NutriStack
Activated Charcoal and Iron, timing-sensitive.
Activated charcoal can adsorb orally ingested iron in the gut, reducing the amount of iron available for absorption when the two are taken together.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
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What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Activated Charcoal and Iron
- Pair type
- Timing Sensitive
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 1 source
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Supplement
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Timing Sensitive · Moderate evidence
Timing Sensitive
What is happening. Activated charcoal can adsorb orally ingested iron in the gut, reducing the amount of iron available for absorption when the two are taken together.
Mechanism. Activated charcoal has a large adsorptive surface area that binds many luminal compounds. Its affinity for inorganic iron salts is lower than for organic molecules, but co-ingestion can still sequester some iron and reduce uptake.
Recommendation. Separate activated charcoal and iron by at least 2 hours, taking the iron dose well away from any charcoal.
Minimum separation. 2 hours
Sources (1)
- Neuvonen PJ, Olkkola KT, Oral activated charcoal in the treatment of intoxications, Medical Toxicology and Adverse Drug Experience, 1988
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Activated Charcoal and Iron are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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