Call Kurtis: Is Activated Charcoal Good For Your Health?

BOSTON (CBS) — When Samantha Gregory is feeling a bit off, she adds charcoal to her diet.

"The impact that charcoal has had on my health has been a better digestive system so I don't have the gassiness after I eat," she says.

As you might guess, Samantha isn't crazy about the taste so she'll mix it with some juice.

"Lemon-lime flavor has agave in it so that was pretty good," she says.

Activated charcoal is sometimes used by doctors to prevent damage from an accidental overdose. The charcoal can keep the body from absorbing drugs.

Now, it's also become a popular supplement, as it's found in charcoal squares, dog biscuits, shampoos, facial soap, teeth whiteners, and special juices.

Eric Helms of Juice Generation says they've been in business about 15 years and have never had this kind of demand for a product. He says active people to those looking to lose a few pounds have turned to charcoal.

Registered dietician Angela Lemond, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says while charcoal may help with digestion, there is no evidence that it will also deliver on claims of weight loss, extra energy, or hangovers.

"Activated charcoal is not part of a normal diet," she says. "It is not something that is supposed to be consumed on a daily basis, and I don't recommend it as a supplement."

Lemond says activated charcoal doesn't discriminate between the good and bad things we eat or drink.

"The problem is that activated charcoal can bind a lot of things you don't want to have bound like vitamins and minerals," she says. "It can keep your body from absorbing those important nutrients."

Despite the warning, Samantha isn't ready to give up charcoal completely, as she plans to use it in moderation.

If you're taking any kind of medication, it's important to talk to your doctor before using activated charcoal since the supplement could cancel out the effects of those drugs.