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Herbal / Plant Therapies: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
Natural Standard
Patient Monograph, Copyright © 2004. Commercial distribution
prohibited. This monograph is intended for informational purposes
only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You
should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making
decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.
Background: Alfalfa has a long history of dietary
and medicinal use. A small number of animal and preliminary human
studies report that alfalfa supplements may lower blood levels of
cholesterol and glucose. However, most research has not been well
designed. Therefore, there is not enough reliable evidence to form
clear conclusions in these areas.
Alfalfa supplements taken by mouth appear to be generally well
tolerated. However, ingestion of alfalfa tablets has been
associated with reports of a lupus-like syndrome or lupus flares.
These reactions may be due to the amino acid L-canavanine which
appears to be present in alfalfa seeds and sprouts, but not in the
leaves. There are also rare cases of pancytopenia (low blood
counts), dermatitis (skin inflammation) and gastrointestinal upset.
Evidence
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Uses based on scientific evidence |
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These uses
have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness
have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are
potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified
healthcare provider. |
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Grade* |
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High
cholesterol |
C |
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Reductions in blood levels of total cholesterol and
low-density lipoprotein ("bad cholesterol") have been
reported in animal studies and in a small number of human
cases. High-density lipoprotein ("good cholesterol") has not
been altered in these cases. Although this evidence is
promising, better research is needed before a firm conclusion
can be reached..
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Atherosclerosis (cholesterol plaques in heart arteries) |
C |
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Several
studies in animals report reductions in cholesterol plaques
of the arteries after use of alfalfa. Well-designed research
in humans is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.
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Diabetes |
C |
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A small
number of rat studies report reductions in blood sugar levels
following ingestion of alfalfa. Human data are limited, and
it remains unclear if alfalfa can aid in the control of
sugars in patients with diabetes or hyperglycemia.
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Chronic heart
disease (CHD)
is now the leading cause of death
among Americans. Though several factors can contribute to the
development of CHD such as genetics and illness, perhaps the
most widely discussed is dietary cholesterol.
Alfalfa
is proven to reduce bad cholesterol, among its many other
benefits.
Vital to our health, cholesterol, a waxy substance produced
mainly in the liver, is crucial to the
development of hormones
such as estrogen and testosterone and to the maintenance
of cell membranes, particularly cells of the nervous system.
In order to
circulate within the bloodstream, cholesterol, which is water
insoluble (think of oil on top of water) must be bound to special
proteins (lipoproteins) of which there are two prominent types,
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) commonly referred to as 'bad
cholesterol' which transports cholesterol to receptor sites in
cells, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL),
or 'good cholesterol' which returns cholesterol to the
liver where it is metabolized once again. It is believed that
estrogen receptors in the liver stimulate the production HDL.
Among other sypmtoms,
upon reaching menopause in women, levels of HDL decrease in
relation to declining estrogen production and the risk of heart
disease increases dramatically.
Some cholesterol is stored in the gall bladder as 'bile acid'
where it is secreted into the small intestine to aid in the
digestion of dietary fat (also water insoluble). It is the
consumption of certain fats, particularly saturated and
hydrogenated fats, that affects the level of cholesterol within
our blood serum. The more
fat we consume, the more cholesterol the liver produces
(namely LDL) in order to ensure abundant bile acid for digestion.
Reabsorbed
through the small intestine it enters the blood stream once again
where it can become bound to other sticky substances and
deposit onto arterial walls forming plaque which can restrict
blood flow and deprive vital organs of oxygen and nutrients.
This can result in a heart attack or stroke.
Alfalfa
contains saponins that binds to bile acids in the intestines
preventing them from being reabsorbed into the blood stream thus
preventing deposit build up and heart attacks!
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