Natural Chlorophyll [Discontinued] by Rugby

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Urinary odor. Oral chlorophyllin does not seem to reduce urinary odor. Details: One small clinical study in older adults with an indwelling catheter due to urinary incontinence shows that taking chlorophyllin 100 mg daily for two weeks does not reduce urinary odor when compared with placebo (1323).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Acne. It is unclear if topical chlorophyllin is beneficial in patients with acne. Details: One small clinical study in adults with mild-moderate acne and large visible pores shows that applying a gel containing chlorophyllin 0.1% liposomal dispersion to the face twice daily for 3 weeks improves the appearance of acne and large pores when compared to baseline (101240). The validity of these findings is limited by the lack of a comparator group.
• Body odor. Although there is interest in using oral chlorophyllin for body odor, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyllin for this purpose.
• Cancer. Although there is interest in using oral chlorophyllin for cancer, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyllin for this condition.
• Constipation. Although there is interest in using oral chlorophyllin for constipation, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyllin for this purpose.
• Fecal odor. Although there is interest in using oral chlorophyllin for fecal odor, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyllin for this purpose.
• Flatulence. Although there is interest in using oral chlorophyllin for flatulence, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyllin for this purpose.
• Leukopenia. It is unclear if oral chlorophyllin reduces the severity of leukopenia. Details: Preliminary clinical research in Chinese adults with leukopenia from various causes shows that taking a specific chlorophyllin product (Yebaike) 40 mg three times daily for 30 days reduces the severity of leukopenia in 85% of patients, compared with 27% of patients taking placebo. However, the treatment group was four times larger than the placebo group, limiting the reliability of these findings (101244).
• Wound healing. Although there is interest in using topical chlorophyllin for wound healing, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of chlorophyllin for this purpose.
• Wrinkled skin. It is unclear if topical chlorophyllin reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Details: One small clinical study in adults with mild-moderate fine lines and wrinkles shows that applying a gel containing chlorophyllin 0.066% liposomal dispersion to the face twice daily for 8 weeks improves the subjective appearance of wrinkles when compared to baseline (101241). The validity of these findings is limited by the lack of a comparator group. More evidence is needed to rate chlorophyllin for these uses.

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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.

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PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, concomitant use of chlorophyllin with photosensitizing drugs may have additive effects.  Details Chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has been reported to cause photosensitization (1326). Orally, chlorophyll has also been associated with the development of pseudoporphyria in multiple case reports (93892,97933).

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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).

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