An over-the-counter medication that is also used as a green food coloring may help lower the risk of liver cancer caused by aflatoxins, US and Chinese researchers report.

Aflatoxins are carcinogens produced by fungus that are found in soybeans, peanuts, corn and grains.

The new study found that chlorophyllin given to healthy adults reduced their levels of a marker of aflatoxin-DNA damage. High levels of this marker are associated with increased liver cancer risk.

Chlorophyllin is marketed as a drug (Derifil) to control body and fecal odor in geriatric patients. Previous studies have shown that chlorophyllin blocked the action of cancer-causing agents in the liver of rodents.

To test whether the compound had the same effect in humans, the researchers assigned 180 healthy adults in China to consume 100 milligrams (mg) of chlorophyllin or an inactive placebo pill three times a day for 4 months. Levels of the aflatoxin-DNA damage marker were measured in urine samples taken 3 months into the study.

According to results, adults who had consumed chlorophyllin experienced a 55% reduction in levels of this marker compared with adults who had taken the placebo.

The findings suggest that taking chlorophyllin as a preventive measure may help lower the risk of liver cancer.

Prophylactic interventions with chlorophyllin or supplementation of diets with foods rich in chlorophylls may represent practical means to prevent the development of liver cancer or other environmentally induced cancers.

Previous research indicates that natural chlorophylls in green plants may also lower the risk of cancer in animals. These compounds have been shown to alter the toxic effects of certain cancer-causing compounds on genes.

"Thus, supplementation of diets with foods rich in chlorophylls may be an effective approach to chemoprevention and yet even simpler to implement in many regions of the world," they conclude.

In the US, the rate liver cancer is increasing. About 16,200 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States during 2001, and an estimated 14,100 people will die of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2001;98:14601-14606

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

There is no question that chlorophyll is good for you. But do you think that paying 15 to 20 cents per pill is a better deal than getting your chlorophyll from the original source (vegetables)? If you said yes than you are not familiar with the principles I have been advocating on this site for a number of years. I believe you should be independently healthy and minimally reliant on medical doctors and supplement stores to stay healthy. The best way to do this is to eat high quality foods, especially vegetables, and preferably organic if you can. If you obtain your chlorophyll from the original plant source, you will also receive the full range of balanced phytonutrients that are designed to keep you healthy. If you consume the food raw, you will also receive a poorly identified and currently non-quantifiable source of living raw bioenergy that will serve to promote your health and fight chronic illness. I believe we should each have about one pound of vegetables per day for every 50 pounds of body weight. One of the easiest ways to consume this many vegetables is with the vegetable juicing program. I recently figured out that adding cranberries to the juice is a wonderful way to improve the flavor and also the nutrition as cranberries are full of phytonutrients and antioxidants. Related Articles: Low Selenium Intake May Raise Risk of Liver Cancer Avocado Protects Against Liver Damage