Activated charcoal stops farts fast
Activated charcoal has been used medicinally for centuries due to its impressive ability to adsorb various substances, including gases. That’s not a typo, we really do mean ADsorption not ABsorption. Produced from carbon sources such as wood or coconut shells, activated charcoal is heated to extremely high temperatures, creating a porous surface that allows it to trap and hold molecules.
Under a microscope, activated carbon looks like a sponge, and the molecules of gut gases like methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen bind to it. Since they cannot float in the air as gases, we cannot smell them and they pass out of the intestine in solid form when you open your bowels, instead of noisily blasting into the atmosphere at the most embarrassing of moments.
How fart stopping pills of activated charcoal do their job
When you take activated charcoal “fart stopping” pills, its microscopic pores bind to gas-causing compounds in your digestive system. This binding process is known as “adsorption,” where molecules adhere to the charcoal’s surface, preventing them from generating gas or being reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
Activated charcoal binds to sulphur compounds produced from certain foods by intestinal bacteria, which are key contributors to the strong odours associated with flatulence. The main culprits are cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale, pulses including beans, peas and lentils, allium vegetables including onions and garlic, and for many people, eggs. Some people also have problems with sulphur-based food preservatives that include sulphur dioxide, sodium metabisulphite and others.
By binding to certain gas-causing by-products in the gut, activated charcoal may help reduce the volume of gas in the digestive system. This has the added benefit of ending painful colic and tummy bloating.
How long does activated charcoal take to work?
Activated charcoal begins to work within 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the speed of your individual digestive speed. Whilst it is marvellous at dealing with the problem, it doesn’t tackle the root cause, which is a gut lacking probiotic bacteria and dominated by harmful ones. This means its benefits only last for as long as you keep taking it.
Are charcoal pills a permanent solution?
Activated charcoal is not a permanent solution for gas reduction. It does not address the root cause of excessive gas production, which is often linked to gut microbiome imbalance.
Potential downsides of activated charcoal
Activated charcoal doesn’t discriminate in what it adsorbs. Alongside gas-causing compounds, it may also bind to vitamins, minerals, and certain medications, which can reduce nutrient absorption and the effectiveness of medicines. In some people, activated charcoal can cause constipation. Taking it with plenty of water can help reduce this effect.
Because of these limitations, activated charcoal may be best for infrequent use, such as before a potentially gas-inducing meal, rather than as a daily solution.
The Role of Probiotics in Reducing Flatulence
You notice the benefits of charcoal from day one, whereas you’ll need to finish a bottle of live probiotic bacteria to feel the full benefit. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that make the balance of the gut microbiome healthy. By promoting healthy gut bacteria and preventing the overgrowth of harmful microbes, probiotics can help regulate digestion and reduce gas production at the source.
When antibiotics, tummy bugs or other health problems kill them off, harmful bacteria can become too numerous in their place. Certain types of bad gut bacteria produce lots of gas while fermenting and digesting the food you eat. Friendly probiotic bacteria do the same thing, but politely and without making gases while they do it.
They have other benefits too. Probiotics give the immune system a major boost, and a gut full of healthy intestinal bacteria is associated with better mood and mental health. They can help to reduce long-term inflammation and its associated symptoms of pain and tiredness. As if this weren’t enough, they contribute to the health of the intestinal lining, improving its ability to absorb nutrients.
How do probiotics work as fart stopping pills?
Flatulence often occurs when gut bacteria ferment undigested carbohydrates in the large intestine, producing gases like hydrogen, methane, and sulphur compounds. Certain probiotics break down complex carbohydrates and fibres, reducing the amount of undigested food that gets fermented in the large intestine by gas-producing bacteria. Probiotic bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus can also outcompete these gas-producing bacteria, crowding them out of the gut so their total numbers are reduced.
Probiotics can also reduce inflammation and intestinal permeability, which can contribute to tummy pains and gas in people with sensitive tummies.
How long do probiotics take to stop gas?
Probiotics generally take a few days to weeks to show noticeable results, as they work by gradually shifting the balance of gut bacteria. The effects will vary depending on the individual’s digestive health, diet, and the specific strains used.
Are probiotics a permanent solution to farts?
Probiotics can be part of a more sustainable, long-term solution for reducing flatulence, particularly when combined with a fibre-rich, balanced diet. By supporting a healthier gut microbiome, they address one of the root causes of gas production. However, regular intake is typically necessary to maintain these benefits.
Choosing the right probiotic strains to stop gas
Certain strains are more effective at reducing flatulence than others. Some well-researched strains for gas reduction include:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus: Known for its role in reducing gas and supporting overall gut health.
- Bifidobacterium lactis: Often found in dairy products, this strain has been shown to reduce bloating and gas.
- Saccharomyces boulardii: A beneficial yeast that can help balance gut flora and improve digestion.
It’s best to select probiotics with multiple strains that target different aspects of digestive health for comprehensive relief.
Comparing Activated Charcoal and Probiotics
Diet and Lifestyle Tips for Minimising Gas
In addition to supplements, adopting certain lifestyle changes can further support digestive health:
- Limit High-Gas Foods: Foods like beans, onions, and cruciferous vegetables are common culprits of gas; eating them in moderation or cooking them well can help.
- Beware of smoothies: If you’re in the habit of making your own smoothies, you should know that your blender is whipping lots of bubbles into your healthy drink. Leave any smoothie to stand for half an hour before drinking it: you will be able to see the tiny bubbles joining together and clustering on the surface.
- Cook your vegetables thoroughly: We’re always told to avoid over-cooking our veg as the heat destroys vitamins. But this does leave a lot more for the bad bacteria in your gut to ferment gassily. Thorough cooking will do a lot of the digestion for you, giving them less to work with.
- Eat Slowly: Eating too quickly can cause air swallowing, which only increases the amount of gas in your tummy.
- Avoid Carbonated Drinks: These beverages contain added gas, which is really the last thing you need.
- Exercise Regularly and drink plenty of water: Physical activity promotes digestion and, along with water, helps keep the bowels regular. This gives the food less time to sit in the intestine and ferment.
The best fart stopping pills: Charcoal or Probiotics?
While both activated charcoal and probiotics have roles in managing flatulence, they work in very different ways. Activated charcoal is best suited for short-term, occasional use and may be useful before a meal known to cause gas. However, it’s not a sustainable solution due to potential side effects and nutrient absorption concerns.
Probiotics, on the other hand, are a longer-term solution that can support overall digestive health and reduce flatulence at its root cause. By helping to balance the gut microbiome, probiotics contribute to a healthier digestive environment, potentially reducing gas production more sustainably.
For most people, taking both is the best way to deal with a farting problem both rapidly and permanently.
Our fart stopping pills from VitaBright are a partnership of Activated Charcoal with Probiotic Live Bio Cultures. They can help most people resolve their gas problem for good in under 2 months, although a few stubborn cases may need another couple of months to resolve the situation.
