One scoop (29 grams) contain: Pea Protein • Pea Starch • Organic Alfalfa grass powder • Natural Flavors • Brown Rice Protein • Hemp Protein • Sacha Inchi Protein • Spinach powder • Broccoli powder • Papain powder • Organic Kale powder • Stevia leaf extract • Xanthan Gum .
Brand name products often contain multiple ingredients. To read detailed information about each ingredient, click on the link for the individual ingredient shown above.
This is the currently available formulation of this product. A previously available formulation of this product was discontinued.
Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Vega Protein & Greens (Natural). 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
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
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 Vega Protein & Greens (Natural). 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 in food amounts (14145). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of broccoli when used in medicinal amounts.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in food amounts (14145).
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of broccoli when used in medicinal amounts during pregnancy and lactation; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Brown rice has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (7705). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of brown rice when used orally in medicinal amounts.
CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in food.
Brown rice has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (7705). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of brown rice when used in medicinal amounts in children.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods (7705).
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of brown rice when used in medicinal amounts during pregnancy or lactation.
LIKELY SAFE ...when hemp seed, hemp protein, and hemp seed oil are used orally in food amounts. Hulled hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) in the US (100531).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when hemp seed oil is used orally and appropriately as medicine, short-term. Hemp seed oil in doses of 2-6.3 grams daily has been safely used for 3-6 months (88183,16791,101145). Hemp seed oil in doses of 30 mL (27.6 grams) daily has been used safely for 2 months (101125). There is insufficient reliable evidence available about the safety of hemp oil, flowers, or leaves.
CHILDREN:
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of hemp in children.
Adverse effects have been noted in case reports, but details related to specific hemp products are limited (101153,110287).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used in amounts commonly found in foods. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of kale when used orally in medicinal amounts.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods.
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of kale when used orally in medicinal amounts; avoid use.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Papain has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately for medicinal purposes, short-term. Papain has been used in combination with other proteolytic enzymes at a dose of up to 1200 mg daily for up to 9 weeks (964,965,968,67831,67834). ...when used topically as a diluted solution in appropriate doses for up to 20 minutes (67835,67843,67845).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally in large amounts. In excessive doses, papain can cause significant side effects including esophageal perforation (6). ...when raw papain is used topically. Raw papain or papaya latex is a severe irritant and vesicant (6).
PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally.
There is some concern that crude papain is teratogenic and embryotoxic (6).
LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in food amounts. Pea protein is commonly consumed as a food (94935,94970,94981).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when pea protein is used orally in medicinal amounts, short term. Pea protein has been used with apparent safety in doses of up to 50 grams daily for up to 12 weeks (95426,94934,102013,104758,104759). ...when pea protein hydrolysate is used orally, short term. A pea protein hydrolysate has been used with apparent safety at doses of up to 3 grams daily for up to 3 weeks (94973).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using in amounts greater than those found in food.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used in amounts commonly found in foods.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts. Spinach has been used with apparent safety at a dose of 5 grams daily for up to 12 weeks (96856).
CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when consumed in the amounts commonly found in foods by children older than 4 months of age (18).
CHILDREN: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally in infants under 4 months old; the high nitrate content of spinach can cause methemoglobinemia (18).
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of spinach in children when used in medicinal amounts.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used in amounts commonly found in foods; avoid medicinal amounts.
LIKELY SAFE ...when certain stevia constituents, including stevioside and rebaudiosides A, D, and M, are used orally as sweeteners in foods. These constituents have generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status in the US for this purpose (16699,16700,16702,16705,16706,108049). The stevia constituent stevioside has been safely used in doses of up to 1500 mg daily for 2 years (11809,11810,11811). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of whole stevia or stevia extracts when used orally. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined that the acceptable intake of steviol glycosides is 4 mg/kg daily (106456); however, it is unclear how this relates to the use of whole stevia or stevia extract.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when consumed in amounts found in foods, up to 10 mg/kg per day (4914). It has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912). ...when used orally for medicinal use in amounts up to 15 grams per day (4914,4916,4917,4918). ...when used topically and appropriately (4914,89591,95794).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information is available; avoid using in amounts greater than those found in foods.
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Vega Protein & Greens (Natural). 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.
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Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with the activity of contraceptive drugs.
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Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with hormone therapy.
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Theoretically, alfalfa might decrease the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy.
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Theoretically, concomitant use of alfalfa with photosensitizing drugs might have additive effects.
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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.
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Theoretically, alfalfa might reduce the anticoagulant activity of warfarin.
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Theoretically, broccoli might reduce the levels and effects of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
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Theoretically, broccoli might reduce the levels and effects of drugs metabolized by CYP2A6.
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Pharmacokinetic research in humans shows that eating 500 grams of broccoli daily for 6 days increases CYP2A6 activity by 135% to 550%. Induction of CYP2A6 activity is attributed to its glucosinolate constituents (19608).
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Theoretically, consuming hemp seed protein isolate with ACE inhibitors might have additive effects and increase the risk of hypotension.
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Theoretically, hemp seed might increase the risk of bleeding when used concomitantly with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs.
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Theoretically, hemp seed protein may have additive effects with antihypertensive drugs.
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In a hypertensive animal model, hemp seed protein hydrolysate reduced systolic blood pressure by a mechanism possibly involving the inhibition of renin and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activities. However, there was no effect of hemp seed protein on blood pressure in normotensive animals (101136). Furthermore, hempseed oil consumption does not seem to reduce blood pressure in humans (101144).
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Theoretically, hemp might interfere with hormone therapy due to its estrogenic effects.
Details
In an ovariectomized animal model, a diet containing hemp seed 1%, 2%, or 10% resulted in normalized plasma levels of 17-beta-estradiol (101132). The mechanism of action for this effect is unclear.
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Theoretically, papain might increase the effects and side effects of warfarin.
Details
In one case report, a patient previously stable on warfarin was found to have an international normalization ratio (INR) of 7.4, which was attributed to ingestion of a supplement containing papain from papaya extract (613).
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Spinach contains vitamin K, which can interfere with the activity of warfarin.
Details
In human research, although eating spinach with one meal does not result in coagulation test results outside the therapeutic range, daily consumption for one week necessitates dose adjustment of warfarin (19600). Individuals using anticoagulants should consume a consistent daily amount of spinach to maintain the effect of anticoagulant therapy (19).
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Theoretically, stevia might increase the risk for hypoglycemia when combined with antidiabetes drugs.
Details
Preliminary clinical research in patients with type 2 diabetes suggests that taking a single dose of stevia extract 1000 mg reduces postprandial blood glucose levels when taken with a meal (11812). However, other clinical research in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes suggests that taking stevioside 250 mg three times daily does not significantly affect blood glucose levels or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) after three months of treatment (16705).
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Theoretically, combining stevia or stevia constituents with antihypertensive agents might increase the risk of hypotension.
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Theoretically, stevia might decrease clearance and increase levels of lithium.
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Theoretically, xanthan gum can alter the absorption of oral drugs due to its fiber qualities. Xanthan gum slows gastric emptying and has been used to control the release of drugs in tablet formulations (4916,104058). To avoid any alterations in drug absorption, xanthan gum should be taken 30-60 minutes after oral medications.
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Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Vega Protein & Greens (Natural). 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 ...Broccoli is well tolerated when consumed as food. A thorough evaluation of safety outcomes when broccoli is taken as medicine has not been conducted.
Dermatologic ...Topically, allergic reactions to broccoli have caused contact dermatitis (14158).
Hepatic ...In one case report, a 56-year-old adult developed elevated transaminases, with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 5. 8 times above normal, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 2.4 times above normal, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) 5.1 times above normal. This was thought to be related to the consumption of 800 mL of broccoli juice daily over a 4-week period. Values returned to normal 15 days after cessation of juice consumption (96191).
Immunologic ...Topically, allergic reactions to broccoli have caused contact dermatitis (14158).
General ...Orally, brown rice is well tolerated when consumed as a food. No adverse effects have been reported when used in medicinal amounts; however, a thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
General
...Orally, hemp products are generally well tolerated in food amounts.
In larger amounts, hemp seed oil seems to be well tolerated.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Rare cases of anaphylaxis have been reported. Long QT syndrome, torsades de pointes, and syncope have also been reported rarely.
Cardiovascular ...Acquired long QT syndrome, torsades de pointes, and syncope have been reported in a 56-year-old woman following the intake of supplements containing hemp oil. The hemp supplements provided cannabidiol (CBD), and possibly cannabigerol (CBG). Although the exact dose is unknown, up to six times the recommended dose had been used for approximately 6 weeks, in combination with a supplement containing berberine. While hospitalized, intravenous magnesium and saline were used to stabilize heart rhythm. It is unknown whether this adverse effect was related to the hemp oil, berberine, or their interaction (110104).
Hepatic ...Orally, there is a case report of elevated liver enzymes and hepatitis in a two-year-old boy given hemp extract 2. 5 mL, providing 125 mg phytocannabinoid, five to eight times daily for infantile spasms and refractory seizures. The total dose of phytocannabinoids was approximately 60-100 mg/kg daily (110287).
Immunologic
...Orally, there are case reports of allergy to hemp seed, although this is uncommon (101140,101154).
A 44-year-old male developed hives during a meal of hemp seed-crusted seafoods. Later, he developed facial swelling, shortness of breath, and problems speaking. Evaluation revealed allergy to a specific protein in hemp seed. He did not react to smoked cannabis (101140). In other cases, anaphylaxis, facial swelling, and worsening asthma have been reported in association with a first exposure to hemp seed, although some had smoked cannabis previously (101154).
Topically, a case of patch-test confirmed allergic contact dermatitis to hemp seed oil has been reported in a 22-year-old woman. The initial rash started at the application point on her back and spread to her arms, hands, and neck (110288).
Airborne exposure to hemp pollen is a relatively common cause of allergic respiratory symptoms in some locations (101155).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, cases of acute cannabinoid toxicity with neurological symptoms in children and adults have been associated with intake of hemp seed oil. There is a case report of decreased alertness, stupor, bloodshot eyes, and fixed gaze in a 2-year-old male probably related to the intake of one teaspoon hemp seed oil (CANAH) containing 0.06% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) twice daily for 3 weeks. After stopping the oil, irritability was reported over the next few days (101153).
General ...Orally, kale is generally well tolerated when consumed in amounts commonly found in foods. No adverse effects have been reported with medicinal use. However, a thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
General
...Orally and topically, papain seems to be well tolerated when used short-term at appropriate doses.
Taking high oral doses may be unsafe.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Topically: Urticaria and pruritus in sensitive individuals.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Esophageal perforation and severe gastritis with high doses.
Dermatologic ...Topically, papain can cause itching (966). Urticarial reactions and itching have been reported in people occupationally exposed to papain, with papain confirmed as the causative agent by skin prick tests or radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) (95533,95534). In a randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of papain, trypsin, and chymotrypsin on adverse effects from radiotherapy, moderate to severe epitheliolysis was more frequent in the enzyme-treated group than the placebo group (67834). It is unclear if this adverse effect is due to papain, other enzymes, or the combination.
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, papain has been associated with diarrhea. In a randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of papain, trypsin, and chymotrypsin on adverse effects from radiotherapy, moderate to severe diarrhea was more frequent in the enzyme-treated group than the placebo group (67834). However, it is unclear if this adverse effect is due to papain, other enzymes, or the combination. Papain has also been associated with gastric ulcers and esophageal perforation in case reports of phytobezoars treated with papain (67848). In general, large amounts of papain can cause esophageal perforation (6). Ingestion of papaya latex (raw papain) can cause severe gastritis.
Genitourinary ...Orally, papain has been associated with hypernatremia in case reports of phytobezoars treated with papain (67848).
Immunologic ...Orally, papain may cause allergic reactions, including itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, abdominal cramps, sweating, and diarrhea, in individuals sensitive to papain (6,967). Occupational exposure to airborne papain dust may also cause respiratory allergic reactions (95532,95533,95534,95535,95536).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Occupational exposure to airborne papain dust may cause respiratory allergic reactions. Symptoms include rhinitis, sneezing, conjunctivitis, dyspnea, wheezing, cough, and asthma. In most cases, papain is confirmed as the causative agent by skin prick tests, radioallergosorbent tests (RAST), or detection of papain-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG (95532,95533,95534,95535,95536).
General
...Orally, pea protein seems to be well tolerated.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.
Immunologic ...Orally, pea protein may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to other foods. A case series describes 6 children who had anaphylactic reactions to pea protein present in a number of food items. Other symptoms included angioedema, urticaria, and asthma. All the children had a history of allergies to other foods including peanuts, tree nuts, chickpeas, lentils, or kidney beans (102012).
General
...Orally, spinach is well tolerated when consumed as a food.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: In infants under 4 months of age, methemoglobinemia has been reported.
All routes of administration: Allergies in sensitive individuals.
Dermatologic ...Topically, contact dermatitis has been reported from spinach in a 54-year-old female farmer (41757).
Gastrointestinal ...Bagged spinach has been linked to Escherichia coli outbreaks, sometimes causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms and even death (75846,75847,75849,75851,96858).
Hematologic ...Orally, spinach ingestion by infants under 4 months of age can cause methemoglobinemia, due to its high nitrate content (75802,75858,75860,75861,75862).
Immunologic ...Orally, topically, and via inhalation, spinach has been reported to cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (75870,96859).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Lung inflammation associated with allergic alveolitis has been reported after inhalation of spinach powder (75871). The powder has also been reported to induce occupational asthma in a spinach factory worker (75833).
General
...Orally, stevia and steviol glycosides appear to be well tolerated.
Most minor adverse effects seem to resolve after the first week of use.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Abdominal bloating, dizziness, headache, myalgia, nausea, and numbness.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Allergic reactions.
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, stevia and steviol glycosides such as stevioside, can cause gastrointestinal adverse effects such as abdominal fullness and nausea. However, these generally resolve after the first week of use (11809,11810).
Immunologic ...Theoretically, stevia might cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family (11811). Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other herbs.
Musculoskeletal ...Orally, stevia and steviol glycosides may cause myalgia, but this generally resolves after the first week of use (11809,11810).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, stevia and steviol glycosides may cause headache, dizziness, and numbness (11809,11810).
General ...Orally, xanthan gum can cause flatulence and abdominal distention (4916,4918). Topically, it has been reported to cause allergic reactions (100914).
Immunologic ...An itchy, burning dermatitis was reported in a 9-year old girl after application of a sunscreen product containing xanthan gum. Patch testing with the separate ingredients of the sunscreen identified xanthan gum as the reacting agent, and demonstrated a dose-dependent effect with 1% and 10% solutions (100914).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Occupational exposure in workers handling xanthan gum powder can cause flu-like symptoms and nose and throat irritation without acute or chronic loss of pulmonary function (4913).