Why the Internet Is Obsessed with Liquid Chlorophyll; Benefits, Risks, and Uses

What is liquid chlorophyll? Herein are the benefits of liquid chlorophyll, the dangers of liquid chlorophyll, and the instructions on how to take it.

Although liquid chlorophyll has taken over the internet, is it a game-changer in health or simply another craze? Taking chlorophyllin as a supplement is a semi-synthetic type of chlorophyll you may consume. Chlorophyll-derived sodium-copper salts are used to make it. Social media influencers promote this substance's advantages, which some claim include weight reduction, acne therapy, cancer prevention, and blood cell creation. While some studies have shown that chlorophylls from plants and liquid chlorophyll may have some health advantages, the studies have been limited, and additional study is required. Here are some assertions concerning liquid chlorophyll (chlorophyllin) and their scientific evidence.

Health Benefits

An Improved Liver Detoxification

Chlorophyll can boost the liver's capacity to eliminate waste and toxins from the body. Detoxification is the term for this procedure. The characteristics of chlorophyll were presented 30 years ago in research on human and rat livers. Chlorophyllin, a sodium/copper salt of chlorophyll, was discovered to be able to prevent liver damage and maybe liver cancer by improving the detoxification process in this study.

It's Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties

Oxidative cell damage may be prevented or delayed by chlorophyll, which has antioxidant capabilities. This characteristic has been related to possible anticancer effects. According to Vankova et al. (2018), pancreatic cancer cells are considerably decreased by chlorophyll. The study above also concluded that chlorophyll might "contribute to lower cancer incidence among persons who eat green vegetables." According to Carpenter et al. (2013), inhabitants were at high risk of liver cancer due to levels of cancer-causing chemicals in agricultural products. The study above suggested that the effects of chlorophyll were examined on around 100 human volunteers. The study above also discovered that those receiving chlorophyll had a 55% drop in aflatoxin levels compared to those taking a placebo, with no reported side effects.

It May Treat Hemoglobin Deficiency

Liquid chlorophyll functions as a "blood builder."It can boost the number and quality of red blood cells. Hemoglobin, a substance found in red blood cells, has a molecular structure extremely similar to chlorophyll. Chauhan (2014) showed that patients with hemoglobin deficiencies, such as anemia, may benefit from chlorophyll therapy due to its almost comparable chemical composition.

Deodorant for the Inside of Your Body

Siriwatanametanon (2017) suggested that chlorophyll may help reduce body odor. When the body's ability to convert trimethylamine (a strong-smelling molecule in the stomach) into another chemical that doesn't smell is impaired, it produces a strong, fishy stench. Schmidt et al. (2020) examined the effects of chlorophyllin on individuals with TMAU. In patients treated with chlorophyllin, non-smelling compounds were found in increased concentrations. Chlorophyllin may be useful in enhancing the quality of life of persons suffering from TMAU.

Helps You Lose Weight

Chlorophyll has been studied in people in a limited number of trials to see whether it aids in a healthy reduction of weight. In a study by Roberts et al. (2016) of overweight adults, weight loss was boosted by taking chlorophyll supplements in combination with a high-carbohydrate meal. Rahmna et al. (2022) suggested that adding chlorophyll to high-carb meals may help people lose weight over time.

The Dangers of Using Liquid Chlorophyll

It's OK to take chlorophyll in liquid form. Chlorophyll is used as a dietary supplement. However, some people need to pay attention to their calorie consumption. According to Buchovek et al. (2016), taking supplements rich in chlorophyll or chlorophyllin for an extended period may cause photosensitization. Exposure to sunlight may cause photosensitization, a mild but annoying adverse effect.

Supplementing with chlorophyll and chlorophyllin may worsen any pre-existing photosensitivity due to other prescription drugs. Chlorophyll or chlorophyllin should be avoided by patients using methotrexate, which is used to treat severe psoriasis and malignancies, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Chlorophyll may slow methotrexate clearance or the rate at which methotrexate is eliminated from the system. Chlorophyllin supplementation is linked to a small increase in copper toxicity. There is "definitely a danger of poisoning" since the copper content in a normal serving of chlorophyllin exceeds the recommended daily dose. There are no confirmed instances. Less severe adverse effects include green urine or stool, yellow or black tongue discoloration, and diarrhea linked with oral chlorophyll.

Liquid Chlorophyll Taking Instructions

Liquid chlorophyllin is available in a liquid form and is often sold by the bottle. Depending on your purchasing type, you may drink it straight or combine it with water or juice. Other chlorophyll supplements may be found in powder, pill, or capsule form. Powder supplements are preferable to avoid lead contamination and poor dissolvability. You must begin with a modest dosage and gradually raise it only if you can handle it. Diarrhea and urine/stool staining are possible gastrointestinal side effects of chlorophyllin. Always check with your doctor before taking any supplement, as there may be medication interactions and adverse consequences for long-term health issues.

Contraindication

Chlorophyll-related adverse effects are infrequent, according to current studies. There is inadequate data to conclude whether or not liquid chlorophyll is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Taking supplements high in chlorophyll may inhibit several prescription drugs. They may affect the effectiveness of drugs, enhancing the body's sun sensitivity. With photosensitizing medicines, chlorophyll may exacerbate sunburn and skin damage.

Conclusion

Chlorophyll is a green pigment in plants that absorbs sunlight's rays and converts them into food. Plants and many green vegetables are also rich in chlorophyll, which is responsible for their green hue. Liquid chlorophyll is a semi-synthetic counterpart of the chlorophyll that plants produce. Research on the health benefits of liquid chlorophyll is still in its infancy, but encouraging results have been found in cancer prevention, acne therapy, and weight reduction. See your doctor before taking any supplements, which also goes for liquid chlorophyll. Liquid chlorophyll supplements are available at most health food shops. The best method to obtain chlorophyll is to consume fruits and vegetables that contain it. Chlorophyll is generally safe for most individuals to ingest. However, it's advisable to drink this supplement sparingly and instead depend on whole foods like veggies for your nutritional needs.

References

Carpenter, D. O., & Bushkin-Bedient, S. (2013). Exposure To Chemicals And Radiation During Childhood And Risk For Cancer Later In Life. Journal Of Adolescent Health, 52(5), S21-S29.

Chauhan, M. (2014). A Pilot Study On Wheat Grass Juice For Its Phytochemical, Nutritional, And Therapeutic Potential On Chronic Diseases. International Journal Of Chemical Studies, 2(4), 27-34.

Rahman, M. M., Islam, M. R., Shohag, S., Hossain, M. E., Rahaman, M. S., Islam, F., ... & Cavalu, S. (2022). The Multifunctional Role Of Herbal Products In The Management Of Diabetes And Obesity: A Comprehensive Review. Molecules, 27(5), 1713.

Roberts, J. L., & Moreau, R. (2016). Functional Properties Of Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.) Phytochemicals And Bioactive. Food & Function, 7(8), 3337-3353.

Schmidt, A. C., & Leroux, J. C. (2020). Treatments Of Trimethylaminuria: Where We Are And Where We Might Be Heading. Drug Discovery Today, 25(9), 1710-1717.

Siriwatanametanon, N. (2017). Warfarin-Chlorophyll Products, Herb-Drug Interactions. Pharm Sci Asia, 44, 173-189.

Vaňková, K., Marková, I., Jašprová, J., Dvořák, A., Subhanová, I., Zelenka, J., ... & Vítek, L. (2018). Chlorophyll-Mediated Changes In The Redox Status Of Pancreatic Cancer Cells Are Associated With Its Anticancer Effects: Oxidative Medicine And Cellular Longevity, 2018.