Chlorophyll: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Chlorophyllin
Scientific name(s)
Chlorophyll
Family or group:
Phytosubstances
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Unpleasant odors ✪✪✪✪✪
Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin are used to combat odors: fighting bad breath and body odors. However, clinical research shows that chlorophyll intake does not reduce ostomy odor (a stoma connecting the colon to the abdominal wall) compared to a placebo.
Posologie
Oral administration
100 mg
Herpes ✪✪✪✪✪
For patients with the herpes simplex virus, clinical evidence shows that the topical application of chlorophyll on herpes lesions, in the form of cream or saline solution, 3 to 6 times a day, seems effective in promoting the regression of lesions. Chlorophyll stops viral multiplication and the development of lesions related to herpes simplex viruses.
Posologie
Topical application
cream
Leukopenia ✪✪✪✪✪
Initial evidence suggests that chlorophyll supplementation leads to an increase in leukocytes and a reduction in dizziness and fatigue in patients with leukopenia. Sodium copper chlorophyllin has a hematological effect similar to Leucogen, increasing the number of leukocytes and improving symptoms in patients with leukopenia.
Posologie
Oral administration
120 mg
chlorophyllin
Acne ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research among young adults with acne shows that applying leaves containing chlorophyll to one side of the face for 30 minutes twice a week, combined with LED (light-emitting diode) irradiation, improves acne severity and reduces the number of lesions more effectively than LED irradiation alone after 2 weeks of treatment.
Posologie
Oral administration
2 - weeks
Detoxification ✪✪✪✪✪
In vitro evidence suggests that chlorophyll may be useful as a chemopreventive agent due to its ability to inhibit the tumorigenic effects of carcinogens and enhance the detoxification of toxins involved in cancer promotion. In a clinical trial, chlorophyllin reduced aflatoxin levels (by 55%) in urine compared with a placebo. Chlorophyll has a porphyrin ring which has an affinity with the flat surface of certain molecules, potentially allowing it to trap HCA or PAH. Furthermore, chlorophyll can decrease the absorption of dietary carcinogens by forming tight complexes with carcinogens and inhibiting cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP). It has been established that heterocyclic amines (HCA) are carcinogenic chemicals formed when amino acids, sugars, and creatine in muscle meats (beef, pork, fish, and poultry) react with each other during high-temperature cooking.
Posologie
Oral administration
100 mg
Cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Chlorophyll has anticarcinogenic effects. Chlorophyll and its metabolite pheophorbide-a may inhibit the proliferation of certain cells and induce apoptosis in some tumor cells (leukemic or breast cancer cells). Additionally, chlorophyll and its derivative, chlorophyllin, can form complexes with carcinogens, reducing their bioavailability. This helps decrease the risk of developing certain cancers, such as liver cancer: chlorophyllin reduces aflatoxin biomarkers found in urine.
Posologie
Oral administration
100 mg
Properties
Antioxidant
Chlorophyll contains antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids that fight against free radicals.
Antimicrobial
In human research, topical chlorophyll has been found to stop the viral multiplication of herpes and the development of lesions linked to herpes simplex viruses. Some studies have demonstrated its effectiveness on infected wounds by slowing the development of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.
Usages associés
Hematological effect
In human research, the administration of chlorophyll increases the number of leukocytes (white blood cells) in peripheral blood. Sodium copper chlorophyllin has a hematological effect similar to Leucogen, increasing the number of leukocytes and improving symptoms in patients with leukopenia.
Usages associés
Anticancer
In vitro, chlorophyll derivatives appear to have a cytotoxic effect on certain cancer cells and seem to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Chlorophyll and its metabolite pheophorbide-a may inhibit the proliferation of certain cells, inducing apoptosis in some tumor cells (leukemic, or breast cancer cells). Additionally, chlorophyll and its derivative, chlorophyllin, can form complexes with carcinogens, reducing their bioavailability. This helps decrease the risk of developing certain cancers, such as liver cancer: chlorophyllin reduces aflatoxin biomarkers found in urine. Chlorophyllin also inhibits the absorption of certain heterocyclic aromatic amines, which are potential carcinogens. Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin reduce the risk of gastrointestinal cancer by altering the genotoxic effects of certain toxins.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years old: 100 mg
The oral use of chlorophyll is safe for adults. The dose usually recommended by manufacturers is 100 mg per day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Photosensitizers: moderate interaction
Medications that increase sun sensitivity (photosensitizing drugs) interact with chlorophyll, which also has the same effect. Thus, coadministration may increase the risk of sunburn and skin rashes.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Avoid the use of chlorophyll by pregnant women due to a lack of information.
Nursing women: avoid
Avoid the use of chlorophyll by nursing women due to a lack of information.
