Chlorophyllin vs Natural Chlorophyll: Which is better as an internal deodorant and is it safe?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Liquid chlorophyll supplements have surged across social media and Amazon as natural internal deodorants, detox aids, and skin clarifiers. However, thousands of customer reviews highlight confusion over dark green staining, digestive cramping, and the ingredient label listing 'Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin' instead of pure chlorophyll.

Natural Plant Chlorophyll
- Structure: Lipid-soluble, fat-based pigment with a central magnesium atom that gives leafy greens their vibrant color.
- Practical Issue: Because natural chlorophyll is insoluble in water and degrades almost instantly upon exposure to heat, light, and air, stable liquid drops cannot be manufactured using raw unrefined chlorophyll.
- Bioavailability: Poorly absorbed in the human GI tract without dietary fats.

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin (Semi-Synthetic Derivative)
- Structure: A water-soluble salt produced by replacing the central magnesium ion with copper and cleaving off the phytol tail.
- Mechanism: As an internal deodorant, chlorophyllin binds odor-causing compounds (such as trimethylamine, indoles, and sulfur metabolites) in the digestive tract, neutralizing them before they are excreted through perspiration or breath.
- Amazon Shopper Concerns: Stools turning dark green is completely harmless and expected. However, excessive doses (over 300 mg daily) can cause loose stools and mild abdominal cramps.

The Copper Toxicity Question
Shoppers often ask if copper accumulation is dangerous. The copper in standardized USP-grade chlorophyllin is tightly bound within the chlorin ring and does not release toxic ionic copper into the body during typical 100 mg to 200 mg daily use. However, individuals with Wilson's disease or impaired copper excretion should avoid chlorophyllin drops completely.

Final Shopping Advice
If you want a convenient water-soluble internal deodorant or breath freshener, choose Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin drops in dark glass packaging. If you want whole-food nutrients without semi-synthetic salts, opt for broken-cell wall chlorella or spirulina tablets instead.