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]
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]
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]
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]
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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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]
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]
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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