10 Health 09/27/2018
Dear readers, we all know very well about black activated carbon. But did you know that along with it, there is also white activated carbon, which is better in its properties than black? So what's so great about it?
Let's figure out how white charcoal differs from activated black charcoal and whether there are any rules for using this product, which is new to many. I give the floor to Evgenia Nabrodova, a doctor of the highest category. She will tell you how to properly take white activated carbon and the main differences from black.
There are situations when you ate something wrong or there is something wrong with your digestion, so the first thing you need to do is take an enterosorbent. It will collect everything harmful and unnecessary, remove it from the body and make you feel better.
The term “enterosorbent” comes from the word “sorbens”, which means absorbent. The active substances of coal have the ability to bind exogenous and endogenous compounds, dangerous waste structures in the gastrointestinal tract and remove them from the body. This definitely has a positive effect on the general condition of the body and helps slow down cell aging.
Even in ancient times, healers from Egypt and Greece used clay and charcoal as an enterosorbent and used them in the treatment of poisoning, intestinal infections, dysentery and jaundice.
The famous Avicenna put cleansing of the body in third place out of the 7 postulates of healing. With the advent of antibiotics, interest in natural sorbents has noticeably decreased, and this is completely unfounded, since antibacterial drugs can destroy infectious pathogens, but they do not free the body from poisons, toxins, dead bacteria and the consequences of infections. White activated carbon is a modern enterosorbent that has many advantages.
Some facts
Food poisoning is a fairly common disease, which is often accompanied by digestive tract disorders.
The main factor in the development of this disease is pathogenic microbes that enter the human body along with food. The most common pathogens encountered in medical practice that cause acute poisoning are E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. A favorable environment for their reproduction is products that have expired or have gross violations of storage conditions.
Another cause of digestive dysfunction can be alcohol poisoning, which today occupies a leading position among household intoxications in Russia. Statistics show that about 60% of people who were poisoned by ethanol did not have time to receive medical help, which led to death.
The modern pharmacological industry has proven its effectiveness and power by developing a new generation enterosorbent - White Coal Active. It is a dietary supplement that differs from the usual black coal in composition, but also in clinical properties.
The drug has a gentle effect on the body and helps neutralize a large number of toxins. It is an auxiliary source of dietary fiber, therefore it safely and effectively cleanses the body during household intoxications.
Indications for use
White Coal tablets are recommended to be taken as a stand-alone remedy for food poisoning, or as part of complex therapy. The main indications for prescribing the drug are:
- food poisoning;
- intoxication of the body due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- poisoning with strong toxic substances;
- allergic reactions of various origins;
- acute intestinal infection;
- intestinal dysbiosis.
White coal is often included in the treatment of kidney and liver failure, various forms of hepatitis, and relief from intestinal infections. The tablets help to establish metabolic processes in the body, which allows them to be used for weight loss.
Composition and beneficial properties
Silicon dioxide has a significant sorption capacity, which makes it possible to absorb many toxic substances. Relying on the principle of adsorption, the substance is capable of eliminating toxic products represented by infectious allergens, chemicals and microbial endotoxins.
In addition, silicon dioxide has a positive effect on the movement of substances from the blood into the gastrointestinal tract, including alkaloids, heavy metal salts, glycosides, barbiturates, ethanol, organochlorine compounds, serotonin, histamine and end products of protein breakdown.
During detoxification, the substance allows you to reduce the metabolic load on organs that are natural filters in the body, namely the liver and kidneys. In addition, it is able to correct metabolic processes, eliminate imbalances of biologically active substances, improve lipid metabolism, and normalize cholesterol levels.
Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) refers to dietary fiber obtained from plant fiber. The substance, in its biochemical characteristics, is similar to natural cellulose, which is of natural origin and found in food products.
The main function of the MCC is to carry out absorbent and mechanical action. It is not crushed in the esophagus and does not dissolve in liquid. The substance promotes the absorption and removal from the body of microbial toxins, heavy metals, breakdown products and free radicals.
It should be noted that the substance can mechanically cleanse the mucous membrane of the small intestine, which certainly leads to improved digestion of the final products of nucleic acids and its absorption.
White coal Active acts as a dietary supplement (BAA), having a positive effect on the functional state of the gastrointestinal tract.
The combined use of White Coal Active tablets with drugs from other pharmacological groups can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the active substances of the enterosorbent.
This medication has a different composition from activated carbon. It is based on a substance called silicon dioxide, which gives the drug its white color. It removes excess intestinal gases, gastric juice, bacterial and food allergens, chemical and microbial toxins, and protein breakdown products from the body.
As an additional component, the tablets contain microcrystalline cellulose isolated from plant fiber. It does not dissolve in the intestines, but collects toxins, breakdown products, and free radicals on its surface. This helps improve parietal digestion in the small intestine and helps remove stagnation of the food bolus. Thanks to these components, the drug has a number of advantages:
- Does not damage the gastrointestinal mucosa and improves its functional state.
- Provides a quick therapeutic effect.
- Non-toxic and absolutely safe for use.
- Affects the reduction of symptoms of allergic reactions.
- Does not cause constipation, stimulates intestinal motility, promoting rapid elimination of toxins.
- It has a much lower daily dose than activated carbon, which is 4 grams and is based on the greater sorption capacity of the drug.
- Does not require grinding, but in the form of a suspension it has a higher degree of efficiency.
- Does not cause allergic reactions.
- Does not contain any flavoring additives and has a neutral taste.
- It is not harmful when used for many months, does not cause hypovitaminosis, due to its selective action.
- Effective in small doses.
- It has several forms of release (tablets, powder to create a suspension).
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The active ingredients of White Coal promote adsorption from the gastrointestinal tract and removal from the body of endo- and exogenous toxic substances of various etiologies, including food/bacterial allergens and waste products of pathogens.
Also, the dietary supplement indirectly helps to correct the immune status and metabolic processes, reduce the severity of toxic-allergic reactions and metabolic load on organs and detoxification systems (mainly the kidneys and liver), and enhance intestinal motility without causing constipation.
White charcoal is a more effective remedy for food poisoning than black activated charcoal. Studies have shown that it is enough to take just one tablet for the necessary cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract of toxins. If you add gastric lavage to therapy, you can get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of food poisoning in a short period of time.
Due to the adsorbing properties of the dietary supplement White Coal, simultaneous use of the product with other medications leads to a significant decrease in their therapeutic effectiveness.
Contraindications
One of the main contraindications is gastrointestinal bleeding. You can recognize them by dark vomit, black stool and other signs. When they appear, you should not self-medicate, but immediately seek professional medical help.
Contraindications include:
- Peptic ulcers, since sorbents can lead to greater damage to the mucous membrane;
- Intestinal obstruction: Toxins and waste will not remain in the body until the cause is eliminated.
The product should not be taken by children and pregnant women. For them, it is better to use black activated carbon or drugs prescribed by doctors.
Reviews about the effectiveness of the drug
Patients may experience an allergic reaction to the active components of the dietary supplement. If skin rash, itching, irritation or redness occurs, it is recommended to stop taking the drug and undergo a course of therapy using an anti-allergenic agent.
In medical practice there is no information about the side effects of White Coal.
Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.
Side effects
White activated carbon not only absorbs and removes toxins from the body, but also absorbs beneficial microelements and vitamins, so with its long-term use side effects may occur:
- hypovitaminosis;
- anemia;
- calcium deficiency;
- metabolic disease;
- dyspeptic symptoms: constipation, diarrhea, bloating.
The risk of side effects increases when there are contraindications to the use of the drug or the person has taken too much of the drug. If side effects occur, you should stop taking the medication and consult a doctor if necessary.
Which activated carbon is better, black or white?
This question arises for everyone who learns about the existence of an analogue of the usual activated carbon, which is the most common drug taken for poisoning. But modern medicine offers a more convenient and effective option. Silicon dioxide contained in white coal has a high adsorption capacity, and its tablets do not require grinding. This provides the additional advantage of convenience and a smaller amount of the drug required for use compared to activated carbon.
During intoxication of the body, it is necessary to take a sorbent that will quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of poisoning. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and headache will go away faster after consuming charcoal. Activated - you need to drink in large doses, but it will help strengthen the stool faster in case of food poisoning. White – more effectively detoxifies the body from alcohol, quickly relieving headaches, and the dosage of this drug is several times less.
For allergies
In case of unpleasant manifestations of allergic reactions (hives, pain in the eyes, swelling, runny nose, sneezing, coughing), you need to drink an adsorbent drug that will instantly cleanse the body of toxic substances. Therapy should be comprehensive in conjunction with antihistamines prescribed by a doctor.
For weight loss
Adsorbents will be good helpers for weight loss. They help cleanse the body of waste and toxins. In the evening, take a dose of the drug according to the instructions, and the next day drink a lot of water, herbal teas, and compotes. Such fasting days will help you gradually lose weight. The problem is that the drugs used absorb not only harmful substances, but also useful ones, depriving a person of essential vitamins, minerals, and fats.
By absorbing the elements necessary for the body, activated carbon leads to vitamin deficiency, and its modern colleague based on silicon dioxide has a lesser ability to absorb useful substances, absorbing mostly toxins. This is an advantage when using the drug for weight loss. When cleansing the body with any adsorbent, it is necessary to additionally take multivitamins to eliminate the likelihood of their deficiency.
During pregnancy
Silicon dioxide-based charcoal should not be used during pregnancy, according to the instructions. It is better to replace it with an activated one, which will help get rid of frequent gas formation, colic, and indigestion. But if the expectant mother has a tendency to constipation, black coal should be taken with caution.
The dose of the adsorbent substance for the child’s body is calculated according to the child’s weight. For infants, sorbents are recommended in the form of a suspension, which is prepared from white or activated carbon. Both drugs are sold in powder form for suspension. But the sorption capacity of white carbon is much higher than that of activated carbon, which will help quickly relieve the baby from painful sensations. Black coal is given to children at the rate of 0.05 g of the drug per kg of body weight; it should be taken 3 times a day, two hours before or after meals.
During pregnancy or breastfeeding, the use of White Coal is prohibited.
Hypersensitivity reactions to White Coal may occur.
- 1 tablet contains – main substances: amorphous silicon dioxide – 210 mg, microcrystalline cellulose – 208 mg; Excipient: dextrose - 157 mg; Leavening agent: croscarmellose sodium - 97 mg;
- Anti-caking agents: pharmacopoeial talc - 21 mg, magnesium stearate - 7 mg.
In a place protected from light at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Individual intolerance to components, children under 14 years of age, pregnancy and lactation, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in the acute stage, ulcers and erosions of the intestinal mucosa, gastric and intestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction.
Silicon dioxide has a high sorption capacity (the amount of a substance that a sorbent can absorb per unit of its mass).
Binds by adsorption and removes from the body:
- toxins coming from outside (including waste products of pathogenic microorganisms, food and bacterial allergens, microbial toxins, chemicals),
- toxic products that are formed in the body (during the breakdown of proteins in the intestines), excess gastric juice and hydrochloric acid formed in the stomach, and gases in the intestines.
Promotes transport from the internal environment of the body (blood, lymph) into the gastrointestinal tract and the removal of a variety of toxic products, including:
- alkaloids, glycosides, salts of heavy metals, organophosphorus and organochlorine compounds, barbiturates, ethyl alcohol and its metabolic products,
- biologically active substances associated with the processes of allergy and inflammation (prostaglandins, serotonin, histamine),
- metabolic products of proteins (urea, creatinine, residual nitrogen), lipids.
Silicon dioxide helps reduce the metabolic load on the detoxification organs (primarily the liver and kidneys), eliminate the imbalance of biologically active substances in the body, correct metabolic processes and immune status, improve lipid metabolism indicators, such as the level of cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids.
Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is dietary fiber isolated from plant fiber; its properties are close to natural cellulose, which is found as a natural component in food products. MCC, like other dietary fibers, acts on the human body in two ways: sorption and mechanical. MCC is insoluble in water and does not undergo breakdown in the human digestive tract.
MCC sorbs on its surface and removes heavy metals, free radicals, microbial toxins, decay products from the body, and also binds excess gastric juice and hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and bile acids, bilirubin, cholesterol in the intestines, thereby reducing the aggressiveness of gastric juice and bile.
In the small intestine, MCC mechanically cleanses its mucous membrane, which leads to improved parietal digestion and absorption function of the intestine. After taking MCC, the absorption and assimilation of food, medications, vegetables and fruits becomes more complete.
By irritating the intestinal receptors, MCC enhances its peristalsis, due to which the stagnation of the food bolus (chyme) is eliminated.
White Coal is recommended as a biologically active food supplement - an additional source of dietary fiber - enterosorbents to improve the functional state of the gastrointestinal tract. The recommended daily dose provides from 1.8 to 3.2 g of dietary fiber, which is from 9% to 16% of the daily value human needs.
Use for adults and children aged 14 years and older - 3-4 tablets 3-4 times a day between meals, 1 hour before meals, with drinking water. Consult a doctor before use. Not a medicine.
Crushing or chewing the tablets increases the efficiency of sorption, but is not necessary.
Enterosorbent is used strictly following the instructions for use. It can help in case of deterioration of health associated with the development of the following ailments:
- acute infectious diseases;
- deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract;
- household bacterial or alcohol poisoning;
- stomach upset;
- dysbacteriosis;
- hepatitis A;
- immunopathological processes;
- dermatitis of endogenous intoxication;
- renal or liver failure.
Children, pregnancy and breastfeeding
For a long time, activated black carbon has occupied a stable position among the best sorbents, which is used both to improve health and for the purpose of losing weight and cleansing the intestines.
However, despite all the beneficial properties that the drug has, a similar product with greater effectiveness has been developed to replace it.
White coal was developed by Ukrainian pharmacologists, who position it as a safer, milder drug compared to classic black coal.
In appearance, white coal appears as tablets of the usual size and color corresponding to the name. This product acquires a white color because a significant amount of starch is added to it during production.
The drug contains two active substances, thanks to which it is highly effective:
- MCC (microcrystalline cellulose);
- Silica.
MCC is a waste product resulting from textile production. Today, MCC is taken as an independent drug that can help lose weight and also cure certain diseases (for example, diabetes).
In addition to the fact that the product effectively cleanses the body of toxins, toxic substances and feces, it can imitate the feeling of satiety. It is this property that helps cellulose fibers cope with excess weight.
Silicon dioxide is a colorless crystalline powder that is often used in manufacturing as a preservative.
In moderate quantities, silicon dioxide has a beneficial effect on the body, effectively cleansing the intestines.
The substance does not linger in the body and is not absorbed by it, but is released naturally.
White coal is in many ways similar to its black counterpart, but it has its own advantages:
- Black coal, despite its effectiveness in cleansing the body, removes from it not only harmful substances, but also substances necessary for normal functioning. For example, proteins, carbohydrates and fats, as well as many trace elements and vitamins. White - has a selective property. It both absorbs and removes toxic substances, but leaves the necessary ones in the cells;
- To get results, you need to eat a fairly decent amount of black coal, while white coal concentrates more beneficial properties in one tablet. So, 2 white tablets will be more effective than a handful of black ones.
You can purchase white coal at any city pharmacy, as well as by ordering the drug on the Internet. Available without a doctor's prescription in two forms: tablets and bottles of powder. The price varies from 100 to 150 rubles (for 10 tablets)
The drug is taken both as a prophylaxis and for the treatment of certain diseases:
- Alcohol poisoning;
- Food poisoning;
- Endogenous dermatitis;
- Dysbacteriosis;
- Intestinal infection;
- Kidney failure (chronic);
- Liver failure;
- Helminthiasis;
- Hepatitis form A or B.
As noted earlier, the product is available in two forms. The daily intake primarily depends on age.
Tablets are used from 7 years of age, 3 pieces 3 times a day.
The powder contained in the bottles is dissolved with boiled, cooled water: 1 bottle per 250 ml.
After which the mixture should be shaken to obtain a homogeneous liquid. It can be used by children from 1 year of age:
- Up to 2 years – 2 teaspoons of powder for dissolution;
- From 3 to 4 years – 1 tbsp. spoon;
- From 5 to 6 years – 2 tbsp. spoons;
- From 7 years – 2.5 tbsp. spoons.
You should know how to use the drug correctly to improve your health:
- White coal is used 1 hour before each meal;
- It is advisable to crush the tablets. Thus, their effectiveness can be increased;
- Children, the elderly, pregnant women and those suffering from allergies should consult a doctor before use;
- It is important for diabetics to know that one tablet of white charcoal contains 0.26 g of sucrose;
- The water for dissolving the powder must be boiled but cooled;
- You should take the tablets for no more than 3 days. It is important that the diet is varied and balanced;
- It is not advisable to use the drug as a means of losing weight. So, there will be a need to drink it for more than 3 days, and this can lead to vitamin deficiency.
Contraindications
You should not take white charcoal in the following cases:
- Pregnancy;
- Breastfeeding period;
- Intestinal obstruction;
- Gastrointestinal ulcer;
- Duodenal ulcer;
- Intestinal erosion;
- Allergy to individual components.
These contraindications apply only to certain stages of the disease. To be sure that you should not take the drug for treatment, it is advisable to visit the appropriate doctor.
In some cases, he may allow the use and also prescribe individual doses.
For example, the drug can sometimes be used during pregnancy and lactation.
Side effects
As you use the tablets, the following ailments may occur:
- Hypovitaminosis;
- Failure to absorb nutrients into the body.
These side effects occur when the drug is used irrationally, as well as when the duration of use is not observed.
Therefore, it is important to read the instructions for use before prescribing the drug yourself.
The drug should not be used along with other medications. This is not so much a health hazard as it reduces the effectiveness of coal in fighting diseases.
It is especially not recommended to drink it in combination with other medications for food or alcohol poisoning.
Reviews
To summarize, it can be noted that reviews of white coal are in most cases positive. Some people complain of ailments after use, which are associated with long or irrational use of the product.
White coal literally saved me from severe food poisoning. While visiting for a holiday, I ate a large amount of pickled mushrooms with garlic, as I am very partial to this dish.
The next morning I could not get out of bed due to severe pain that simply stifled my insides. I was lucky that my dad was a doctor and immediately gave me advice: drink a lot of clean water and take white charcoal.
Tatiana, Beloretsk
I decided to give myself a colon cleanse in order to lose some weight and also remove harmful substances from the body. I pursued the latter because I wanted to get rid of acne. Along with the fruit and vegetable diet, I started drinking plenty of fluids and white charcoal tablets.
My friends told me that it is more gentle than black, but still brings more benefits. I decided that I would drink more than I should, and if I saw side effects, I would stop. A week later I assessed the results. The skin has noticeably cleared up, and discomfort during the digestion of any food has disappeared.
It didn’t help me lose weight, maybe I just needed to drink longer, but I didn’t take the risk.
Irina, Korsakov
Friends recommended white charcoal to remove various nasty things from the body. I used to drink black charcoal from time to time, but they insisted that white does the job much better and is of higher quality. I didn't appreciate the result. I didn't feel anything at all. After black, I noticed improvements in my well-being within a couple of days, but after a week there was no effect.
Ivan, Svetlograd
It turns out that white coal still has a number of advantages over its counterpart:
- Does not remove nutrients from the body;
- Contains a high concentration of active substances in one tablet;
- Suitable for the prevention and treatment of various diseases;
- Actively cleanses the body;
- Has 2 release forms.
For children
Children under 7 years old are recommended to take White Coal in a dosage of 2 tablets (from 3 to 4 years old) and 3 tablets (from 5 to 7 years old) 3 times a day. Children over 7 years of age are allowed to take the drug in dosages corresponding to dosages for adult patients. White coal is contraindicated for children under 3 years of age.
During the lactation period and pregnancy, it is prohibited to take White Coal. Taking a dietary supplement during breastfeeding is possible only after the baby has stopped feeding breast milk.
special instructions
The sorbent is not considered a drug and can be used as a dietary supplement to the daily diet. In the pharmaceutical network it is sold without a prescription, so you can purchase the medication not only to eliminate the symptoms of food or alcohol poisoning, but also as a means of losing weight.
People suffering from diabetes should take White Coal Active with caution, since one tablet of the dietary supplement contains about 0.26 g of sucrose. Therefore, before starting a course of treatment or prevention with this drug, it is better to consult a general practitioner.
White coal is not a medicine. Patients with diabetes mellitus should take into account the content of 260 mg of sucrose in 1 tablet, which is equivalent to 0.026 XE (bread units).
What kind of medicine is this?
White coal is an effective modern drug that has a wider range of effects compared to other similar medications.
The drug is classified by pharmacists as the latest generation of enterosorbents and is recommended for use in cases of poisoning with various foods, including specific ones such as mushrooms, solanine-rich vegetables, and bread. The drug also helps in combating the consequences of alcohol poisoning. Although the indications for using the medicine are not limited to poisoning.
The medicine is available in two versions:
- Pills.
- Powders.
The tablet form is intended for direct administration, and a suspension should be prepared from powders. As a rule, suspensions are given as a therapeutic agent to children, but they can also be indispensable in the treatment of adults. For example, this form of the drug will be useful in case of any damage to the larynx and resulting difficulties in swallowing.
Vacation conditions and price
The average cost of the drug White Coal (Active tablets 10 pieces) in Moscow is 160 rubles. Available without a prescription.
Shelf life – 2 years. The instructions for use recommend storing White Coal in a dry place, away from light and away from children, at a temperature not exceeding 25˚ C.
It is recommended to store the medication in a home medicine cabinet at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C. Do not expose to high humidity and direct sunlight. If you follow all recommendations for storing the drug, its shelf life can be up to 3 years.
Reviews about the effectiveness of the drug
The beneficial properties of White Coal Active have already been appreciated by people who have problems not only with the gastrointestinal tract, but also with other parts of the body. The tablets are noted as an effective means for losing weight and cleansing the skin. And this is not strange, because when it enters the body, the sorbent is instantly activated and begins to collect pathogenic bacteria, food debris and other toxins.
Medical professionals claim that a dietary supplement based on MCC and silicon dioxide promotes deep cleansing, stopping putrefactive processes and eliminating bloating. In addition, by consuming 1 tablet of enterosorbent on an empty stomach for a week, you will notice significant changes in your appearance.
Harm from consuming white coal
The safety of silicon dioxide has long been debated in the scientific community. For several years, scientists have studied the effect of the component on the human body and came to the conclusion that when consumed orally, it is absolutely harmless - the substance passes through the digestive system unchanged and is completely eliminated from the body, which eliminates the possibility of systemic exposure.
You should not expect a positive effect from the drug by using it either without the indications described in the instructions, or by ignoring contraindications, or by exceeding the dosage and recommended treatment periods. In such situations, at best, nothing more than a slight disruption of digestion will occur, and at worst, serious complications with dangerous consequences will occur (for example, when consuming white coal during intestinal bleeding).