Is It Safe to Take Chlorophyll While Pregnant Or Breastfeeding?

 Many people search for natural remedies to fight illnesses, and they will try just about anything to achieve desired results. Hundreds of alternative treatments and supplements promise to help people achieve wellness and fight chronic conditions. Over recent years, the ‘health boom’ has given birth to many trends that people stand by as long as it brings them closer to a healthy life. 

The same is true for pregnant women who want to give their babies the healthiest start possible as they prepare to enter the world. As a result, some women have started to take Chlorophyll as a means to boost their wellness.

Are you wondering if it’s safe to take chlorophyll during pregnancy or while you nurse?

Some professionals believe chlorophyll is safe for both mother and baby during pregnancy. But others warn pregnant women and nursing mothers to avoid taking Chlorophyll as there is the possibility of unknown risks, and there is no definitive evidence of benefits.

Here are a few points on how some people believe Chlorophyll may help you during pregnancy, how your baby can benefit, and the possible risks associated with chlorophyll consumption.

Table of Contents

• What is Chlorophyll?
• Uses For Chlorophyll
• Why Chlorophyll Has Gained Popularity
• Risks Associated With Chlorophyll
• Chlorophyll and Pregnancy
• Chlorophyll and Breastfeeding
• Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives for Chlorophyll
• Final Remarks

What is Chlorophyll?

Before considering taking chlorophyll in any form, it is crucial to understand the substance. Chlorophyll is a green substance in plants that helps give them their color and is also what plants use to help them with the process of photosynthesis, the way they make their food and grow. 

You can find chlorophyll in all green plants, so you can find it in just about every item in the produce aisle, including broccoli, spinach, kale, and a host of others on your next trip to the store.

Uses For Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is a powerful antioxidant that can help give your health a bit of a boost. Many chlorophyll proponents argue that chlorophyll can treat or even prevent a variety of chronic health conditions, which can include 

• Inflammation
• Weight loss
• Eliminate toxins
• Preventing cancer

Although there are many claims about what chlorophyll is capable of helping you with, there isn’t much evidence to support the claims of chlorophyll enthusiasts.

Why Chlorophyll Has Gained Popularity

Chlorophyll use has seen an uptick in its popularity over recent years. This can be due to endorsements from celebrities, social media influencers, or word of mouth. But, much of the hype surrounding Chlorophyll may be related to a misconception regarding the natural substance and its synthetic counterpart you may have seen in stores. 

For instance, if you buy a chlorophyll supplement, you may get something different than what you expect. Stores often sell a chlorophyll supplement called chlorophyllin, a form of chlorophyll that your body can absorb more easily.

Chlorophyllin is a watered-down version of chlorophyll and can come in many forms, such as

• Liquid
• Tablet
• Powder
• And ointments

Risks Associated With Chlorophyll

While there aren’t any known life-threatening risks associated with consuming chlorophyll, there are some side effects. Chlorophyll consumption can cause nausea and vomiting and make you susceptible to rashes from sun exposure.

Chlorophyll and Pregnancy

Pregnancy puts your body through a variety of changes. One of the most significant changes your body goes through is the need for extra blood to support you and your baby. Depending on how much extra blood you and your baby need, your doctor may prescribe an iron supplement to help. 

But, some women prefer chlorophyll because some believe it has similar characteristics to hemoglobin, an essential part of red blood cell production. 

Also, chlorophyll may help with bloating, an uncomfortable side effect of pregnancy, by relieving water retention and constipation.

Consulting with your doctor can help you determine how much chlorophyll you can and should take and whether a chlorophyll supplement stands to benefit you.

Chlorophyll and Breastfeeding

Nursing mothers want to give their babies the best start in life, including providing them with high-quality nutrition to meet their baby’s needs. Some moms believe they can pass on the perceived benefits of Chlorophyll supplements to their baby through breast milk.

While there aren’t any known health benefits of taking chlorophyll supplements for nursing moms and their babies, there isn’t much evidence to suggest that it can harm them. 

Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives for Chlorophyll

Although experts can’t definitively lean one way or the other on taking chlorophyll, you still have plenty of ways to ensure that you and your baby have a healthy start. First, make sure that you maintain a healthy diet. Having a healthy diet can be difficult, especially as you fight through pregnancy’s intense (and unhealthy) cravings. 

But a diet full of vitamins and minerals is essential to achieving optimal health for you and your baby. A diet packed with fruits and plenty of vegetables can be a natural way to help you get the vitamins and minerals you need. Also, adding extra greens to your diet is a natural way to meet your chlorophyll requirements, so you can still get your chlorophyll fix if necessary.

Another pregnancy-safe alternative to chlorophyll supplements is taking your prenatal vitamins. What sets prenatal vitamins apart is that they are made specifically for pregnant women and have higher levels of folic acid than other vitamins. Folic acid is essential to the health and development of a fetus and can fight against neural tube defects, a defect in the spine and brain of the fetus.

Other chlorophyll alternatives include

• Iron 
• Vitamin D
• Magnesium
• Fish Oil

Final Remarks

Many people are staunch advocates of taking chlorophyll despite the lack of evidence to support claims of health benefits. Some believe chlorophyll is a must-have during pregnancy and beyond, but there isn’t enough scientific data to confirm or deny its effectiveness. Since there is little to suggest that chlorophyll helps mothers, doctors advise against taking it until we learn more about its effects.

For now, the best thing you can do is consult your doctor before introducing a new supplement to your body. Try your best to have a healthy diet and avoid harmful habits as you get ready to meet your new baby.