Activated Charcoal Functional Food for Obesity Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charcoal products are ineffective in addressing obesity and can cause adverse side effects such as indigestion due to enzyme, vitamin, and mineral absorption, leading to potential malnutrition with long-term use.
Innovation Solution
A functional food composition incorporating bamboo charcoal, Bincho charcoal, activated bamboo charcoal, or activated Bincho charcoal with specific properties (bulk density, particle diameter, BET surface area, and iodine adsorption amount) is developed to effectively manage obesity without adverse effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional charcoal is used for obesity treatment, then it is readily available and easy to ingest, but it adsorbs enzymes, vitamins, and minerals causing indigestion and malnutrition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the bulk density (0.3 to 0.6 g/ml) and particle diameter (10 μm or less) of the charcoal, and by activating it to achieve a BET specific surface area of 1000 to 1200 m2/g and iodine adsorption amount of 1000 to 1300 mg/g. These parameter modifications transform conventional charcoal into activated charcoal with enhanced adsorption capacity for fat and cholesterol while reducing harmful adsorption of nutrients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining activated charcoal with specific dietary components including soluble dietary fiber (0.5 to 5.0 g per serving), insoluble dietary fiber (0.5 to 5.0 g per serving), protein (5 to 20 g per serving), and fat (5 to 20 g per serving). This composite formulation creates a functional food that leverages the adsorption properties of activated charcoal while ensuring adequate nutrition through carefully selected complementary ingredients.
2Quantity of substance
If charcoal with high adsorption capacity is used, then it can adsorb more fat and cholesterol for obesity management, but it may also adsorb more nutrients causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves selective adsorption by modifying the physical and chemical parameters of charcoal through activation. The activated charcoal has a BET specific surface area of 1000 to 1200 m2/g and iodine adsorption amount of 1000 to 1300 mg/g, which enhances its capacity to adsorb fat and cholesterol while the controlled particle size (10 μm or less) and bulk density (0.3 to 0.6 g/ml) optimize its interaction with different substances in the digestive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the charcoal structure. The activated charcoal provides high adsorption capacity in specific regions for targeting fat and cholesterol, while the overall formulation ensures that nutrient adsorption is minimized through the presence of protective dietary components that compete for adsorption sites or are less readily adsorbed.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If long-term use of conventional charcoal is recommended for obesity, then continuous weight management is achieved, but adverse side effects accumulate leading to malnutrition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-formulating the functional food with adequate amounts of essential nutrients including protein (5 to 20 g per serving), fat (5 to 20 g per serving), soluble dietary fiber, and insoluble dietary fiber. This preliminary nutritional preparation ensures that even with continuous use, the consumer receives sufficient nutrients to prevent malnutrition while the activated charcoal continuously manages obesity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuity of useful action by creating a functional food that can be safely consumed over the long term. The activated charcoal maintains its obesity-management function through continuous ingestion, while the balanced formulation with multiple nutritional components ensures that harmful effects do not accumulate, allowing sustained weight management without malnutrition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The functional food composition promotes weight loss, reduces white adipocytes, increases HDL cholesterol, improves liver and renal function, maintains intestinal flora balance, and absorbs indole and bile acid, thereby effectively managing obesity without adverse side effects.
Implementation Method 1
it has an effect of improving and repressing obesity, including a charcoal composition composed of at least one of a bamboo charcoal, a Bincho charcoal, an activated bamboo charcoal and an activated Bincho charcoal
Implementation Method 2
some of them are advertised as having health-promoting effects by combining charcoal and dietary fibers to remove enteral waste products
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a functional food that utilizes health-promoting effects of charcoal, is readily ingested, has no adverse side effect, and has an effect of improving and repressing obesity. The functional food includes a charcoal composition having at least one of a bamboo charcoal, a Bincho charcoal, an activated bamboo charcoal and an activated Bincho charcoal, and both of the activated bamboo charcoal and the activated Bincho charcoal have a bulk density of 0.3 to 0.6 g/ml, an average particle size of 10 μm or smaller, a BET specific surface area of 1000 to 1200 m2/g, and an iodine adsorption amount of 1000 to 1300 mg/g.