| Ingredients | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| 600 mg | |
|
(Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin)
(mulberry-leaf-derived sodium copper chlorophyllin)
|
50 mg |
|
(Medicago sativa )
(leaf)
(certified organic)
|
400 mg |
|
(aerial parts)
(herb)
|
150 mg |
Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose, Rice Bran Extract PlantPart: bran, Silica
Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Chlorophyll Complex. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product Chlorophyll Complex. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when the leaves are used orally and appropriately, short-term (4,6,12).
LIKELY UNSAFE ...when large amounts are used long-term. Chronic ingestion of alfalfa has been associated with drug-induced lupus effects (381,14828,30602).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally in medicinal amounts.
Alfalfa contains constituents with possible estrogenic activity (4,11,30592).
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in amounts commonly found in foods. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of chlorophyll when used orally in medicinal amounts or when used topically or as an injection.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available.
LIKELY SAFE ...when consumed in the amounts found in foods. Chlorophyllin is permitted for use as a coloring agent in limited quantities in foods (5630).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally, short-term. Chlorophyllin has been used with apparent safety at a dose of up to 300 mg daily for up to 3 months (1321,1323,41847,41839,101244). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of chlorophyllin when used orally, long-term. Most chlorophyllin supplements contain copper in concentrations of around 4%, or 4 mg copper per 100 mg chlorophyllin (105553). The tolerable upper intake level for copper in adults is 10 mg daily, with an average dietary intake in the United States of approximately 1-1.5 mg daily. Long-term consumption of high levels of copper can lead to serious adverse effects (7135). The bioavailability of copper from chlorophyllin is unclear; until more is known, use with caution. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of chlorophyllin when used topically.
CHILDREN:
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of chlorophyllin in children.
However, most chlorophyllin supplements contain copper in concentrations of around 4%, or 4 mg copper per 100 mg chlorophyllin (105553). The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for copper by age is 1 mg daily for children 1-3 years, 3 mg daily for children 4-8 years, 5 mg daily for children 9-13 years, and 8 mg daily for adolescents (7135). The bioavailability of copper from chlorophyllin is unclear; until more is known, use with caution.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Chlorophyll Complex. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
Theoretically, alfalfa might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
 Details
|
Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with the activity of contraceptive drugs.
Details
|
Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with hormone therapy.
Details
|
Theoretically, alfalfa might decrease the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy.
Details
|
Theoretically, concomitant use of alfalfa with photosensitizing drugs might have additive effects.
Details
Animal research suggests that excessive doses of alfalfa may increase photosensitivity, possibly due to its chlorophyll content (106043). It is unclear if this effect would be clinically relevant in humans.
|
Theoretically, alfalfa might reduce the anticoagulant activity of warfarin.
Details
|
Theoretically, chlorophyll may reduce the clearance of methotrexate.
Details
In one case report, a 54-year-old male developed delayed clearance of intravenous high-dose methotrexate with concomitant use of chlorophyll. When chlorophyll was stopped 2 days prior to methotrexate treatment, methotrexate clearance was unaffected (93891).
|
Theoretically, concomitant use of chlorophyll with photosensitizing drugs may have additive effects.
Details
|
Theoretically, concomitant use of chlorophyllin with photosensitizing drugs may have additive effects.
Details
|
Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Chlorophyll Complex. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General
...Orally, alfalfa leaf seems to be well tolerated.
However, a thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and flatulence.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Lupus-like syndrome after chronic ingestion of alfalfa.
Dermatologic ...Dermatitis associated with alfalfa use has been reported. In a 1954 publication, dermatitis was noted in a 61-year-old female consuming 4-6 cups of tea made with two tablespoonfuls of alfalfa seeds for approximately two months prior to onset. Examination revealed diffuse, confluent edema and erythema on the face, eyelids, ears, hands, forearms, and distal humeral regions. The dermatitis improved with treatment; re-exposure to alfalfa resulted in a similar reaction (30609).
Endocrine
...Alfalfa contains constituents, including coumestrol, with reported estrogenic activity (30586,30592,4753).
Effects in humans are not known.
One case report documents hypokalemia in a female who had been drinking a "cleansing tea" containing alfalfa, licorice, and stinging nettle. The potassium level returned to normal after discontinuing the tea and initiating potassium supplementation. The specific cause of the hypokalemia is not clear. Notably, both stinging nettle and licorice have been associated with hypokalemia and may have been responsible for this effect (30562).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, flatulence and bulkier feces were reported during the first week of a case series of three subjects ingesting alfalfa (30598). In a case series of 15 patients ingesting alfalfa, increased fecal volume and increased stool frequency was reported. Additional adverse effects included abdominal discomfort in two patients, diarrhea in two patients, loose stools in six patients, and intestinal gas in 13 patients (5816).
Hematologic ...Pancytopenia and splenomegaly were reported in a 59-year-old male who had been taking 80-160 grams of ground alfalfa seeds for up to six weeks at a time, for a five month period. Hematologic values and spleen size returned to normal when alfalfa was discontinued (381).
Other
...Alfalfa products, including sprouts, seeds, and tablets, have been found to be contaminated with Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes, which have caused documented infections (5600,30566,30568,30572,30569,30564,30604,30610,30563,30607) (30566,30564,30604,30610,30563,30607,30576).
Orally, alfalfa has been associated with the development of a lupus-like syndrome in animals and humans (30594,14828,14830,30602), as well as with possible exacerbations of lupus in patients with known systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These reactions may be associated with the amino acid L-canavanine (30594), which appears to be present in alfalfa seeds and sprouts, but not leaves, and therefore should not be present in alfalfa tablets manufactured from the leaves (30601). However, case reports have included individuals ingesting tablets. A lupus-like syndrome was described in four patients taking 12-24 alfalfa tablets per day. Symptoms included arthralgias, myalgias, and rash; positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) arose anywhere from three weeks to seven months after initiating alfalfa therapy. Upon discontinuation of alfalfa tablets, all four patients became asymptomatic. In two patients, ANA levels normalized (14828). Two additional reports have documented possible exacerbation or induction of SLE associated with alfalfa use. One case involved a female with a 26-year history of SLE, who had been taking 15 tablets of alfalfa daily for nine months prior to an exacerbation. Because of the delay in onset of the exacerbation from the initiation of alfalfa therapy, causation cannot be clearly established (30575). In a different report, SLE and arthritis were found in multiple family members who had been taking a combination of vitamin E and alfalfa tablets for seven years (30602). It is not known what other environmental or genetic factors may have affected these individuals, and the association with alfalfa is unclear.
General
...Orally, topically, or intravenously, significant adverse effects have not been reported.
However, a thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Photosensitization.
Topically: Dermatitis, photosensitization.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Pseudoporphyria.
Dermatologic ...Topically, chlorophyll cream has been reported to cause dermatitis (41912). Orally, chlorophyll can cause photosensitization (1326). Certain carotenoids such as beta-carotene and canthaxanthin seem to prevent or lessen the photosensitivity that results from taking chlorophyll (1326). Oral consumption of chlorophyll has been associated with the development of pseudoporphyria in case reports. Two females developed easily traumatized blisters on their hands after consumption of a Swisse Chlorophyll drink (93892). In one case series, four males developed skin blisters and skin erosions after taking oral chlorophyll 100-1200 mg daily for 6.5 months up to 7 years. Resolution of symptoms was delayed for 2-8 months after chlorophyll discontinuation (97933).
General ...Orally, chlorophyllin seems to be well tolerated when used for up to 3 months. However, a thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
Dermatologic ...Since chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll, there is some concern that it could cause similar adverse effects. Topically, chlorophyll cream has been reported to cause dermatitis (41912). Orally, chlorophyll can cause photosensitization (1326). In case reports, oral consumption of chlorophyll has been associated with the development of pseudoporphyria. Two females developed easily traumatized blisters on their hands after consumption of a Swisse Chlorophyll drink (93892). In one case series, four males developed skin blisters and skin erosions after taking oral chlorophyll 100-1200 mg daily for 6.5 months up to 7 years. Resolution of symptoms was delayed for 2-8 months after chlorophyll discontinuation (97933). To date, chlorophyllin has not been reported to cause similar adverse effects; however, in vitro toxicology research suggests that chlorophyllin is phototoxic (101235).
