Ten years ago, activated carbon was considered a relatively effective way to combat excess weight. Later it was replaced by appetite regulators and various supplements. However, today, when new-model drugs become too expensive or are completely discontinued, a serious discussion has again developed about coal on the Internet. Therefore, let's think about how this drug works, and whether it can really help you get rid of extra pounds at home.
Useful features
Activated carbon is a medical product, not a fat burning agent. And it helps not so much those who want to get rid of extra pounds, but those who need serious body cleansing. Therefore, among the positive manifestations of taking the drug, the attention is not "liquid" centimeters on the waist or problems, but:
- Stabilization of the digestive tract.
- Removes toxins and other harmful substances from the body.
- Slightly slows down the aging process of the skin (due to increased fluid intake).
- Reduces blood cholesterol and, as a result, improves the function of the brain and cardiovascular system and accelerates metabolism.
- Improves the function of the liver, adrenal glands, kidneys and some other internal organs.
- There is no deposition, because the active elements of the drug are not absorbed, but are completely removed from the body within 8-10 hours after administration.
- Reduces the possibility of infection with staphylococcus, dysentery and some airborne diseases (for example, influenza).
Instructions for use
For all types of diets (which we will consider in more detail below), taking activated carbon is only allowed when it is combined with other methods. However, in medical reference books you can find many other indications for its use. So, those who experience:
- Metabolic disorders.
- Stomach upset, fermentation, flatulence, diarrhea.
- As a result of severe detoxification.
- Poisoning with alkaloids, heavy metal salts and other harmful substances.
- Poisoning of various etiologies.
And this is just a short list of situations when it will come in handy. However, do not forget that you can take the medicine not once, but in a course only after the approval of your doctor, because you may have contraindications to taking it.
Contraindications
Despite the fact that cleaning with activated carbon is practiced everywhere, not everyone should use it. In addition to individual intolerance, reasons for rejection may include:
- Vitamin deficiency or metabolic disorders.
- Inadequate (under 14 years) or excessive (over 65 years) age of the person losing weight.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding in young mothers.
- Low blood pressure.
- The presence of problems in the gastrointestinal tract: colitis, duodenal ulcer or any other.
- The patient is taking certain medications (for example, antitoxin).
- Tendency to constipation and bulimia, the presence of intestinal dysbiosis.
- Internal bleeding (regardless of its origin).
As you can see, drinking it is not always beneficial. And in some cases it can even be harmful to health. Therefore, if you are planning to start losing weight using activated charcoal, be sure to consult your doctor first.
Are there any results?
Is charcoal effective as a way to lose weight? To find the answer to this question, let's turn to the experience of those who have tested this pill on themselves. According to reviews, in two weeks without using additional methods (effective diet, physical activity), people manage to lose about 2-4 kg. Moreover, the greater the initial weight of the person losing weight, the better the results he can achieve.
However, let's think about whether activated carbon really promotes weight loss? Not really. It's just that when you start taking these tablets, you also increase your water intake. Having previously filled the stomach with water, a person eats less at the next meal. The result is weight loss. In other words, it is very possible to achieve the same results in the same period without taking activated carbon. It will be enough to drink a cup of still water at room temperature about 20-30 minutes before eating.
But what medicine really does is cleanse the body. After the two-week course, many people note:
- Skin condition improves: dark spots disappear and oily sheen.
- Light appearance in the body.
- Stabilization of intestinal function.
However, all this happens only if you take the medicine correctly. If you forget about the measurements and when taking you are guided by the principle "more, the better, " you can experience some complications.
Harm the body
It seems that we all know charcoal from childhood - as an excellent remedy for intestinal problems and excessive gas formation. So what negative consequences can we talk about? Let us remember that activated carbon is, first of all, a medical product. This means that overdose or improper use can cause harm to the body. This can be expressed in:
Avitaminosis and hypovitaminosis Activated carbon is an excellent adsorbent, but it removes not only toxins from the body, but also nutrients.
External degradation With prolonged use, you risk negating all the positive effects of "cleansing": clear skin will become dull and covered with acne, nails will become brittle, and hair will begin to fall out.
constipation Excessive moisture peristalsis is a sure companion of serious constipation, which is not so far from diarrhea and piles.
Damage to the intestinal wall Two weeks of moderate use of the drug will not cause any negative consequences. However, if you get too carried away, you are guaranteed to have problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Reduces the effects of taking other medications Instead of having a restorative effect on the body, the beneficial substances and antibodies contained in the tablets will be actively removed along with the toxins.
Reduces blood pressure and thromboembolism
And all this is true only for completely healthy people. How self-medication or "grandmother's" recipes based on activated carbon will affect those who already suffer from any chronic disease, one can only guess. But clearly there is 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 will be noticeable only if taken correctly. And it may turn out completely different than what you expected.
Dosage and administration rules
So, which method of use will provide the optimal effect and will not cause irreparable harm? The exact course can only be prescribed by the attending physician who is familiar with the characteristics of your body. In general, the admission rules are as follows:
- The duration of the course starts from 3 days and should not exceed 2 weeks (the same applies to the diet that includes taking this medicine).
- The number of tablets that must be taken daily (at least 3 approaches) is calculated by the formula: 1 tablet for every 10 kg of full weight. In other words, if you weigh 50 kg you need to drink 5 tablets per day, if you weigh 113 kg - 11 tablets.
- The drug should be included in the daily menu gradually. If your norm is 7 pieces, in the first 2-3 days it is better to take no more than 5 tablets, gradually increasing the dose. The same goes for completing courses.
- The dose is taken within an hour before or after a meal. However, you should not drink it in the morning (when your stomach is still empty), it is better to do it an hour after breakfast.
- After finishing the course, make sure you rest for at least 2 weeks.
- Take the tablet with boiled water at room temperature. This will prevent all types of bacteria from entering the body and help the medicine start working faster.
- At the end of your appointment, be sure to call your doctor so that he can give you a course of multivitamins (to restore the balance of vitamins in the body).
Also, if you want the most benefits from taking activated charcoal, try following these suggestions:
- Reduce the consumption of flour products and products containing sugar.
- Avoid alcohol completely.
- Eliminate dishes high in sugar, fat and harmful elements from your daily menu.
- Drink water (at least 1 liter for every 30 kg of weight, but up to 2. 5 liters in total).
- Switch from coffee to weak tea without any additives.
- Increase your physical activity by making sure that exercise (such as morning exercise, afternoon jogging or swimming in the pool) gives you a burst of energy and strength, rather than completely exhausting you.
Follow these simple rules, and losing weight with activated charcoal will definitely benefit you. Although not all extra pounds will disappear, you will feel better than before the start of the course.
Acceptance Variation
As already mentioned, many people start taking drugs actively in an effort to lose weight. Therefore, let's look at the most popular methods and evaluate their effectiveness:
Option #1: Soft
The gist:The diet of the person losing weight remains unchanged, and no additional effort to lose weight is taken into account. Tablets should be taken in the amount of 2 pieces 1. 5 hours - an hour before meals. Course duration is from 10 days to two weeks.
Results:There will be no significant weight loss (maximum - 3-4 kilograms in 14 days). However (if other conditions remain unchanged), the lost centimeters will disappear forever, a sense of lightness will appear in the body, bowel function will stabilize, and daily activity will increase significantly.
Option #2: The three-day diet
The gist:For 3 days, people who lose weight adhere to a certain diet. Additional physical activity is not taken into account, but is not prohibited.
Day 1 During the day, you can only eat activated carbon with kefir and water. Moreover, first you take a few tablets (based on weight), wash them down with a glass of warm water, and after half an hour - a glass of kefir. If you are used to eating more than three times a day, the portion size and the number of tablets must be reduced. In this case, the break between meals should be at least 2-3 hours.
Day 2 The current "dish list" is exactly the same as yesterday's menu, but with one difference. Kefir is replaced with apples at the rate of one apple for each glass.
Day 3 Today, the diet remains the same, but instead of kefir you will eat vegetable salad with olive oil dressing or steamed vegetables without salt.
Results:This diet is one of the express diets, and therefore as a result you can lose up to 5 kg. However, the menu provides a rather abrupt and radical rejection of the product, which is not suitable for everyone. As you lose weight, you may experience severe headaches, weakness and an uncontrollable appetite (which may cause you to gain weight). Therefore, you should not follow this diet during menstruation or when you are doing things that require higher attention and concentration.
If such a diet is easy for you, the course can be continued, extending it to 15 days. However, you should stop taking activated carbon, and at the end of the diet, make sure you take a multivitamin.
Option #3: Two-week diet with activated charcoal
The gist:For 14 days, people who lose weight eat according to a certain pattern, designed to gradually reduce hunger. At the same time, 30-60 minutes before eating (except for the second breakfast), he takes activated charcoal (2 tablets) with a glass of warm water. When evaluating effectiveness, additional physical activity is not taken into account.
- Breakfast: one serving (0. 2 kg) of oatmeal cooked in water and a glass of green or black tea without additives. If desired, you can flavor the porridge with raisins, and with tea you can eat bread with a thin slice of cheese.
- Second breakfast: a glass of low-fat kefir.
- Lunch: soup made from lean meat (beef or chicken) and 0. 2 kg of boiled vegetables.
- Dinner: fresh fruit salad, seasoned with a spoonful of sour cream or homemade yogurt.
- Breakfast: buckwheat cooked in water, as well as a boiled egg and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: apple, kiwi or small banana.
- Lunch: vegetable soup and 0. 15 kg of pollock, baked in its own juice without adding any spices.
- Dinner: an apple and 0. 2 kg of cottage cheese, the fat content of which does not exceed 7%.
- Breakfast: a plate of freshly cooked rice and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: two small fruits of your choice.
- Lunch: steamed chicken (0. 2 kg) and vegetable salad coated with low-fat sour cream.
- Dinner: vegetable casserole and a glass of tea.
- Breakfast: a plate of oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk, a glass of tea and a handful of raisins.
- Second breakfast: cucumber and two boiled eggs.
- Lunch: a bowl of soup made from lean fish. You can eat no more than 0. 1 kg of the fish itself.
- Dinner: a portion of cottage cheese and a banana.
- Breakfast: 1 medium-sized tomato, sandwich (bread + thin slices of cheese) and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: 0. 05 kg of cottage cheese and a cup of low-fat milk. If desired, you can add a few slices of bread.
- Lunch: vegetable soup cooked in meat broth and 0. 1 kg of lean boiled meat.
- Dinner: fresh vegetable salad.
- Breakfast: buckwheat porridge cooked in water (without additives), one boiled egg and cucumber.
- Second breakfast: a cup of low-fat kefir and a small fruit of your choice.
- Lunch: low-fat meat soup (0. 2 kg) and cucumber.
- Dinner: cottage cheese (0. 1 kg), seasoned with a spoonful of homemade yogurt (without additives).
- Breakfast: oatmeal cooked with milk, 0. 1 kg of homemade yogurt and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: a cup of kefir.
- Lunch: vegetable casserole and 0. 1 kg lean boiled meat.
- Dinner: vegetable salad wrapped in homemade yogurt.
- Breakfast: two cucumbers, two sandwiches with low-fat cheese and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: two small fruits of your choice.
- Lunch: chicken soup and 0. 1 kg vegetable casserole.
- Dinner: two cucumbers and a portion of boiled clams.
- Breakfast: rice cooked in water and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: a glass of kefir and an apple.
- Lunch: a portion of low-fat borscht and 0. 1 kg of boiled chicken breast.
- Dinner: cucumber and tomato salad and 0. 2 kg of boiled shrimp.
- Breakfast: 2 baked apples, a portion of cottage cheese and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: a glass of kefir and bread.
- Lunch: a plate of lean fish soup.
- Dinner: steamed vegetables.
- Breakfast: cucumber, sandwich (bread + thin slices of boiled chicken breast) and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: a glass of fermented baked milk and an apple.
- Lunch: a bowl of low-fat chicken soup.
- Dinner: vegetable salad and 0. 1 kg of cottage cheese.
- Breakfast: a portion of cottage cheese, two cucumbers, one boiled egg, and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: two small fruits of your choice.
- Lunch: a plate of low-fat borscht and 0. 1 kg of boiled mushrooms.
- Dinner: boiled chicken breast (0. 1 kg) and vegetable salad.
- Breakfast: buckwheat porridge cooked in water, boiled egg and a glass of tea.
- Second breakfast: small fruit of your choice.
- Lunch: a plate of vegetable soup and 0. 15 kg of pollock, baked in its own juice without adding any spices.
- Dinner: an apple and 0. 2 kg of cottage cheese, the fat content of which does not exceed 7%.
- Breakfast: a portion of oatmeal, boiled in water, and a glass of tea. If desired, you can flavor the porridge with raisins, and with tea you can eat bread with a thin slice of cheese.
- Second breakfast: a glass of low-fat kefir.
- Lunch: a portion of low-fat meat soup and 0. 2 kg of boiled vegetables.
- Dinner: fruit salad, seasoned with a spoonful of sour cream or homemade yogurt.
Results:Since this diet is classified as moderate, you can adhere to it even with increased daily activity. In two weeks, with its help you can lose about 5-7 kg, which (if you stick to the same menu, but without coal) will not return in the future.
Black or white: choosing the "right" coal.
Today the drug chain is huge. So, if before only black activated carbon could be bought in the pharmacy, today, along with it, pharmacists offer white carbon tablets. Advertising for trendy new products promises buyers a milder effect, the removal of only toxins from the body and the possibility of taking a long-term course (more than 2 weeks).
The only thing is that the instructions for use for both drugs are almost the same, and nanorobots (which can determine with certainty which elements harm the body and which help) are not included in white charcoal. Also, if traditional black charcoal costs a penny, you have to pay several times more for white charcoal. Whether such a "game" is worth it, decide for yourself.
Let's summarize the above. As practice shows, activated carbon for weight loss will be ineffective. Without the help of other solutions (diet, exercise), with its help you can lose at most 2-3 kilograms. In this case, an overdose of the drug threatens serious problems with the body. However, if you need to clean your body quickly, for example, after a big party, you will not find a better solution. Plus, it's always available and cheap.