Evidence supporting the use of: Chlorophyllin
For the health condition: Body Odor

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chlorophyllin, a water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll, has a history of use for body odor that is supported by some scientific evidence, though the overall quality and quantity of studies are limited. The primary rationale comes from early reports in the 1940s and 1950s, when chlorophyllin was administered orally to reduce odors in patients with colostomies, ileostomies, and in those with incontinence or chronic wounds. Several small studies and case reports during that era suggested that chlorophyllin could act as an internal deodorant, reducing fecal, urinary, and wound-related odors. The presumed mechanism is its ability to bind and neutralize odor-causing compounds in the gastrointestinal tract. However, more recent and rigorous clinical evidence is sparse. A 1980s double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found modest benefit in reducing fecal odor in elderly nursing home patients, but the sample size was small and the effect size modest. No large, well-controlled modern trials exist, and systematic reviews note the lack of robust, contemporary data. Chlorophyllin remains an ingredient in some over-the-counter internal deodorant products, and it is occasionally recommended for individuals with trimethylaminuria (“fish odor syndrome”), though the evidence here is also largely anecdotal. In summary, while there is some scientific basis—primarily from older, lower-quality studies—for the use of chlorophyllin to reduce body odor, the evidence is limited and not definitive. The practice is still sometimes seen in clinical settings, but should be considered only modestly supported by science.

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Products containing Chlorophyllin

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