Alginate-coated activated charcoal enhances fecal excretion of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in mice, with fewer side effects than uncoated one.

Activated charcoal (AC) is a potential candidate antidote against dioxins. However, it is difficult to take AC as a supplement on a daily basis, because its long-term ingestion causes side effects such as constipation and deficiency of fat-soluble essential nutrients and hypocholesterolemia. Alginate-coated AC, termed Health Carbon (HC), was developed to decrease the side effects of AC, but its pharmacological effects, including side effects, remains unclear.