Chlorophyll
The green pigment of plants, sold mostly as water-soluble chlorophyllin; it has credible evidence for binding dietary carcinogens like aflatoxin and reducing body and wound odor, while the detox, skin, and weight-loss claims popular online are largely unsupported.
At a Glance
- Best known for
- Binds aflatoxin and other dietary carcinogens in the gut (chlorophyllin), Reduces odor from wounds, ostomies, and incontinence (traditional medical use), Antioxidant activity
- Evidence
- Preliminary
- Typical dose
- 100 mg chlorophyllin 3x daily with meals
- Type
- Compound
What is Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is the pigment that captures sunlight in plants and algae. Natural chlorophyll is fat-soluble and unstable, so nearly all 'liquid chlorophyll' and chlorophyll tablets actually contain chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic derivative in which the central magnesium atom is replaced by copper and the molecule is made water-soluble. Chlorophyllin has been used in medicine since the 1940s as an internal deodorant for people with colostomies and incontinence and as a topical wound treatment. It became a social media phenomenon in the 2020s with claims about skin, detoxification, and weight loss, most of which have no supporting research. The one area with rigorous human data is its ability to block absorption of aflatoxin, a potent liver carcinogen found in contaminated grains and nuts.
Known Health Benefits
How It Works
Chlorophyllin's flat, porphyrin ring structure allows it to stack tightly with planar carcinogenic molecules like aflatoxin B1, heterocyclic amines from charred meat, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from smoke, forming complexes that cannot be absorbed and are excreted in stool. This 'interceptor molecule' effect is the basis of its cancer-prevention research. It also scavenges free radicals and may induce phase II detoxification enzymes modestly. The deodorizing effect is thought to come from binding odor compounds and bacteriostatic activity, though the mechanism is not fully established. Topically, chlorophyllin appears to reduce bacterial growth and inflammation and stimulate granulation tissue in wounds. There is no mechanism by which chlorophyll 'oxygenates' blood or acts like human hemoglobin, despite similar structures.
What Research Says
The strongest evidence is a 2001 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 180 adults in Qidong, China, a region with high aflatoxin exposure and liver cancer rates. Taking 100 mg chlorophyllin three times daily for 4 months reduced urinary aflatoxin-DNA adducts (a marker of carcinogen exposure) by 55% compared with placebo. This is a biomarker result, not a cancer-incidence result, but it is a well-designed trial. Deodorant use has clinical reports going back to the 1950s showing reduced odor from wounds and ostomies, but controlled trials are old and small. Small studies of topical chlorophyllin for acne and photoaging (2015, around 10 participants each, open-label) reported improvement but lacked controls. There are no human trials supporting weight loss, 'blood building,' increased energy, or general detoxification. Claims that chlorophyll prevents cancer in humans are not established beyond the aflatoxin biomarker work.
Active Compounds
Chlorophyll a and b (natural, fat-soluble, magnesium-centered); sodium copper chlorophyllin (semi-synthetic, water-soluble, copper-centered) in most supplements
Forms & Bioavailability
Natural chlorophyll is poorly absorbed; most passes through the gut unchanged or degraded to pheophytin, which is why eating greens turns stool green. Chlorophyllin is water-soluble and somewhat better absorbed, with some metabolites detectable in blood, but its most studied effect — binding carcinogens — occurs in the gut and does not require absorption. Because it works by binding, it should be taken with meals that might contain the compounds of concern, and separated from medications by a couple of hours. For deodorant use, effects on odor typically take a few days of consistent dosing.
Dosage Guidance
| Use Case | Dosage |
|---|---|
| Carcinogen binding (studied) | 100 mg chlorophyllin 3x daily with meals |
| Internal deodorant (ostomy, incontinence, body odor) | 100–200 mg daily, divided |
| General antioxidant | 100 mg daily, or 1–2 tsp liquid |
| Topical wound or acne use | 0.1% gel applied 1–2x daily |
Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dosing.
Natural Food Sources
- Spinach, parsley, arugula, and other dark leafy greens
- Wheatgrass and barley grass
- Spirulina and chlorella (very high)
- Green beans, peas, broccoli, asparagus
- Matcha green tea
- Note: cooking and acid degrade natural chlorophyll to brown pheophytin
Potential Side Effects
Green stool and sometimes green urine (harmless); diarrhea, stomach cramps; rare photosensitivity; tongue discoloration
Who Should Avoid It
- Photosensitizing medications or conditions like porphyria (chlorophyllin can increase sun sensitivity)
- Upcoming fecal occult blood or colonoscopy prep (green discoloration can interfere)
- Copper-related conditions such as Wilson's disease (chlorophyllin contains copper, though amounts are small)
- Children under 2 without medical advice
Pregnancy & Lactation
Chlorophyll from green vegetables is safe and beneficial in pregnancy. Chlorophyllin supplements have not been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women; although they have a long safety record in general medical use, there is no reason to use concentrated supplements during pregnancy beyond eating greens.
Known Drug Interactions
May increase photosensitivity with drugs like methotrexate, tetracyclines, or sulfa drugs; chlorophyllin may reduce absorption of medications taken simultaneously by binding them; may interfere with fecal occult blood tests
Evidence Classification
Based on in vitro studies, animal models, pilot trials, or traditional use documentation. Clinical evidence is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is liquid chlorophyll the same as the chlorophyll in plants?
Almost never. Nearly all liquid chlorophyll products contain sodium copper chlorophyllin, a modified, water-soluble version with copper replacing magnesium. This is the form used in essentially all the human research and the medical deodorant products. Natural chlorophyll is unstable, fat-soluble, and poorly absorbed, which is why the modified version exists.
Does chlorophyll clear acne or improve skin?
Two tiny open-label pilot studies (about 10 people each) in 2015 reported improvements in acne and sun damage with topical chlorophyllin gel, but there were no control groups. There are no studies showing that drinking chlorophyll improves skin. Social media results likely reflect increased water intake, placebo, or coincidence. If it is affordable and you enjoy it, it is low-risk, but do not expect it to replace proven acne treatments.
Does chlorophyll detox the body or build blood?
Chlorophyll and hemoglobin share a ring structure, but chlorophyll does not become hemoglobin or carry oxygen in humans, and it has no magnesium-to-iron conversion ability. The 'detox' claim has one legitimate basis — chlorophyllin binds certain carcinogens in the gut — but it does not cleanse the liver, remove heavy metals, or alkalize the body in any demonstrated way.
Why is my stool green and is that a problem?
Chlorophyllin is excreted largely unchanged and colors stool (and occasionally urine) green. This is harmless and expected. It can, however, mask blood in the stool or confuse stool tests, so stop taking it a few days before any stool testing and tell your doctor if you have other symptoms.
References
- Chlorophyllin intervention reduces aflatoxin-DNA adducts in individuals at high risk for liver cancer. Egner PA, Wang JB, Zhu YR, et al.. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (2001)View study
- Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin. Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Oregon State University (2009)
- Chlorophyllin as an effective antioxidant against membrane damage in vitro and ex vivo. Kamat JP, Boloor KK, Devasagayam TP. Biochim Biophys Acta (2000)
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This entry is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement regimen, especially if you take medications or have health conditions.