Tis the season to be jolly… unless you have the misfortune of eating contaminated food. Although food poisoning can occur at anytime, this time of year, with all its holiday celebrations, increase our chances of encountering toxins, like salmonella and staphylococcus.
Holiday parties, office luncheons, and dinners expose us to food that is often unrefrigerated for too long, or that’s been improperly prepared; inviting bacteria to multiply and wreak havoc on our digestive tracks. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, achiness, headache, and flu-like symptoms that last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Each year, millions of cases are reported in the U.S., along with thousands of deaths; confirming food poisoning is nothing to take lightly… which you already know, if you’ve ever experienced it.
The reason for this article is not to discuss details of food poisoning, but, instead, to give information about a natural product that can come to the rescue after ingesting tainted food. The product: charcoal. Yes, the same charcoal used in barbeque grills, water filters, aquarium filters, etc. But, no worries… I’m not suggesting you munch on chunks of coal. Instead, use charcoal tablets or capsules, which can be found in pharmacies, health food stores, and online.
Taken at the first sign of illness, charcoal can effectively remove or reduce toxic substances from the colon and bloodstream by absorbing and neutralizing them. However, in order for charcoal to work its magic, it needs to be taken early on, which, realistically, is going to require you to have it on hand. Plan ahead by purchasing a bottle in advance… just in case. Charcoal is inexpensive and has a very long shelf life, so it will last for years.
Dosage: 6 tablets or capsules at the onset of symptoms, and again 6 hours later. Drink plenty of water when taking charcoal to help flush out toxins. Do not take it with medication or other supplements.
So, if that eggnog’s been room temperature a bit too long, try charcoal to lessen the blow and save your holiday!
by Aaron Marino