Skip to content
Dr. Grey AI

Condition

Arsenic Poisoning

Arsenic poisoning happens when inorganic arsenic, often from contaminated drinking water, builds up in the body and damages cells, causing skin lesions and raising the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. The evidence is strongest for charcoal, which limited how much arsenic the gut absorbed after acute poisoning, and moderate for NAC and selenium. Charcoal only applies to sudden exposure, and the evidence for antioxidants is thinner: curcumin raised antioxidant enzyme levels, but the evidence is limited.

Supplements studied
4
Graded outcomes
3
Trials
2
People studied
327

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

4 supplements

Charcoal: outcomes studied for Arsenic Poisoning
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Toxin Absorption Prevention

Well-established treatment for acute poisoning. Most effective within 1 hour of ingestion. Standard emergency medicine practice.

Changes; see studiesLarge effect2,000 people
Curcumin: outcomes studied for Arsenic Poisoning
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect286 people
Oxidative Stress BiomarkersImproves (the measure goes down)6 studies286 people
DNA DamageChanges; see studies286 people

Rhamnogalacturonan I

  • Heavy Metal Excretion: improves
Rhamnogalacturonan I: outcomes studied for Arsenic Poisoning
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Heavy Metal Excretion

Several human studies using Modified Citrus Pectin (which contains RG-I) have demonstrated increased urinary excretion of lead, arsenic, and cadmium. MCP is used as a gentle chelation therapy, though the contribution of RG-I specifically versus other pectin components is unclear.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect

Spirulina

  • Arsenic Poisoning Signs and Symptoms: improves
Spirulina: outcomes studied for Arsenic Poisoning
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Arsenic Poisoning Signs and SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study41 people

Studies that measured arsenic poisoning signs and symptoms

Key findings

  • Toxin Absorption PreventionCharcoalChanges; see studies
  • Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileCurcuminImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Heavy Metal ExcretionRhamnogalacturonan IImproves (the measure goes up)

The Arsenic Toxicity Supportive Care protocol

2 primary supplements · 5 supporting supplements

See the full protocol

Studies cited

100 studies from PubMed

  1. Effect of curcumin on inflammatory markers and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore), 2025 · PMID 41327719
  2. Mild ultrasound-assisted alkali de-esterification modified pectins: Characterization and structure-activity relationships in immunomodulatory effectsUltrasonics Sonochemistry, 2025 · PMID 39742686
  3. The Effect of Antioxidant Polyphenol Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nutrients, 2024 · PMID 39683599
  4. The Effectiveness of Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Silymarin on MASLD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Food Sci Nutr, 2024 · PMID 39723101
  5. Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Carrot-Derived Rhamnogalacturonan-I (cRG-I) on Accelerated Protective Immune Responses and Quality of Life in Healthy Volunteers Challenged with Rhinovirus in a Randomized TrialNutrients, 2022 · PMID 36296939
  6. Effects of spirulina and wakame consumption on intestinal cholesterol absorption and serum lipid concentrations in non-hypercholesterolemic adult men and womenEur J Nutr, 2020 · PMID 31388739
  7. Spirulina in Health and Disease Prevention: A Comprehensive ReviewInt J Mol Sci, 2019 · PMID 30748114
  8. Curcumin alleviates postprandial glycaemic response in healthy subjects: A cross-over, randomized controlled studySci Rep, 2018 · PMID 30209353
  9. Substantial Variability Across Individuals in the Vascular and Nutrigenomic Response to an Acute Intake of Curcumin: A Randomized Controlled TrialMol Nutr Food Res, 2018 · PMID 29034576
  10. Spirulina Supplementation and Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-AnalysisPhytother Res, 2018 · PMID 29633990
  11. Spirulina and Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic ReviewJ Med Food, 2018 · PMID 30315870
  12. Spirulina (Arthrospira): Nutritional Value and Health EffectsEvid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018 · PMID 29405131
  13. Spirulina and Immune Function: A Systematic ReviewAutoimmun Rev, 2018 · PMID 30177301
  14. Safety Assessment of Spirulina (Arthrospira) as a Dietary SupplementComplement Ther Med, 2018 · PMID 29695109
  15. Curcumin supplementation improves vascular endothelial function in healthy middle-aged and older adults by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and reducing oxidative stressAging (Albany NY), 2017 · PMID 28070018
  16. A Systematic Review of the Effects of Spirulina on Cardiovascular Risk FactorsClin Nutr, 2017 · PMID 28182098
  17. Effects of Spirulina on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisMedicine, 2017 · PMID 28849409
  18. Activated charcoal - past, present and futureClin Toxicol, 2016 · PMID 27977300
  19. Novel Form of Curcumin Improves Endothelial Function in Young, Healthy Individuals: A Double-Blind Placebo Controlled StudyJ Nutr Metab, 2016 · PMID 27630772
  20. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Spirulina: Evidence from Clinical StudiesCardiovasc Ther, 2016 · PMID 27259333
  21. Effects of Spirulina on Body Weight and Blood Glucose: A Meta-AnalysisClin Nutr ESPEN, 2016 · PMID 27507219
  22. Effect of Spirulina maxima on postprandial lipemia in young runners: a preliminary reportJ Med Food, 2012 · PMID 22738038
  23. AST-120 for the treatment of chronic kidney disease: effects on uremic toxinsNephrol Dial Transplant, 2011 · PMID 24655576
  24. Effect of different curcuminoid supplement dosages on total in vivo antioxidant capacity and cholesterol levels of healthy human subjectsPhytother Res, 2011 · PMID 21796707
  25. Effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin in healthy subjectsNutr J, 2010 · PMID 20937162
  26. Combined inhibitory effects of soy isoflavones and curcumin on the production of prostate-specific antigenProstate, 2010 · PMID 20503397
  27. Effect of NCB-02, atorvastatin and placebo on endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 8-week studyDrugs R D, 2008 · PMID 18588355
  28. Wheat grass supplementation decreases oxidative stress in healthy subjects: a comparative study with spirulinaJ Altern Complement Med, 2007 · PMID 17983333
  29. The effect of oral charcoal in reducing serum indoxyl sulfate and p-cresol in patients with chronic kidney diseaseAm J Nephrol, 2006 · PMID 19584258
  30. Chili, but not turmeric, inhibits iron absorption in young women from an iron-fortified composite mealJ Nutr, 2006 · PMID 17116705
  31. Position paper: single-dose activated charcoalClin Toxicol, 2005 · PMID 15846668
  32. Reduction of serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients by activated charcoalLancet, 1986 · PMID 3612469
  33. Efficacy of Curcuma longa in relieving pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.J Rheum Dis · PMID 39712249
  34. Curcuma longa extract reduces inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in osteoarthritis of knee: a four-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trialInflammopharmacology · PMID 27761693
  35. Efficacy and safety of curcumin and its combination with boswellic acid in osteoarthritis: a comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyBMC Complement Altern Med · PMID 29316908
  36. Short-term effects of highly-bioavailable curcumin for treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective studyJ Orthop Sci · PMID 25308211
  37. Safety and efficacy of curcumin versus diclofenac in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized open-label parallel-arm studyTrials · PMID 30975196
  38. Curcuminoid treatment for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trialPhytother Res · PMID 24853120
  39. Safety and efficacy of Curcuma longa extract in the treatment of painful knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled trialInflammopharmacology · PMID 23242572
  40. Efficacy and safety of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, during extended administration in osteoarthritis patientsAltern Med Rev · PMID 21194249
  41. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter studyClin Interv Aging · PMID 24672232
  42. Product-evaluation registry of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, for the complementary management of osteoarthritisPanminerva Med · PMID 20657536
  43. The efficacy of Curcuma Longa L. extract as an adjuvant therapy in primary knee osteoarthritis: a randomized control trialJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 23964444
  44. A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Parallel-Group Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Curene® versus Placebo in Reducing Symptoms of Knee OABiomed Res Int · PMID 30498758
  45. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritisJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 19678780
  46. Efficacy and safety of curcumin therapy for knee osteoarthritis: A Bayesian network meta-analysis.J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 38036015
  47. Effect of turmeric products on knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.BMC Complement Med Ther · PMID 40731001
  48. Effects of curcumin on serum inflammatory biomarkers in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC Complement Med Ther · PMID 40615851
  49. Curcumin Lowers Serum Lipids and Uric Acid in Subjects With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled TrialJ Cardiovasc Pharmacol · PMID 27124606
  50. The effects of curcumin supplementation on liver enzymes, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseaseEur J Clin Nutr · PMID 30610213
  51. Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Curcumin: A Randomized Placebo-controlled TrialPhytother Res · PMID 27270872
  52. Nano-curcumin improves glucose indices, lipids, inflammation, and Nesfatin in overweight and obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trialNutr Metab · PMID 30705687
  53. Curcumin as adjuvant treatment in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) disease: A systematic review and meta-analysisComplement Ther Med · PMID 35661765
  54. Turmeric Supplementation Improves Serum Glucose Indices and Leptin Levels in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver DiseasesJ Am Coll Nutr · PMID 28443702
  55. Does Turmeric/curcumin Supplementation Change Anthropometric Indices in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Clin Nutr Res · PMID 31384598
  56. Highly bioavailable micellar curcuminoids accumulate in blood, are safe and do not reduce blood lipids and inflammation markers in moderately hyperlipidemic individualsMol Nutr Food Res · PMID 26909743
  57. Efficacy of Turmeric as Adjuvant Therapy in Type 2 Diabetic PatientsIndian J Clin Biochem · PMID 25883426
  58. Effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on lipid profile: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Complement Ther Med · PMID 37230418
  59. Bread enriched with phytosterols with or without curcumin modulates lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trialFood Funct · PMID 30990213
  60. The Effect of Curcumin on some of Traditional and Non-traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Pilot Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled TrialIran J Pharm Res · PMID 25901155
  61. Effect of Curcumin on Serum Urate in Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled TrialJ Diet Suppl · PMID 32420786
  62. Effect of turmeric on glycemic status, lipid profile, hs-CRP, and total antioxidant capacity in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetes mellitus patientsPhytother Res · PMID 30859660
  63. Effects of phytosomal curcumin on anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance, cortisolemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease indices: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialEur J Nutr · PMID 30796508
  64. Highly absorptive curcumin reduces serum atherosclerotic low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with mild COPDInt J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · PMID 27616885
  65. Curcumin potentiates cholesterol-lowering effects of phytosterols in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trialMetabolism · PMID 29291429
  66. Curcuminoids modify lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trialComplement Ther Med · PMID 28735818
  67. Diverse effects of a low dose supplement of lipidated curcumin in healthy middle aged peopleNutr J · PMID 23013352
  68. Effects of supplementation with curcuminoids on dyslipidemia in obese patients: a randomized crossover trialPhytother Res · PMID 22610853
  69. Curcumin effects on blood lipid profile in a 6-month human studyPharmacol Res · PMID 17951067
  70. The effect of nano-curcumin on HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile in diabetic subjects: a randomized clinical trialAvicenna J Phytomed · PMID 27761427
  71. Effects of Curcuminoids Plus Piperine on Glycemic, Hepatic and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled TrialDrug Res · PMID 29458218
  72. Curcumin attenuates urinary excretion of albumin in type II diabetic patients with enhancing nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) system and repressing inflammatory signaling efficaciesExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · PMID 25875220
  73. The effects of curcumin supplementation on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, serum adiponectin, and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialPhytother Res · PMID 30864188
  74. Reduction of atherogenic risk in patients with type 2 diabetes by curcuminoid extract: a randomized controlled trialJ Nutr Biochem · PMID 24445038
  75. Curcuminoids exert glucose-lowering effect in type 2 diabetes by decreasing serum free fatty acids: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trialMol Nutr Food Res · PMID 22930403
  76. Nano curcumin supplementation reduced the severity of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind placebo- controlled clinical trialComplement Ther Med · PMID 30935539
  77. Curcumin extract for prevention of type 2 diabetesDiabetes Care · PMID 22773702
  78. The effect of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on anthropometric indices in subjects with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutr Diabetes · PMID 40813857
  79. The effects of curcumin-containing supplements on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Phytother Res · PMID 30402990
  80. Curcumin on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 103 Randomized Controlled Trials.Phytother Res · PMID 39478418
  81. Effects of Curcumin on Postmenopausal Women's Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Phytother Res · PMID 40105038
  82. The effect of curcumin supplementation on weight loss and anthropometric indices: an umbrella review and updated meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.Am J Clin Nutr · PMID 36898635
  83. Curcumin ingestion and exercise training improve vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal womenNutr Res · PMID 23146777
  84. Effect of endurance exercise training and curcumin intake on central arterial hemodynamics in postmenopausal women: pilot studyAm J Hypertens · PMID 22421908
  85. Curcumin for depression: a meta-analysisCrit Rev Food Sci Nutr · PMID 31423805
  86. Efficacy of curcumin, and a saffron/curcumin combination for the treatment of major depression: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyJ Affect Disord · PMID 27723543
  87. Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled studyJ Affect Disord · PMID 25046624
  88. Chronic Supplementation of Curcumin Enhances the Efficacy of Antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot StudyJ Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 26066335
  89. Curcumin as an add-on to antidepressive treatment: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical studyClin Neuropharmacol · PMID 23673908
  90. Add-on Treatment with Curcumin Has Antidepressive Effects in Thai Patients with Major Depression: Results of a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled StudyNeurotox Res · PMID 29327213
  91. Influence of red pepper spice and turmeric on inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers in overweight females: a metabolomics approachPlant Foods Hum Nutr · PMID 23150126
  92. The effectiveness of fermented turmeric powder in subjects with elevated alanine transaminase levels: a randomised controlled studyBMC Complement Altern Med · PMID 23497020
  93. Effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on liver function in adults: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Complement Ther Med · PMID 37178581
  94. Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialComplement Ther Med · PMID 26051565
  95. The Effects of Curcumin on Weight Loss Among Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Front Pharmacol · PMID 31249528
  96. Clinical efficacy of the co-administration of Turmeric and Black seeds (Kalongi) in metabolic syndrome - a double blind randomized controlled trial - TAK-MetS trialComplement Ther Med · PMID 25847554
  97. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcuminoid-piperine combination in subjects with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial and an updated meta-analysisClin Nutr · PMID 25618800
  98. Effects of Nanocurcumin Supplementation on Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Pharmacol Res · PMID 39894187
  99. Lipid-modifying effects of adjunctive therapy with curcuminoids-piperine combination in patients with metabolic syndrome: results of a randomized controlled trialComplement Ther Med · PMID 25440375
  100. A Novel Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Formulation Improves Symptoms and Diagnostic Indicators in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Two-Dose, Three-Arm, and Parallel-Group StudyJ Med Food · PMID 28850308