
For example, activated carbon is often used even in case of poisoning .
This is because it can bind a wide variety of drugs, reducing their effects. In humans, activated charcoal has been used as an antidote to poisons since the early 1800s.
It can be used to treat prescription drug overdoses, as well as overdoses of over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and sedatives.
It is important to note that activated charcoal is not effective in all cases of poisoning .
For example, it appears to have little effect on alcohol, heavy metal, iron, lithium, potassium, acid or alkali poisoning. Its use should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

- Activated carbon to promote kidney function
Activated charcoal can help promote kidney function.
This could be particularly useful in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease, a condition in which the kidneys can no longer properly filter waste products.
Healthy kidneys are normally very well equipped to filter blood without additional help. However, patients suffering from chronic kidney disease generally find it difficult to remove urea and other toxins from the body.
Activated charcoal may have the ability to bind to urea and other toxins, helping your body eliminate them.

- Activated carbon in the reduction of cholesterol levels
Activated charcoal can also help reduce cholesterol levels.
This is because it can bind cholesterol and cholesterol-containing bile acids in the gut, preventing the body from absorbing them.

- Activated carbon for water filtration :
activated carbon is a popular strategy for reducing the heavy metal and fluorine content in water. However, it does not appear to be very effective in removing viruses, bacteria or hard water minerals.

- Activated carbon for teeth whitening :
Apparently it does this by absorbing plaque and other tooth-coloring compounds. However, no studies could be found to support this claim.

- Activated carbon in the prevention of a hangover (alcohol) :
While alcohol consumption may reduce its blood levels, its effects on hangover have not been studied.
Does activated carbon make you lose weight? There is no scientific evidence that has shown this effect.

Any suggestions in cases where there is gas in the intestine.

• Patients must follow a low-carbohydrate diet in which they decrease the intake of legumes, starch, sorbitol, fructose, fiber and lactose. Patients who consume soy should opt for low-oligosaccharide soy products, which contain fewer fermentable carbohydrates than conventional soy. An unnecessarily restrictive diet can be difficult to maintain for an extended period of time and should be avoided.
• Excessive air swallowing can be a source of excessive intestinal gas. One way to avoid this is to chew your food thoroughly before swallowing it, eat and drink slowly, and avoid chewing gum.
• Those who recognize an excessive production of intestinal gas following the intake of milk and dairy products (including sausages, creams, sweets and ready-made products) can resort to diagnostic tests for lactose intolerance . If you test positive for lactose intolerance, don't despair! Today, there are lactase enzyme food supplements that can help you digest well even if you are lactose intolerant!

Bibliography

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