Health Benefits of Chlorophyll
Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM
Chlorophyll is a naturally occurring pigment that gives plants their dark green color. Chlorophyll is also necessary for photosynthesis, the process in which plants use sunlight to get nutrients from carbon dioxide and water.
You take in chlorophyll when you eat leafy green plants and herbs. There are also chlorophyll supplements, which contain a compound derived from chlorophyll called chlorophyllin. Liquid chlorophyll is an example of a popular chlorophyll supplement.
Research suggests that chlorophyll and chlorophyll supplements may improve health and well-being in multiple ways. For instance, some research has found that chlorophyll has antioxidant properties and may provide certain health benefits, like reducing inflammation. However, research into the potential benefits of chlorophyll supplements is limited and ongoing.
Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. The effects of supplements vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications. Please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements.
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Has Powerful Antioxidant Properties
Chlorophyll functions as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or delay cell damage. This is because antioxidants can fight against oxidative stress, which is thought to trigger cellular damage and disease.
Having a diet rich in antioxidants may be able to help fight against the effects of aging. It may also lower your risk for a number of serious health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer.
May Reduce Inflammation
Chlorophyll contains anti-inflammatory compounds, such as phytol, that help reduce inflammation throughout the body.
According to some research, taking chlorophyll supplements could reduce swelling and pain in people with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. More research is needed to confirm these early findings.
Might Help Treat Iron Deficiency Anemia
Research shows chlorophyll is similar to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the rest of the body. In some cases, chlorophyll may be able to mimic the actions of hemoglobin.
This could be beneficial for health conditions characterized by a lack of hemoglobin, such as iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells, leading to low iron in the body. This can make you feel tired and weak and cause symptoms like headaches and irregular heartbeat.
Other research from China based on a Chinese medicine formula (Shengxuening, or SXN, derived from silkworm fecal matter) also showed that chlorophyll supplements may help treat iron deficiency anemia.
While chlorophyll may work to treat certain kinds of iron deficiency anemia and other blood disorders that have low red blood cell counts, more research is needed to determine if chlorophyll supplements are a suitable complementary medicine to accompany other treatments for anemia.
May Benefit Skin Health
For many years, sodium copper chlorophyllin—a mixture made with chlorophyll compounds—has been used to promote wound healing when applied to the skin. More recently, some research has found that topically applying sodium copper chlorophyllin could have several other benefits for the skin. These benefits include:
Reducing pore size
Reducing facial redness
Preventing the loss of hyaluronic acid, a compound that keeps skin moisturized
Chlorophyll and Cancer
Research suggests chlorophyll may help protect against or treat cancer. However, most of these studies were done with animals or in test tubes. More research involving humans would be needed before saying cancer prevention or treatment is a benefit of chlorophyll.
Good Sources of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is found naturally in green plants and herbs. Some examples of chlorophyll-rich foods include:
Chlorophyll can also be taken as a dietary supplement in liquid or tablet form. These supplements typically contain chlorophyllin, a partly synthetic chlorophyll form made with sodium copper salts.
Chlorophyllin can also be found as a topical cream or ointment.
How to Take Chlorophyll
You can receive the benefits of chlorophyll by incorporating more chlorophyll-rich foods into your diet. These include most green plants and herbs.
You can also choose to take chlorophyll as a supplement, in a liquid or tablet form. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking any supplement. They, along with the dosage information on the product’s box, can inform you how to take the supplement. You will need to find out when, how often, and at what amount you should take chlorophyll.
Some people also apply chlorophyll topically to heal wounds or improve their skin. In this case, look for a lotion, ointment, or other skin product containing chlorophyll. Follow the product’s instructions—and any guidance from your healthcare provider—for use.
Dosage
There is not a standard dose for chlorophyll supplements. When taking the supplement, follow the recommended dose on the product packaging or that your healthcare provider recommended. If you notice any adverse reactions, stop taking the supplement immediately.
Is Chlorophyll Safe?
When taken orally in smaller amounts or in the amount you get through food, chlorophyll is considered safe. Whether used orally or topically, no significant adverse effects have been reported. That being said, safety outcomes of chlorophyll use haven't been thoroughly examined. For example, it's unclear how safe it is to take chlorophyll in larger amounts or to use it directly on the skin.
Most people who take chlorophyll as a supplement will not experience harmful effects. However, taking large amounts of chlorophyll could lead to chlorophyll poisoning that requires emergency medical treatment.
There is not enough research available to determine if chlorophyll supplements are safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Potential Drug Interactions
Before using chlorophyll supplements, talk to your healthcare provider about any other medications you’re taking.
Because chlorophyll promotes light absorption, it may lead to light sensitivity (photosensitivity) when taken alongside medications that cause light sensitivity. Photosensitivity could increase your risk of sunburn and other health complications.
Medications that can cause photosensitivity—especially in combination with chlorophyll—include:
Antifungals
Antihistamines
Cholesterol-lowering drugs
Diuretics
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
Chlorophyll may also interact negatively with blood thinners like warfarin (sold under brand names like Coumadin and Jantoven). Some research has shown that warfarin may be less effective when used alongside chlorophyll products that contain vitamin K.
What To Look For
Supplements like chlorophyll aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so it’s important to take caution when using them.
When buying chlorophyll supplements, make sure they are third-party tested. This means a lab outside of the manufacturer tested the supplements for quality and safety.
You can also reach out to the manufacturer with any questions about the product. Avoid supplements whose suppliers make questionable or over-the-top claims, such as promising to cure a certain condition.
If you have any questions about finding reputable dietary supplements, talk to your healthcare provider.
Can You Take Too Much Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is generally considered to be nonpoisonous. However, it’s possible to experience chlorophyll poisoning if you ingest too much of the substance.
Symptoms of chlorophyll poisoning may include:
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Stomach pain
Think you have chlorophyll poisoning?
If you think you have symptoms of chlorophyll poisoning, don’t try to make yourself vomit, as this could be dangerous. Instead, seek immediate medical help by contacting the national toll-free Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222 (within the U.S.).
If this is an emergency call:
Side Effects of Chlorophyll
For many people, chlorophyll doesn’t cause side effects. For some, possible side effects of chlorophyll may include:
Yellow or black tongue
Green urine or stool
Skin irritation, such as mild burning or itchiness, when used topically
Loose stool (poop)
A Quick Review
Chlorophyll, the pigment that makes plants green, may have certain health benefits. These benefits may include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as skin healing. To reap the potential benefits of chlorophyll, you can use chlorophyll supplements or increase your intake of chlorophyll-rich foods, such as green plants and herbs. Chlorophyll is generally considered safe, but there might be some harmful effects if the supplement is taken in large amounts. More research on chlorophyll is needed before stronger conclusions can be made about its effectiveness and safety.
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