What are the health benefits of alfalfa?
Alfalfa is a rich source of protein, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin
C, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc.
Without much scientific evidence, alfalfa is believed to have benefit on
various conditions such as high cholesterol, menopause and poor
appetite. In the old times, Chinese and Indian physicians used young
alfalfa leaves to treat digestive disorders [1]. And, North American Indians
used alfalfa to treat jaundice and encourage blood clotting.
In 19th century, some herbalists used Alfalfa as a tonic for indigestion,
dyspepsia, anemia, loss of appetite, and poor assimilation of nutrients.[2]
Alfafa's leaves contain approximately 3% saponins[3]. These saponins
may contribute alfalfa's benefits on cholesterol-lowering effects. Animal
studies suggest that these alfalfa constituents block cholesterol
absorption and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques[4]. One
small human trial found that 120 grams per day of heat-treated alfalfa
seeds for eight weeks led to a modest reduction in cholesterol[5]
Alfalfa leaves contain flavones, isoflavones, sterols, and coumarin
derivatives. The isoflavones may also cause the estrogen-like effects seen
in animal studies[7, 9]. Alfalfa is sometimes used to treat menopause
symptoms.
What are the side effects of alfalfa?
Consuming the large amounts of alfalfa seeds may cause damage to red
blood cells [6].
Akaoqi J and coworkers at University of Florida reported the association of
SLE and alfalfa in a volunteer who developed lupus-like autoimmunity
while ingesting alfalfa seed for a hypercholesterolemia study. [8]
References:
1. Briggs C. Alfalfa. Canadian Pharm J 1994;Mar.2. Castleman M. The
Healing Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1991.3. Leung AY, Foster S.
Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and
Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996. 4. Story JA. Alfalfa
saponins and cholesterol interactions. Am J Clin Nutr 1984. 5. Molgaard J,
von Schenck H, Olsson AG. Alfalfa seeds lower low density lipoprotein
cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in patients with type II
hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis 1987. 6. Malinow MR, Bardana EJ,
Goodnight SH. Pancytopenia during ingestion of alfalfa seeds. Lancet
1981. 7. Shemesh M, Lindrer HR, Ayalon N. Affinity of rabbit uterine
oestradiol receptor for phyto-oestragens and its use in competitive
protein-binding radioassay for plasma coumestrol. J Reprod Fertil 1972. 8
Akaoqi J. et al, Role of non-protein amino acid L-canavanine in
autoimmunity. Autoimmun. Rev. 2006 Jul';5(6):429-35. Epub 2005 Dec 29.
[9] Branca F and Lorenzetti S Health effects of phytoestrogens. Forum
Nutr. 2005; (57): 100-11. [1A] Hong Y, Huang C, Wang S, Lin B. The ethyl
acetate extract of alfalfa sprout ameliorates disease severity of
autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice. Lupus. 2009;18(3):206-15. [1B]
Werner S, Boman K, Einemo I, Erntell M, de Jong B, Lindqvist A, Löfdahl M,
Lofdahl S, Meeuwisse A, Ohlen G, Olsson M, Stamer U, Sellstrom E,
Andersson Y. Outbreak of Salmonella Stanley in Sweden associated with
alfalfa sprouts, July-August 2007. Euro Surveill. 2007 Oct
18;12(10):E071018.2. [1C] Sprouts recalled after positive test for
Salmonella fdlreporter.com 02/05/09
This article was updated on
March 1, 2009
HOME
____________________________________________________
alfafa should be spelled as alfalfa.
Alfalfa is a rich source of protein, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin
C, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc.
Without much scientific evidence, alfalfa is believed to have benefit on
various conditions such as high cholesterol, menopause and poor
appetite. In the old times, Chinese and Indian physicians used young
alfalfa leaves to treat digestive disorders [1]. And, North American Indians
used alfalfa to treat jaundice and encourage blood clotting.
In 19th century, some herbalists used Alfalfa as a tonic for indigestion,
dyspepsia, anemia, loss of appetite, and poor assimilation of nutrients.[2]
Alfafa's leaves contain approximately 3% saponins[3]. These saponins
may contribute alfalfa's benefits on cholesterol-lowering effects. Animal
studies suggest that these alfalfa constituents block cholesterol
absorption and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques[4]. One
small human trial found that 120 grams per day of heat-treated alfalfa
seeds for eight weeks led to a modest reduction in cholesterol[5]
Alfalfa leaves contain flavones, isoflavones, sterols, and coumarin
derivatives. The isoflavones may also cause the estrogen-like effects seen
in animal studies[7, 9]. Alfalfa is sometimes used to treat menopause
symptoms.
What are the side effects of alfalfa?
Consuming the large amounts of alfalfa seeds may cause damage to red
blood cells [6].
Akaoqi J and coworkers at University of Florida reported the association of
SLE and alfalfa in a volunteer who developed lupus-like autoimmunity
while ingesting alfalfa seed for a hypercholesterolemia study. [8]
References:
1. Briggs C. Alfalfa. Canadian Pharm J 1994;Mar.2. Castleman M. The
Healing Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1991.3. Leung AY, Foster S.
Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and
Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996. 4. Story JA. Alfalfa
saponins and cholesterol interactions. Am J Clin Nutr 1984. 5. Molgaard J,
von Schenck H, Olsson AG. Alfalfa seeds lower low density lipoprotein
cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in patients with type II
hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis 1987. 6. Malinow MR, Bardana EJ,
Goodnight SH. Pancytopenia during ingestion of alfalfa seeds. Lancet
1981. 7. Shemesh M, Lindrer HR, Ayalon N. Affinity of rabbit uterine
oestradiol receptor for phyto-oestragens and its use in competitive
protein-binding radioassay for plasma coumestrol. J Reprod Fertil 1972. 8
Akaoqi J. et al, Role of non-protein amino acid L-canavanine in
autoimmunity. Autoimmun. Rev. 2006 Jul';5(6):429-35. Epub 2005 Dec 29.
[9] Branca F and Lorenzetti S Health effects of phytoestrogens. Forum
Nutr. 2005; (57): 100-11. [1A] Hong Y, Huang C, Wang S, Lin B. The ethyl
acetate extract of alfalfa sprout ameliorates disease severity of
autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice. Lupus. 2009;18(3):206-15. [1B]
Werner S, Boman K, Einemo I, Erntell M, de Jong B, Lindqvist A, Löfdahl M,
Lofdahl S, Meeuwisse A, Ohlen G, Olsson M, Stamer U, Sellstrom E,
Andersson Y. Outbreak of Salmonella Stanley in Sweden associated with
alfalfa sprouts, July-August 2007. Euro Surveill. 2007 Oct
18;12(10):E071018.2. [1C] Sprouts recalled after positive test for
Salmonella fdlreporter.com 02/05/09
This article was updated on
March 1, 2009
HOME
____________________________________________________
alfafa should be spelled as alfalfa.
Alfalfa Benefits and Side Effects
zhion@zhion.com
zhion@zhion.com
| Alfalfa (lucerne) is native to western Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region a member of the pea family. Its sprout is a popular food. Its dried leaves and heat-treated seeds are used as herbal supplements. |
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More Supplements
Supplements
Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Bladderwrack
Bilberry
Chromium
CLA
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Colostrum
Dandelion
EGCG
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eve. Primrose Oil
Fish Oil
Flaxseed
Garlic
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucosamine
Gotu Kola
Guar Gum
Hyaluronic acid
Lecithin
Lycopene
Milk Thistle
Nattokinase
Passion Flower
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Pycnogenol
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Royal Jelly
Stevia
Whey
Xylitol
More Supplements
Recent Reports
February, 2009
Extracts of alfalfa sprout have been shown to have anti-inflammatory
activities. In a study of autoimmune-prone female mice, researchers
showed that alfalfa sprout ethyl acetate extract attenuated cytokine and
inflammatory responses of self-reactive lymphocytes, increased survial and
life span of the autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice. [1A]
Occasionally, there are reports about outbreak of Salmonella associated
with Alfalfa. In February 2009, alfalfa sprouts from a Wisconsin-based
grower were removed from store shelves in the state and in Minnesota
after routine food safety tests on a package of alfalfa sprouts from Jack &
The Green Sprouts turned up positive for Salmonella, a bacteria that can
cause food-borne illness. [1C]
Outbreak of Salmonella Stanley in Sweden associated with alfalfa sprouts,
happened from July to August 2007. [1B]
February, 2009
Extracts of alfalfa sprout have been shown to have anti-inflammatory
activities. In a study of autoimmune-prone female mice, researchers
showed that alfalfa sprout ethyl acetate extract attenuated cytokine and
inflammatory responses of self-reactive lymphocytes, increased survial and
life span of the autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice. [1A]
Occasionally, there are reports about outbreak of Salmonella associated
with Alfalfa. In February 2009, alfalfa sprouts from a Wisconsin-based
grower were removed from store shelves in the state and in Minnesota
after routine food safety tests on a package of alfalfa sprouts from Jack &
The Green Sprouts turned up positive for Salmonella, a bacteria that can
cause food-borne illness. [1C]
Outbreak of Salmonella Stanley in Sweden associated with alfalfa sprouts,
happened from July to August 2007. [1B]
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
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