I take 3 capsules of avtivated charcoal every day , I 've been taking it for a while now ,I'm not sure if it soaks up alot of mercury ,all I can tell you that when I stopped taking it in the past then would notice my symtoms a little bit more , so for now I'll take it untill I don't need to take it anymore , the key is to take it 2 hours from suppliments , food or medications