Safe Weight Loss Using Activated Charcoal: Advice and Practical Practice

A decade ago, activated charcoal was considered a fairly effective way to combat excess weight. It was then replaced by appetite regulators and various dietary supplements. However, at a time when new drugs are becoming too expensive or being discontinued entirely, there is once again serious discussion around coal on the Internet. So, let’s find out how this drug works and whether it can actually help you get rid of those extra pounds at home.

helpful features

Activated charcoal is a medicinal product, not a fat burner. It won't be of much help to those who want to get rid of excess weight, but it will be helpful to those who need to seriously cleanse their bodies. Therefore, among the positive manifestations of taking the medicine, the most noticeable thing is not the "melted" centimeters or annoyances in the waist, but:

• Stability of the digestive tract.
• Removes toxins and other harmful substances from the body.
• Slightly slows down the skin aging process (due to increased fluid intake).
• Reduces blood cholesterol, thereby improving brain and cardiovascular system function and speeding up metabolism.
• Improves the function of the liver, adrenal glands, kidneys and many other internal organs.
• There is no precipitation, since the active ingredients of the drug are not absorbed, but are completely eliminated from the body within 8-10 hours after administration.
• Reduces the likelihood of staph infections, dysentery, and certain airborne illnesses such as the flu.

Instructions for use

For various diets (which we will consider in more detail below), it is only reasonable to use activated charcoal in combination with other methods. However, in medical reference books you can find indications for many other uses. So, those who suffer from:

• Metabolic disorders.
• Stomach problems, fermentation, flatulence, diarrhea.
• Consequences of severe drug withdrawal.
• Poisoning by alkaloids, heavy metal salts and other harmful substances.
• There are many causes of poisoning.

This is just a small sample of the situations where it can be very useful. However, do not forget that you can take this drug not only once, but only for a course with your doctor's approval, as you may have contraindications to taking the drug.

Contraindications

Although activated charcoal cleaning is widely available, not everyone should use it. In addition to personal intolerance, reasons for rejection may include:

• Vitamin deficiency or metabolic disorder.
• Dieters are either underage (under 14) or overage (over 65).
• Pregnancy and lactation in young mothers.
• Low blood pressure.
• There is a problem with the gastrointestinal tract: colitis, duodenal ulcer or any other problem.
• The patient is taking certain medications (such as antitoxins).
• Susceptible to constipation and bulimia, and intestinal flora imbalance.
• Internal bleeding (regardless of its source).

As you can see, drinking it isn't always beneficial. In some cases, it can even be harmful to health. Therefore, if you are planning to start using activated charcoal for weight loss, be sure to talk to your doctor first.

Is there any result?

Is charcoal effective as a weight loss tool? To find the answer to this question, let's look at the experiences of those who have personally tested these drugs. According to reviews, people managed to lose about 2-4 kg in two weeks without using additional methods (effective diet, physical activity). Moreover, the greater the initial weight of the dieter, the better the weight loss effect.However, let’s first figure out whether activated charcoal can really help you lose weight? Not really. It's just that when you start taking these pills, you increase your water intake accordingly. Because your stomach has been filled with water, you will eat less at the next meal. The result is weight loss. In other words, it is very possible to achieve the same effect in the same amount of time without taking activated charcoal. Drinking a glass of still water at room temperature about 20-30 minutes before meals is enough.But what this drug really does is cleanse the body. After the two-week course, many people noticed:

• Improves skin condition: blackheads and shine disappear.
• A feeling of lightness appears in the body.
• Stabilize intestinal function.

However, this only happens if you take your medication correctly. If you forget the dosage and follow the "more is better" principle when consuming, you may develop many complications.

Harm to the body

It seems like we’ve all known about charcoal since childhood – it’s an excellent remedy for intestinal problems and excessive gas formation. So what negative consequences can we talk about? Let’s remember that activated charcoal is first and foremost a pharmaceutical product. This means that its overdose or improper use is likely to cause harm to the body. This can be expressed as:

• vitamin deficiencies and vitamin deficienciesActivated charcoal is an excellent adsorbent that not only removes toxins from the body, but also nutrients.
• external deteriorationWith prolonged use, you can lose all the positive effects of "cleansing": clean skin will become dull and covered with acne, nails will become brittle, and hair will begin to fall out.
• constipateExcessive slowing of peristalsis can certainly lead to severe constipation, which is not far removed from diarrhea and hemorrhoids.
• Intestinal wall damageModerate use of this drug for two weeks does not cause any negative consequences. However, if you get too carried away, you're bound to have problems with your gastrointestinal tract.
• Reduce the effects of other medications you takeThe beneficial substances and antibodies contained in the tablets do not have a restorative effect on the body, but are actively eliminated together with toxins.
• Reduce blood pressure and thromboembolism

And all this only applies to perfectly healthy people. One can only guess how activated charcoal-based self-medication or "grandma's" formulas will impact those who already suffer from any chronic disease. But there is obviously no need to talk about improvements.Of course, the above does not mean that it is harmful to health. It’s just that the benefits are only apparent when taken correctly. The results may be completely different than what you expected.

Dosage and administration rules

So, which method of use can achieve the best results without causing irreparable damage? The exact course of treatment can only be prescribed by your treating physician who is familiar with your physical characteristics. Generally speaking, the admission rules are as follows:

• The course of treatment starts from 3 days and should not exceed 2 weeks (the same applies to a diet that includes taking the drug).
• The number of tablets that must be taken per day (at least 3 times) is calculated according to the following formula: 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. In other words, if you weigh 50 kg, you need to drink 5 pills a day, and if you weigh 113 kg, you need to drink 11 pills.
• The drug should be gradually incorporated into the daily menu. If your standard is 7 pills, it is best not to exceed 5 pills in the first 2-3 days and gradually increase the dose. The same applies to course completion.
• This dose is taken within one hour before or after a meal. But it is not advisable to drink it in the morning (when the stomach is still empty). It is best to drink it one hour after breakfast.
• After completing the course, be sure to take at least 2 weeks off.
• Take the tablets with still water boiled at room temperature. This will prevent various bacteria from entering the body and help the medicine work faster.
• At the end of your appointment, be sure to contact your doctor so he can prescribe you a course of multivitamins (to restore vitamin balance in the body).

Additionally, if you want to get the most benefit from taking activated charcoal, try following these tips:

• Reduce consumption of flour products and sugary foods.
• Avoid alcohol altogether.
• Eliminate dishes high in sugar, fat and harmful elements from your daily menu.
• Drink water (at least 1 liter per 30 kg of body weight, but a maximum of 2. 5 liters in total).
• Switch from coffee to light tea without any additives.
• Increase your physical activity and make sure your workouts (such as a morning workout, an evening jog, or a swim in the pool) provide a burst of energy and strength rather than leaving you completely exhausted.

Follow these simple rules and you will definitely benefit from using activated charcoal for weight loss. Even if not all the excess weight is gone, you'll feel much better than you did before the class started.

Reception changes

As already mentioned, many people begin actively taking medications in an attempt to lose weight. So let's look at the most popular methods and evaluate their effectiveness:

Option #1: Mild

Nature:Dieters' diets remained unchanged and no additional weight loss efforts were considered. Tablets should be taken 1. 5 hours - 1 hour before meals, 2 tablets at a time. Course duration varies from 10 days to two weeks.result:There will be no significant weight loss (up to 3-4 kg in 14 days). However (all else being equal), the centimeters lost are permanently lost, a feeling of lightness appears in the body, bowel function stabilizes, and daily activity levels increase significantly.

Option #2: Three Day Diet

Nature:Dieters adhere to a certain diet for three days. Additional physical activity is not considered but is not prohibited.

• first dayDuring the day, only activated charcoal, kefir, and water can be consumed. In addition, first take a few tablets (according to body weight), wash them down with a glass of warm water, and half an hour later - a glass of kefir. If you are used to eating more than three meals a day, you must reduce the portion size and number of tablets. In this case, the rest period between meals should be at least 2-3 hours.
• the next dayThe current "menu list" is exactly the same as yesterday's menu, but with one difference. Kefir is replaced with apples at a ratio of one apple per cup.
• The third dayOn this day, the diet remains the same, but instead of kefir you will eat a green salad with olive oil dressing or steamed vegetables without salt.

result:This diet is one of the fast diets so you can lose up to 5 kg. However, the menu's rejection of products is quite sudden and aggressive, which won't suit everyone. When you lose weight, you may experience severe headaches, weakness, and loss of appetite (which may even lead to weight gain). Therefore, you should not engage in this diet when you are on your period or doing anything that requires concentration.If such a diet comes easily to you, you can continue the course and extend it to 15 days. However, you should stop taking activated charcoal, and at the end of the diet, be sure to take a multivitamin.

Option #3: Two-week Activated Charcoal Diet

Nature:Over the course of 14 days, dieters eat in a pattern designed to gradually reduce hunger. At the same time, 30-60 minutes before meals (except for the second breakfast), he takes activated charcoal (2 tablets) with a glass of warm still water. Additional physical activity was not considered when assessing effectiveness.first day:

• Breakfast: One serving (0. 2 kg) of boiled oatmeal and a cup of green or black tea without additives. If desired, you can flavor the porridge with raisins and also have some bread and a slice of thin cheese with tea.
• Second breakfast: A cup of low-fat kefir.
• Lunch: broth made from lean meat (veal or chicken) and 0. 2 kg of boiled vegetables.
• Dinner: Fresh fruit salad, dressed with a tablespoon of sour cream or homemade yogurt.

the next day:

• Breakfast: Boiled buckwheat, a boiled egg, and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: apple, kiwi or small banana.
• Lunch: vegetable soup and 0. 15 kg of cod, baked in its own juices without any added spices.
• Dinner: apples and 0. 2 kg of cheese, with a fat content not exceeding 7%.

Day three:

• Breakfast: a plate of freshly cooked rice and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: two small fruits of your choice.
• Lunch: Steamed chicken (0. 2 kg) and vegetable salad with low-fat sour cream.
• Dinner: Vegetable casserole and a cup of tea.

Day 4:

• Breakfast: A plate of oatmeal with low-fat milk, a cup of tea and a handful of raisins.
• Second breakfast: cucumber and two hard-boiled eggs.
• Lunch: A bowl of lean fish soup. The consumption of the fish itself does not exceed 0. 1 kilogram.
• Dinner: cheese and a banana.

Day 5:

• Breakfast: 1 medium tomato, a sandwich (bread + sliced cheese) and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: 0. 05 kg of cheese and a glass of low-fat milk. You can add a few loaves of bread if desired.
• Lunch: vegetable soup cooked in broth and 0. 1 kg of lean meat.
• Dinner: Fresh vegetable salad.

Day six:

• Breakfast: Buckwheat porridge (no additives), one hard-boiled egg, and one cucumber.
• Second breakfast: a cup of low-fat kefir and a small fruit of your choice.
• Lunch: low-fat broth (0. 2 kg) and cucumber.
• Dinner: cottage cheese (0. 1 kg), seasoned with a tablespoon of homemade yogurt (without additives).

Day seven:

• Breakfast: milk oatmeal, 0. 1 kg of homemade yogurt, and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: a cup of kefir.
• Lunch: vegetable casserole and 0. 1 kg of lean meat.
• Dinner: Green salad with homemade yogurt.

Day 8:

• Breakfast: two cucumbers, two sandwiches with low-fat cheese and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: two small fruits of your choice.
• Lunch: chicken soup and vegetable casserole 0. 1 kg.
• Dinner: Two cucumbers and a serving of boiled mussels.

ninth day:

• Breakfast: boiled rice and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: a cup of kefir and an apple.
• Lunch: One serving of low-fat borscht, 0. 1 kg of boiled chicken breast.
• Dinner: Cucumber and tomato salad and 0. 2 kg of boiled shrimp.

Day 10:

• Breakfast: 2 baked apples, a piece of cheese and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: a cup of kefir and bread.
• Lunch: A plate of lean fish soup.
• Dinner: steamed vegetables.

Day 11:

• Breakfast: cucumber, sandwich (bread + thin slices of boiled chicken breast) and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: a glass of fermented roasted milk and an apple.
• Lunch: A bowl of low-fat chicken soup.
• Dinner: vegetable salad and 0. 1 kg of cheese.

Day 12:

• Breakfast: a piece of cheese, two cucumbers, a boiled egg and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: two small fruits of your choice.
• Lunch: A plate of low-fat borscht and 0. 1 jin of stewed mushrooms.
• Dinner: Boiled chicken breast (0. 1 kg) and vegetable salad.

Day 13:

• Breakfast: Buckwheat porridge, a boiled egg, and a cup of tea.
• Second breakfast: small fruit of your choice.
• Lunch: a plate of vegetable soup and 0. 15 kg of cod, baked in its own juices without any added spices.
• Dinner: apples and 0. 2 kg of cheese, with a fat content not exceeding 7%.

Day 14:

• Breakfast: a portion of oatmeal, boiled in water, a cup of tea. If desired, you can flavor the porridge with raisins and also have some bread and a slice of thin cheese with tea.
• Second breakfast: A cup of low-fat kefir.
• Lunch: One portion of low-fat broth and 0. 2 pounds of stew.
• Dinner: Fruit salad, dressed with a tablespoon of sour cream or homemade yogurt.

result:Since this diet is classified as moderate, you can stick to it even as your daily activities increase. In two weeks, with its help you can lose about 5-7 kg, (if you adhere to a similar menu, but without coal) without losing weight again in the future.

Black or White: Choosing the "Right" Coal

Today, there are many types of medications. So, if before you could only buy black activated charcoal in pharmacies, today pharmacists also offer white charcoal tablets. Advertisements for trendy new products promised buyers that the effects would be mild, that they would only remove toxins from the body, and that long-term (more than two weeks) treatment would be acceptable.The only problem is that the instructions for use of both drugs are almost identical, and the nanobots (which can reliably determine which elements are harmful to the body and which are helpful) are not included in the white coal. Moreover, if traditional black coal is a penny more expensive, then the price of white coal is several times higher. Whether such a "game" outweighs the gains and losses, everyone can judge for themselves.Let’s summarize the above. Practice has proven that activated charcoal is ineffective for weight loss. With its help you can lose up to 2-3 kg without the help of other solutions (diet, exercise). In this case, an overdose of the drug may cause serious problems in the body. However, if you need to cleanse your body quickly, for example after a feast, you won't find a better solution. Plus, it's always available and cheap.