Chlorophylls is often used as a food additive or health supplement, and is believed to have anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic, anti-mutagenic, anti-odor, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, detoxifying and other effects.
What are the benefits of chlorophyll in empirical medicine? Are there any side effects of chlorophyll? See text analysis for details
What is chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is a fat-soluble green pigment found mostly in green plants and seaweed, which absorbs sunlight and promotes photosynthesis (to synthesize carbon dioxide and water to make food for plants).
Its basic structure is a heme-like porphyrin ring, with magnesium in the center atom rather than iron.
What is the difference between chlorophyll and chlorophyllin?
Chlorophyll supplements are made in part from seaweed (chlorella), and because natural chlorophyll is less stable, easily degradable, and relatively expensive, most over-the-counter chlorophyll supplements are actually the main component of chlorophyllin.
Chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll (usually taken from relatively readily available fescue and alfalfa plants) combined with sodium copper salts (sodium-copper salts), also known as sodium copper chlorophyllin, which is water-soluble and does not require fat to assist absorption.
What are the proven benefits of chlorophyll?
1. Chlorophyll is beneficial for allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is an underappreciated inflammation of the nasal mucosa defined as at least two nasal symptoms, including runny nose, blockage, sneezing, and itchy nose.
Mainly caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inhalation allergen reactions, it predisposes to work, school, sleep problems, and reduced outdoor activities in children.
Typical allergens include seasonal pollen and mold, as well as indoor perennial allergens such as dust mites, pets, pests, and some mold.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (12 weeks, 66 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis) showed that oral chlorophyll capsules (0.7 mg daily dose) reduced the need for additional allergy medication (measured by rescue medication scores (RMSs)). Note 1
*Conclusion: Chlorophyll may be of positive help in improving seasonal allergic rhinitis, but limited by the small sample size, more studies are needed to confirm its clinical benefit
2. Chlorophyll prevents aflatoxin-associated liver cancer
Aflatoxin is mainly produced by the fungi koji flavus, parasitic koji mold and nomes koji mold, which parasitize corn, oilseeds, spices, peanuts, tree nuts, milk and dried fruits and other foods, especially koji oxin B1 is the most abundant and toxic member of the family (listed by the World Health Organization as a class A carcinogen).
Among the many risk factors for liver cancer, hepatitis B and C virus infection, xanthophorexin exposure, heavy alcohol consumption, and iron overload are the most common.
Once koji myxotoxin is ingested, its metabolite AFB1-N7-guanine is considered an important biomarker for measuring DNA damage.
One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled (4-month study of 180 healthy adults) reported that urine AFB1-N7-guanine levels were 55% lower in the chlorophyll group than in the placebo group. Note 2
*Conclusion: For high-risk groups exposed to koji toxin, chlorophyll intake can reduce AFB1-N7-guanine, which may be of positive help in preventing liver cancer
3. Chlorophyll helps control body odor
The chemical complexity of body odor allows it to convey a variety of biological and social information, and in humans and animals, the signals hidden in body odor are thought to aid mate selection, individual identification, kinship detection, and gender differentiation.
While body odor can produce spontaneous attribution of personality traits, unpleasant body odor is often less desirable and is also considered a warning sign or indicator of potential health risks, although it does not necessarily directly cause health problems.
A study (62 patients in a geriatric nursing home) pointed out that taking chlorophyll has a certain effect on controlling body odor and fecal odor, but also reduces the occurrence of constipation and flatulence. Note 3
Another study pointed out that for patients with trimethylaminuria (also known as stinky fish, a rare disease in which the body cannot break down trimethylamine), oral chlorophyll can significantly reduce the concentration of trimethylamine in the urine. Note 4
*Trimethylamine is described as smelling like spoiled fish/eggs, garbage, or urine, and when this compound accumulates in the body, it gives off a strong fishy smell in sweat, urine, and breath.
*Conclusion: Oral chlorophyll may have a positive effect on improving body odor, but limited by the small sample size, more large trials are needed to confirm its clinical benefit
4. Chlorophyll improves acne (acne)
Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory sebaceous gland disease characterized by blackheads, papules, pustules, inflammatory nodules, epidermal cysts, pustules, and although it does not affect general health, it can cause scarring and psychological distress in severe cases.
Lesions are most common on the face, but the neck, chest, upper back and shoulders can also be affected, and more than 80% of adolescents suffer from pimples, which can last up to 3% of men and 12% of women beyond the age of 25.
One controlled study (4-week, 24 pimple patients) used photodynamic therapy and the other used topical chlorophyll liposomal complex with phototherapy. Note 5
The results showed that the acne damage count, severity grading, and sebum levels in the chlorophyll group were significantly lower than those who used phototherapy alone.
*Conclusion: Chlorophyll-photodynamic therapy has a positive effect on improving acne, especially in subjects who do not respond well or are contraindicated to conventional treatment
5. Chlorophyll prevents colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the most common malignant disease of the gastrointestinal tract, ranking third and second in the incidence of male cancer and female cancer, and the main risk factors include advanced age, family history, male sex, lifestyle (smoking, high consumption of red and processed meat, obesity, diabetes and excessive alcohol consumption).
However, it is also one of the most preventable cancers because it almost always originates from benign tumors, also known as tubular adenomas and serrated polyps, that take many years to evolve into colorectal cancer.
Therefore, early detection and removal of precancerous adenomas is essential to prevent malignant transformation of polyps.
A population-watching study (9.3 years, 120,852 participants) found that increased dietary heme iron intake and decreased chlorophyll intake were associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in men. Note 6
*Conclusion: Higher dietary chlorophyll intake is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer
Are there any side effects of chlorophyll?
Oral chlorophyll is safe for most people, and possible side effects that have been reported include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
Oral chlorophyll may cause urine or stool to turn green or black (normal)
Safety precautions (6 contraindications for use)
1. When applied topically to wounds, it may cause a slight burning or itching sensation
2. Do not use if pregnant, child or lactating women (due to unknown safety)
3. Do not use for poor liver and kidney function (due to unknown related safety)
4. May lead to false positive results in fecal occult blood tests
5. Possible allergic reactions (symptoms include rash, swelling of the face/lips/tongue or throat, especially those who have been allergic to fruits, vegetables and nuts)
6. Do not use it with drugs that may increase photosensitivity (chlorophyll may increase the chance of photosensitivity, and if used together, it may increase the chance of sunburn, blistering or redness of the skin exposed to the sun.)
* Possible photosensitizing drugs include the following:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics NSAIDs: ibuprofen, diclofenac
Diuretics: furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
Tricyclic antidepressants: Amitriptyline
Antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, lomefloxacin, ofloxacin (lomefloxacin), levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, Tetracycline
Fungicide: Trimethoprim
Psoriasis, leukoplakia medication: methoxsalen, trioxsalen (trimethalin)
Oral A-acid: isotretinoin, acitretin
Hypoglycemic medications: glipizide, glyburide (euglycemic lowering)
Statin cholesterol-lowering drugs: atorvastatin, fluvastatin
Anti-mold drugs: itraconazole, griseofulvin
Where can I buy the highest quality Chlorophyll that is recommended by most people?
| NOW Foods, Chlorophyll, 100 mg, 90 Veg Capsules (Direct shipping from the United States / Worldwide delivery) |
Product Features： Super Green Free Radical Scavenger With Alfalfa Powder Non-GMO A Dietary Supplement Kosher Botanicals/Herbs Family Owned Since 1968 GMP Quality Assured | |
