28/04/2026
Wow
What happens at 32 grams per day?
In a dose–response crossover trial, participants took 4, 8, 16, or 32 g/day of activated charcoal for three-week intervals. At the highest dose, LDL cholesterol fell by up to 41%.
But here’s the interesting part: as LDL dropped, markers of cholesterol synthesis increased. In other words, the liver was making more cholesterol — even while circulating LDL was falling.
A similar study using 24 g/day showed the same pattern. Total cholesterol fell significantly, while cholesterol synthesis markers surged. Meanwhile, markers of cholesterol absorption didn’t change — suggesting dietary cholesterol wasn’t the primary driver.
The mechanism points to bile acids. Activated charcoal binds bile acids in the gut, interrupting their normal recycling. When bile acids are lost instead of reabsorbed, the liver must produce more — pulling cholesterol out of circulation to do it.
At higher doses like 32 g/day, LDL reduction appears to stem from increased cholesterol diversion into bile acid production, not suppressed synthesis.
For a deeper look at the physiology behind this effect, see the full breakdown: https://bit.ly/3MKPcav
