Chlorophyllin is a water-soluble compound made from chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants. Unlike natural chlorophyll, which doesn’t dissolve well in water and breaks down quickly, chlorophyllin is chemically modified so the body can absorb it more easily. It’s sold as a supplement, used as a green food coloring, and has been studied for everything from neutralizing dietary toxins to improving skin health.
How Chlorophyllin Differs From Chlorophyll
Natural chlorophyll is fat-soluble, meaning it doesn’t mix with water and has limited absorption in the digestive tract. To make chlorophyllin, manufacturers take a crude chlorophyll extract (often from alfalfa) and treat it with sodium hydroxide, then swap out the magnesium atom at the center of the molecule for copper. The result is sodium copper chlorophyllin, a bright green, water-soluble compound that stays stable far longer than the original pigment.
This matters because most “liquid chlorophyll” supplements you see on store shelves are actually chlorophyllin. The label may say chlorophyll, but if the ingredient list mentions copper or sodium copper chlorophyllin, you’re getting the semi-synthetic version. That’s not a bad thing. It’s simply a more practical form of the molecule, and it’s the form used in nearly all clinical research.
Binding Toxins in the Gut
The most compelling research on chlorophyllin involves its ability to intercept harmful compounds before they get absorbed. Chlorophyllin acts like a molecular trap: it forms tight complexes with certain carcinogens in the digestive tract, reducing the amount that enters the bloodstream and reaches organs like the liver.
A landmark clinical trial published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences tested this in a population at high risk for liver cancer due to dietary exposure to aflatoxin, a potent toxin produced by mold on grains and nuts. Participants took 100 mg of chlorophyllin three times a day with meals for 12 weeks. The result was a 55% reduction in a key biomarker of aflatoxin-related DNA damage, measured in urine. Among participants with detectable levels of the biomarker, the reduction was 49% and highly statistically significant. Animal studies had already shown 45 to 50% reductions in aflatoxin-DNA damage in the liver using the same approach.
This doesn’t mean chlorophyllin prevents cancer in a general sense. What it does suggest is that chlorophyllin can reduce the body’s exposure to specific dietary toxins by trapping them in the gut and shuttling them out through stool before they cause damage.
Skin Health and Acne
Chlorophyllin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have drawn interest for topical skin applications. A pilot study tested a gel containing 0.1% sodium copper chlorophyllin on 10 subjects with mild to moderate acne and visibly large pores. After three weeks of twice-daily application, all clinical measures showed statistically significant improvement over baseline, and the treatment was well tolerated.
This is preliminary evidence from a small, uncontrolled study, so it’s far from definitive. But it aligns with older research showing chlorophyllin supports wound healing when applied to skin, likely by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation at the site.
The Deodorant Claim
Chlorophyllin has been marketed as an internal deodorant since the 1950s, with claims that it reduces body odor, bad breath, and fecal smell. The evidence for this is weak. A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in 28 colostomy patients found that 75 mg of chlorophyll tablets taken three times daily performed no better than placebo at reducing fecal odor based on patients’ own assessments. Despite this, chlorophyllin-based products are still widely sold for odor control, and some people report subjective improvement.
Regulatory Status and Common Uses
In the United States, the FDA has permanently listed sodium copper chlorophyllin (sometimes called chlorophyllin copper complex) as a color additive exempt from certification. Its approved uses are relatively narrow: it can be added to citrus-based dry beverage mixes at up to 0.2%, and used in toothpastes at up to 0.1%, whether classified as drugs or cosmetics. It was previously allowed more broadly in food and drugs but was delisted for those uses due to lack of industry interest.
In Europe, chlorophyllin appears as the food additive E141 and is permitted more broadly as a green colorant. As a dietary supplement in the U.S., it falls under different regulations and is sold over the counter without FDA preapproval, typically in tablet or liquid form.
Dosage in Research
Clinical trials have used a wide range of doses depending on the condition being studied. The aflatoxin trial used 100 mg three times daily (300 mg total per day) with meals. A more recent cancer-related trial registered on ClinicalTrials.gov used 750 mg once daily, a notably higher dose. Most over-the-counter supplements contain between 100 and 200 mg per serving. There is no established recommended daily intake, and optimal dosing likely depends on the specific use.
Side Effects
Chlorophyllin is considered nontoxic. The National Institutes of Health classifies chlorophyll and its derivatives as nonpoisonous. The most common and completely harmless effect is green discoloration of urine or stool, which simply reflects the pigment passing through your system. Some people also notice a yellow or black discoloration of the tongue.
In rare cases, oral chlorophyllin can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, or loose stools. When applied to skin, it occasionally causes mild burning or itching. No serious toxicity has been reported at supplemental doses, though long-term safety data from large studies is limited.