You may have heard of chlorophyll as the substance that gives green plants their color. However, it is also used as a supplement in tablet or liquid chlorophyll form. There are claims it can be beneficial in several areas, such as for skin improvement, weight loss, and body detoxification, among other uses. While there is limited research on chlorophyll to substantiate some of these purported benefits, the existing information on the substance shows promise.
Chlorophyll is a plant component that is responsible for giving plants their green color. The two types of naturally occurring chlorophyll - chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b - are active in aiding plants in converting water and sunlight into energy. Familiar plants like broccoli, green beans, kale, and spinach all contain chlorophyll.
Liquid chlorophyll, which people commonly add to their water, is different from that which naturally occurs in plants. It is a man-made or synthetic form of chlorophyll referred to as “chlorophyllin.” This version of chlorophyll is produced in a lab, where small modifications are made to the chlorophyll in its natural state.
It is well known that naturally-occurring chlorophyll absorbs different wavelengths of light in plants to help with photosynthesis. However, researchers have yet to establish how exactly liquid chlorophyll works in humans. There are limited studies that address this. Thus, many of the claims are based on personal accounts and very small, uncontrolled studies. More research is needed to clarify the benefits and mechanism of action of liquid chlorophyll.
Limited studies suggest that liquid chlorophyll use provides some health benefits. These include:
There is some evidence that suggests that liquid chlorophyll may help to support weight loss. Research shows that chlorophyll could play a role in suppressing a person’s appetite and the amount of food consumed.
In one study involving 38 females who took a supplement with chlorophyll as an active ingredient once per day, participants experienced greater weight loss than another group of participants who didn’t take the same supplement. Those that took the supplement also saw a reduction in their cholesterol levels. However, it’s unclear which ingredient in the supplement actually caused this result.
In another study, researchers allowed one of two groups of participants to consume a green-plant extract with 3,000 milligrams of chlorophyll in order to compare weight loss between the two groups. Researchers found that, after 90 days, the group that took the supplement experienced greater weight loss than the group that didn’t. Also, the supplement minimized hunger, particularly for sugary foods. However, researchers found no relevant changes in blood sugar levels between the groups.
Research suggests that chlorophyllin could potentially help prevent cancer. Essentially, it appears that chlorophyll has antioxidant properties that play a role in keeping cancer at bay.
According to findings from one study, chlorophyll could impact the balance of both antioxidants and oxidants in pancreatic cancer cells, having an anti-proliferative effect. As such, this could help minimize pancreatic cancer growth and could contribute to decreased incidence of this cancer (Vaňková, K, et al). This suggests that liquid chlorophyll has the potential to be an anti-cancer agent.
However, the limited studies that are available give little insight into the mechanism behind the connection between cancer risk and chlorophyll. As such, more studies are needed.
Liquid chlorophyll supplements are believed to have the potential to address certain skin concerns. These skin problems include acne, wrinkles, and fine lines. Although research on the subject is limited, there is some evidence to suggest that a combination of chlorophyll-containing products and light therapy could be effective to address particular skin concerns.
For instance, in one study, a combination of a topical cream that had chlorophyllin as an ingredient, plus light therapy, was shown to be effective at improving acne. In four weeks, participants saw improvements in their skin. It's not clear if chlorophyll would be effective alone.
There is some indication from research that chlorophyll can improve liver detoxification. The compound appears to enhance the liver’s natural toxin and waste elimination process. One early study supports these properties of chlorophyll, specifically showing that chlorophyllin fights against liver damage by boosting the effectiveness of the body’s detoxification process.
Liquid chlorophyll is sometimes called the “blood builder” because of its potential to not only increase red blood cell count, but to also boost their quality. The red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which has some chemical structural similarity to chlorophyll. As a result of this characteristic, chlorophyll could potentially be an effective solution for patients with hemoglobin deficiency, such as anemia.
A 2016 study suggests that chlorophyll can improve anemia symptoms in patients. Additionally, other research findings indicate that grass drinks high in chlorophyll could be an effective option to tackle hemoglobin deficiencies. This is because of the antioxidant properties of chlorophyll and its molecular structure.
If you are dealing with a fishy body odor, which is a medical condition called trimethylaminuria, liquid chlorophyll may be beneficial to try as a potential remedy.
One study’s findings indicate that chlorophyllin significantly decreases the number of odor-causing molecules called trimethylamines. These are the source of the fishy smell. It can also reduce odors resulting from bacteria. For this purpose, it is often used as a mouthwash or in tablet form.
Since liquid chlorophyll has the potential to enhance the body’s production of red blood cells, a resulting benefit could be an improvement in energy levels. One of the functions of red blood cells is to carry the oxygen through the body needed for energy production and cellular function. The boost in circulating oxygen enhances both energy levels and physical stamina in the body.
Research has shown that chlorophyll increases mitochondria, referred to as the powerhouses of the cells in the body, where it donate electrons to coenzyme Q-10. As a result, ATP production increases, enhancing energy production in the body.
Liquid chlorophyll has the potential to boost energy, and as such, it may help manage certain symptoms related to Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS). Chronic stress can impact your NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response by causing it to overwork. The body goes into overdrive to produce more cortisol, the stress hormone, but it can’t keep up, depleting the adrenals. Symptoms such as sugar and salt cravings, fatigue, and weight gain can result from AFS. However, AFS can also make you more sensitive to new supplements, so talk to a doctor aware of AFS about the use of liquid chlorophyll to manage these symptoms before buying it.
Liquid chlorophyll supplements are administered orally. You may require a dropper or tablespoon to measure it depending on the particular product that you are using. As such, you may add drops of liquid chlorophyll to water, juice, or some other beverage. Also, it’s also possible to ingest liquid chlorophyll undiluted by itself, if its earthy taste doesn't bother you. The supplement may also be available in a powder form that is typically mixed into beverages.
The precise amount of chlorophyll to use is uncertain because of limited research. To date, there is no recommended daily dosage for liquid chlorophyll. Doses vary from supplement to supplement, but the average per serving is around 100mg.
Overall, liquid chlorophyll is safe to use for most people. However, its safety in pregnancy or while breastfeeding have yet been established. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before you begin using liquid chlorophyll.
As an alternative, consuming more dark green vegetables such as broccoli or spinach is likely safe and a good way to add chlorophyll to your diet. Consider adding them to smoothies or soups.
There are mild side effects linked with taking liquid chlorophyll. Mild digestive discomfort is most common. Some symptoms may include:
However, these symptoms tend to occur when an individual takes too much liquid chlorophyll or takes it on an empty stomach.
Additional symptoms unrelated to digestive discomfort include sensitivity to sunlight.
It’s unclear how liquid chlorophyll may interact with particular medications. However, many supplements do interfere with the effectiveness of prescription medications.
If you are taking medications that boost sensitivity to sunlight, chlorophyll alongside these types of drugs may increase the risk of you experiencing sunburns and sun damage. As such, ensure that you talk to your doctor before using liquid chlorophyll to verify that liquid chlorophyll is safe to take with your other medications.
Keep in mind that The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) does not regulate liquid chlorophyll.As such, you will have to do your homework and your due diligence to be on the safe side.
When buying a chlorophyll supplement, check to see if it has been tested by a third-party. Check that the supplement contains chlorophyllin, the synthetic form of chlorophyll on their ingredient lists. Try to buy from reputable sellers, and check the recommended dose on the bottle.
Liquid chlorophyll could have real health benefits for alleviating acne, lowering body odors, detoxifying the liver, boosting energy, losing weight, and even fighting cancer. However, there still needs to be more research done to understand how it works. If you are interested in trying this supplement, speak to your doctor first.
Get a proper assessment at your healthcare provider’s office if you are unsure whether this is the right product for you. If you are concerned about whether liquid chlorophyll is right to help you, the team at Dr. Lam Coaching can help. We offer a free** no-obligation phone consultation at +1 (626) 571-1234 where we will privately discuss your symptoms and various options. You can also send us a question through our Ask The Doctor system by clicking here.
Chloro BC: Refresh and rejuvenate your body!
Montelius C, Erlandsson D, Vitija E, et al.Body weight loss, reduced urge for palatable food and increased release of GLP-1 through daily supplementation with green-plant membranes for three months in overweight women. Appetite. 2014;81:295-304. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2014.06.101
Solway J, McBride M, Haq F, et al. Diet and dermatology: The role of a whole-food, plant-based diet in preventing and reversing skin aging-a review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020;13(5):38-43.
Song BH, Lee DH, Kim BC, et al. Photodynamic therapy using chlorophyll-a in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, single-blind, split-face study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(4):764-771. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.05.047
Vaňková, K., Marková, I., Jašprová, J., Dvořák, A., Subhanová, I., Zelenka, J., Novosádová, I., Rasl, J., Vomastek, T., Sobotka, R., Muchová, L., & Vítek, L.(2017). Chlorophyll-Mediated Changes in the Redox Status of Pancreatic Cancer Cells Are Associated with Its Anticancer Effects. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4069167
There are several health benefits of liquid chlorophyll. These include cancer risk reduction, liver detoxification, skin improvement, boost in energy, weight reduction, odor reduction, and helping to manage hemoglobin deficiencies, like anemia. However, the research is still in the early phases for many of these applications.
