Activated charcoal contraindications and side effects

Activated charcoal contraindications and side effects
Activated charcoal contraindications and side effects
Anonim

Activated carbon is a porous enterosorbent with high detoxification properties. Due to this, the drug is very popular, but in some cases it is recommended to refrain from using it. Let us consider in more detail the contraindications of activated carbon and the undesirable consequences of taking it.

activated charcoal contraindications
activated charcoal contraindications

What diseases and activated charcoal are incompatible?

With peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, activated charcoal is strictly contraindicated. The reason for this is that the drug stains the stool black. A similar color can also be observed with ulcerative bleeding, since in this case the feces mix with the blood digested in the intestines and take on the appearance of tar. Coal can mask the bleeding, and the time for first aid to the patient will be missed. For the same reason, you can not take coal for bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract of various etiologies. These contraindications for activated charcoal are notapply to other sorbents - "Smekta", "Enterosgel", "Polysorb". In case of individual intolerance caused by hypersensitivity to the drug, it is also necessary to stop taking it.

activated charcoal weight loss
activated charcoal weight loss

Side effects

Activated carbon has one significant drawback. Not possessing selectivity, it absorbs everything in a row - both toxins and useful substances. As a result of the absorption of useful vitamins, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, beriberi and metabolic disorders of the body can develop. To avoid this, it is recommended to take coal in short courses. To reduce the contact of the drug with useful substances, you should not combine the intake of coal with food. The gap should be at least an hour. The same rule applies to the combination of coal with other drugs (contraceptive, cardiac, vascular), as it reduces their effectiveness. And the simultaneous intake of coal with antitoxins, antidotes is unacceptable at all. Based on this, and taking into account the contraindications of activated charcoal, only a short course is recommended for poisoning and foodborne infections. Also, taking activated charcoal can provoke or increase constipation. In such cases, it will be more correct to regulate the stool with the help of laxative products (prunes, beets, kefir).

use of activated charcoal for weight loss
use of activated charcoal for weight loss

Is it possible to lose weight with activated charcoal?

Losing weight with activated charcoal is indeed possible, but not by much. MechanismThe action of the drug is based on reducing the calorie content of food due to the adsorption and excretion of fats. But there is a downside to this diet. Together with fats, vitamins and minerals necessary for the body are bound. As a result, along with the calorie content, the nutritional value of products is depleted. Therefore, the use of activated charcoal for weight loss is a controversial issue. Do not forget that this is a drug recommended for use in certain cases. When deciding on a “charcoal diet”, you need to take into account the contraindications of activated charcoal and the possible consequences for the body.

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