Charcoal as a Remedy for Crohn's?

On January 20, 2006, a story appeared in Newsday -- a Long Island-based daily newspaper sold throughout the New York metropolitan area -- discussing a local clinical study of charcoal as a treatment for Crohn's disease.

The use of charcoal for Crohn's is still highly experimental. Patients are strongly advised against trying oral activated charcoal before discussing it with their IBD physician. Because charcoal can interfere with the absorption of nutrients and medications, it should not be viewed as a "natural" and therefore harmless remedy for Crohn's.

The study, called "Activated Charcoal as an Aid in Treating Crohn's Disease," has been approved as a legitimate clinical trial by members of CCFA's National Scientific Advisory Committee. It is a small-scale trial designed to test the effects of charcoal on mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease.

To learn more about the trial or to enroll, visit the Clinical Trials section.

Please also note that until the results of this clinical trial are available, it remains unclear whether there is any benefit to charcoal for people with Crohn's disease.

Date Posted: February 2, 2006