NutriStack
Activated Charcoal and Zinc, timing-sensitive.
Activated charcoal can adsorb zinc and other minerals in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing zinc absorption when the two are taken at the same time.
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.
From the interaction database
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 Zinc
- Pair type
- Timing Sensitive
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Emerging
- 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 · Emerging evidence
Timing Sensitive
What is happening. Activated charcoal can adsorb zinc and other minerals in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing zinc absorption when the two are taken at the same time.
Mechanism. The porous surface of activated charcoal nonselectively binds luminal contents, including mineral cations, decreasing the amount of zinc presented to intestinal transporters.
Recommendation. Allow at least 2 hours between activated charcoal and a zinc supplement.
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 Zinc 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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