What makes it active According to the National Capital Poison Control Center, "activated carbon is made by burning carbon-rich substances at high temperature. For example, carbon-rich materials, such as wood, coconut shells or coal, burn at high temperatures (600 to 900 degrees Celsius or110 to 1650 degrees Fahrenheit) to produce charcoal powder.
According to David O. Cooney's book "Activated Carbon: Antidotes, Drugs and Health Assistance" (TEACH Services, Inc., 20 16), charcoal powder is usually carbonized with some additional materials, such as chloride, which helps to produce a porous structure. Then use dilute acid solution to wash away excess substances, leaving pure carbon. Charcoal can be further treated to form a finer pore network, thereby increasing the surface area by exposing it to an oxidizing gas such as steam or carbon dioxide. "KDSP" and "KDSP" produced so much extra surface area during the activation process, that is, 50 grams of activated carbon (weighing about 20 pence). According to a study in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 20 16,
What are the benefits of activated carbon? According to poison control, health professionals will use activated carbon for patients who take some drugs too much or are poisoned. Fine powder is usually mixed with water or other liquids, and is drunk by patients or used to clear the gastrointestinal tract through feeding tubes as a substitute for gastric aspiration. "kdspe" and "kdsps" activated carbon play the role of sponge: toxin particles combine with the surface of activated carbon, making the toxin impossible to exist. Systemic absorption. This is best for toxins containing organic particles (preferably compounds containing carbon, usually combined with oxygen, hydrogen or nitrogen). Depending on the type of drug overdose or toxin, a single dose of activated carbon may be a very effective treatment if administered quickly enough. "KDSP" and "KDSP" poison control advise people not to try to use activated carbon at home to treat potential overdose or toxin intake. Most of the activated carbon provided on the counter is not as "active" as that provided in the emergency room, and it is not necessarily the best way to treat your disease.
Related: Five most toxic substances: from polonium to mercury.
According to the National Library of Medicine, there is little scientific evidence that activated carbon is effective for diseases such as high cholesterol, diarrhea or constipation, gas or indigestion, or that it can prevent hangover (activated carbon does not combine with alcohol) or promote wound healing.
No research shows that activated carbon should be eaten as part of a so-called "detox" diet, or if you are not poisoned. In fact, if you don't need it, eating it may be unhealthy. A study published in the Journal of Food Quality in 2007 found that activated carbon can eliminate healthy vitamins in apple juice.
Activated carbon is also common in water filtration systems, breathing masks and air filters. Just as it removes toxins from our bodies, activated carbon can attract and combine pollutants in water and air, including radon, fuel, solvents and many industrial and radioactive chemicals, and protect us from breathing or swallowing them. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Activated carbon can be used as an effective first aid for people who are poisoned or overdose. However, there is no scientific data to show that it is beneficial to use activated carbon in lemonade or any other food or drink that belongs to the normal diet. What's wrong with activated carbon? Activated carbon is now easily found in many over-the-counter health care and beauty products, including toothpaste. According to Benjamin Schwartz, most toothpastes containing charcoal wear tooth enamel unbelievably, which will make teeth highly sensitive, because tooth enamel will peel off and turn yellow, making it easier to decay teeth. He is a clinical assistant professor and dentist at Tullow School of Dentistry, New York Medical College.
Few clinical studies have outlined the long-term benefits of charcoal toothpaste. On the contrary, many studies show that long-term use of charcoal toothpaste will have long-term risks. In addition, most activated carbon toothpastes do not contain fluoride, which may even reverse the benefits of fluoride. Fluoride is a key component to prevent dental caries. For healthy teeth,
Activated carbon can be found in everything from shampoo and conditioner to facial cleanser and facial mask, claiming that it can absorb excess oil and other impurities. Although local use of activated carbon may be relatively safe, there is no clinical evidence to support the claim that activated carbon can eliminate cosmetic defects. According to a study published in Clinical Dermatology in 20 19,
Many companies publicize the existence of activated carbon in their products and claim that their products have antiviral, antibacterial or antifungal effects. But there is no scientific evidence that these products are good for health, Schwartz said.
"Charcoal does adsorb other minerals, so in theory, it can adsorb and inactivate bacteria or virus cells, but everyone is guessing to what extent." What prevents charcoal from inactivating healthy bacteria in the mouth? Schwartz said that if the idea of promoting activated carbon in toothpaste and other health and beauty products can be scientifically and magically confirmed, it will be a very big thing. If we can selectively crack down on micro-criminals with a toothpaste, it will be easier to win the fight against dental diseases! "
Other resources:
Learn more about the management of activated carbon under medical conditions from Mayo Clinic. The following is a summary of various previous and ongoing studies on the health effects of healthy but intelligent activated carbon. Observation: "Is it safe to eat activated carbon?" From Washington University School of Medicine.