You’ve seen the hype, I’m sure. Activated Charcoal toothpaste for whitening your teeth, Activated Charcoal for reducing bloat, Activated Charcoal to help detox your face… Yay or Nay? Is it really worth the hype? In this post, I’ll be sharing my personal experiences from sampling Raw Organic Whole Food Activated Coconut Charcoal supplement from Peak Performance Life.

This is a sponsored post by Peak Performance Life. Free product and compensation was received in exchange for this post. Please Note: the compensation and free product never sways my judgement or opinions shared on products.

This past month, I participated in Pure Barre Lake Norman’s Clean Eating Challenge (I shared some tips here on how to get started if you want to read more), so trying this supplement out couldn’t have come at a better time! Now, with chatting bout a supplement that claims to ‘improve digestion’, this will probably be a not-so-glamorous post, if you catch my drift. Full disclosure!

 

Activated Charcoal

What the Internet Says…

Because the internet is always right, right?… Activated Charcoal is used to treat drug overdoses or poisoning.  The way activated charcoal is created – charcoal made from [in this instance organic coconut] is exposed to high heat and combined with a gas or activating agent to then increase its surface area.  The increase in the surface area of the charcoal allows toxins and ‘nasty’ agents to then bind to it once you ingest it.  Particularly useful if you are experiencing side effects from having a strongly alkaline or strongly acidic system.  (that information from WebMD)

Please consult with a physician or medical provider before starting any new supplements.

WebMD also stated that activated charcoal can be additionally helpful to prevent gas, reduce high cholesterol, and prevent a hangover.

A hangover preventative measure?! Yes please!

PLEASE NOTE: Multiple sources are saying the results from activated charcoal have been inconsistent.  Meaning nothing can be truly claimed as a benefit of taking activated charcoal as a supplement.  Maybe it works for you, maybe it doesn’t. I did want to also point out that since activated charcoal can have adverse effects on absorbing your other medications you are taking simultaneously, if you choose to take an activated charcoal substance, please consult with your medical provider about when and if you can take it.

 

Peak Performance Raw Organic Whole Food Activated Coconut Charcoal

I was excited to try an activated charcoal product to see what results came for me! Read all about the claims and how this product worked for me, below.

 

Claims:

Peak Performance Life’s Raw Organic Whole Food Activated Coconut Charcoal, as the name suggests is an organic coconut charcoal.  right on the bottle it states it is made with non GMO ingredients, NOT manufactured with wheat, gluten, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, or tree nut ingredients, AND it is made with a completely Vegan capsule (cellulose and water are the only ingredients).  Bonus, it’s made right here in the US!

Additionally, The Peak Performance Life Activated Coconut Charcoal says it provides 3 supplemental benefits:

1. Supports Detoxification*
2. Supports Digestion*
3. Supports Teeth Whitening*

(* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.)

So, a few thoughts from me initially — the asterisk alone had me already skeptical.  Especially with my hubby in the background saying activated charcoal doesn’t work.  I did enter this trial period with an open mind and was very aware of how my body reacted when taking this supplement.  I am most skeptical about how it will support teeth whitening if I am taking this supplement in pill form and it never touches my teeth.  Others were telling me how (in vivid detail, I might add) this will work to help support detoxification by digestion… in the most *smooth* way possible… If you catch my drift.  Keep reading to see how I used it, and how the trial went for me!

 

How To:

The bottle’s Suggested Use says “Take 2 capsules in the morning on an empty stomach and 2 to 3 hours before any meal, or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner.”   To me, these instructions were a little confusing so I took to Facebook to ask Peak Performance Life, themselves.  They were very helpful and timely in their response.

As far as the clarification of suggested use goes; you take 2 capsules in the morning before breakfast on an empty stomach. THEN an additional 2 capsules, three hours before any meal (preferably a meal where you think you may be enjoying less than healthy foods).  Not to exceed 4 capsules in a day.

How I used it:

I mentioned how my friends were telling my my digestion was going to be SUPER smooth, right? So I started off using this Activated Charcoal as suggested, 2 in the morning asap as I woke up, and 2 again 3 hours before dinner.  I did that for the first week to fully encompass the results.

If I’m being honest here, which I always am, it was challenging for me to remember to take another serving 3 hours before dinner.  Partly because dinner isn’t really at a ‘set’ time every night, and mostly because I forgot. So after the first week, I adjusted my daily servings to just 2 capsules in the morning before my coffee.

What I found:

Digestion Support

Let me tell you what… There was definitely smooth operator happenings going on. Almost too much for me.  With my line of work, I don’t always have the ability to run to the little girls room if the moment strikes.  So, for functionality and supporting the claims of Supporting Digestion, I give this product an A++ for holding true to it’s word. I also believe that this supplement has helped diminish bloat and gas. Keeping in mind, this could have been a side effect from the Clean Eating Challenge I was participating simultaneously.

Side Note: If you choose to try this product, don’t be alarmed — the product itself is black, and will be eliminated from your body in the SAME color it enters your body.

Detoxification Support

Truthfully, I have no scientific quantitative way of sharing with you how this supplement supported detoxifying my system other than sharing that it surely flushed out the toxins via my digestion.

Teeth Whitening Support

This, by far, was the benefit of these supplements that baffled me the most.  How IN THE WORLD was a capsule to help whiten my teeth? So, I went back to an old selfie, and a new selfie.  Pictures taken 3 weeks apart.

Do you think it worked for my teeth?  I think, personally, that if your main focus is teeth whitening, snag an activated charcoal tooth powder and brush those bad boys with it.

 

 

The Final Verdict

Personally, I think this product absolutely worked!  I want to point out how much I appreciated the fact that this product is organic, nothing added but the coconut charcoal, and was made in the USA.  Also, I do take the 2 servings per day when I have access to the appropriate necessities.  Some days when my system is being a bit more stubborn, this supplement helps with moving that along (in conjunction with my Bulletproof Coffee). And you know FOR SURE, I’ll employ these activated charcoal pills when I indulge in a donut or four. 😉

 

 

I hope my personal experience with this product has helped you decide whether or not you would like to try Peak Performance Life’s Raw Organic Coconut Activated Charcoal.  If you try it, be sure to let me know what you think of it by joining The Dynamic Life Collective! This is where my tribe comes together to chat all things – life hacks, product reviews, clean eating recipes, and other things to brighten your day and help you live a dynamic life!

 

 

Be sure to subscribe to my blog to get all the updates and LOVE from me! Next week I’ll be sharing MORE fun about The Dynamic Life Collective – how it came to be, what it is, and why you want to be a part of it!

 

xoxo,

Syd