activated charcoal capsules

altairego21

ive been seeing how people use activated charcoal for bloating

does anybody have any success with eliminating bloat?
or is there any natural ‘remedies’ for bloating!

i tend to bloat really bad in my
upper stomach

HollyPFlax

Charcoal is used in the emergency room to absorb poison or toxins that a patient has ingested. You should only ingest it in a hospital setting, administered by a healthcare professional.

L1zardQueen

Are you gassy? Do you eat a lot vegetables? Do you drink soda? Chew gum? Those things make me gassy.

Vune

My natural remedy for bloat is chewing throroughly. Especially raw fruits and vegetables. Your mouth is where digestion starts, and chewing is free.

Activated charcoal also absorbs meds you ingest, so please don't just take it on your own.

Cherimoose

Since it's your upper belly, it could be gas caused by fermentation, in which case try avoiding high FODMAP foods.
Another option is to take Beano, an enzyme supplement that breaks down gas-causing carbs.
Not sure i would take charcoal.

lgfrie

I take them, for bloat caused by lactose or for too much vegetable or bean consumption, the latter of which unfortunately happens on my diet not infrequently. I find charcoal to be a useful part of the mix along with beano and Lactaid. For me, on its own charcoal "helps" but does not solve the bloat problem. I'd say it provides a 25 % reduction in bloat. Other measures are likely to be required beyond popping a charcoal.

My dr had no problem with the idea when I presented it--said it was inert and harmless--and I haven't had any side effects. That said, it is always wise to talk to your dr before ingesting anything that isn't a food. Especially if it's something you might be habitually using. There are a lot of other potential remedies, from popping a beano before meals to looking into enzyme pills (I had good success with those but prefer the simplicity of beano and Lactaid). I see charcoal as an "add on" not a main treatment for bloat.

Unlike charcoal, enzyme pills are something that can actually solve the whole bloat issue, but they come with many ingredients so you have to do your research. I carried a bottle of them into my annual exam and had my dr go over it. He said everything in the pills was fine. But there are many brands out there, so you want to research it carefully and work with your dr on it.

aokoye

If you are taking any other medications (including over the counter) you really need to let your doctor know that you're also taking activated charcoal.

SnifterPug

I have occasionally taken charcoal if I have an attack of wind that is actually painful. It helps. For regular bloating I would not bother.

Emmapatterson1729

I would be trying to figure out what is causing bloat. What foods are triggering discomfort?

I have a disease that causes severe bloat and pain. I tried charcoal and didn't find it helpful.

Things that have helped: garlic (raw or capsules), ginger (juice or tea-I prefer juice Ginger Soother, sold at Whole Foods for stomach problems), digestive enzymes including glutamine, a good probiotic after consuming ginger or garlic.

These are not cures; they are relieve the symptoms things. But still need to find underlying cause of bloat through medical care or medical elimination diet.

Good luck.

ExistingFish

HollyPFlax wrote: »

Charcoal is used in the emergency room to absorb poison or toxins that a patient has ingested. You should only ingest it in a hospital setting, administered by a healthcare professional.

Charcoal capsules are also sold OTC for gas and bloating.

They are in my medicine cabinet, along with GasX, Beano, and Latcose enzyme pills.

HollyPFlax

ExistingFish wrote: »

HollyPFlax wrote: »

Charcoal is used in the emergency room to absorb poison or toxins that a patient has ingested. You should only ingest it in a hospital setting, administered by a healthcare professional.

Charcoal capsules are also sold OTC for gas and bloating.

They are in my medicine cabinet, along with GasX, Beano, and Latcose enzyme pills.

Charcoal pills are considered a supplement and therefore are not regulated by the FDA. Not only does charcoal bond to certain poisons and toxins that are ingested, it can also bond to nutrients and cause deficiencies if taken too often. If taken with any medication, you run the risk of the charcoal absorbing the medication so your body cannot. This can happen with over the counter pain medications and things like antidepressants (2). I'll provide a link below from the Mayo Clinic, which explains proper dosage for taking charcoal(1). The only reason listed is for poison control. You should keep your GasX, Beano, and lactose pills because they have been clinically proven to be safe and effective. Charcoal has not been proven effective at stopping gas, but it is known to bind to things and carry them out of the body before they can be absorbed.

1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/charcoal-activated-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20070087

2) https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/activated-charcoal-uses-risks

neugebauer52

I just use beans and lentils for bloating...