Is Alfalfa good for you?

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), also known as lucerne, is a flowering, perennial legume that favours warmer climates. Most of the plant, including the seeds, leaves, and sprouts, is used nutritionally and medicinally.

The roots of the alfalfa plant burrow deep in the soil to reach minerals inaccessible to other plants. It searches out nutrients and minerals from deposits in the soil while its leaves contain abundant chlorophyll, an essential component of photosynthesis.

Alfalfa is known as both “king of the herbs” and “the father of all foods” because of its high nutrient content, which includes:
– Potassium
– Phosphorus
– Biotin
– Folic acid
– Iron
– Calcium
– Vitamins A, C, E, K, and all the B vitamins
– Protein

Dr. Shaklee, in his book A Study Course In Nutrition, talks about alfalfa:

“The nutritional values in alfalfa—as in all other fruits and vegetables—depend upon the richness of the soil in which it is grown. It also depends upon the treatment it has received since it was harvested, as many of the foods on your table contain less than one-tenth of their original
nutritional values.

Alfalfa contains about five times as much protein as milk. It is higher in protein values than meat, eggs, or whole grains. It is five to 20 times higher in calcium, and many times higher in iron. It is exceptionally rich in vitamin A, being almost equal to the liver. It contains a good supply of B vitamins and vitamin E.

However, the vitamin for which it is most noted is vitamin K. It contains from 250 to 400 units of vitamin K to every gram.”

Benefits of Taking Alfalfa Supplements

Alfalfa’s cholesterol-lowering ability is its best-studied health benefit to date.

One study of 15 people found that, on average, eating 40 grams of alfalfa seeds three times per day decreased total cholesterol by 17% and “bad” LDL cholesterol by 18% after eight weeks.

This effect is attributed to its high content of saponins, which are plant compounds known to lower cholesterol levels.

There is also a long list of traditional uses of alfalfa as a medicinal herb. This includes lowering blood pressure, acting as a diuretic, increasing breast milk production, treating arthritis, and getting rid of kidney stones.

According to Dr. Richard Brouse, his experience has shown that alfalfa helps with:

You can learn more about the benefits of alfalfa by watching this video:
The Power of Shaklee Alfalfa

Shaklee Alfalfa Complex

One of the first products Dr. Shaklee introduced when he formed the company in 1956 was a tablet made using high-quality alfalfa powder derived from the aerial parts (leaves and stem materials) of mature alfalfa plants.

Now called Alfalfa Complex to recognize that there are multiple nutrients in alfalfa, it continues to be one of Shaklee’s most popular original products.

Shaklee uses ultra-pure, premium alfalfa grown to maintain vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll-rich leaves.

Alfalfa Complex contains no fungicides, bacteriocides, synthetic hormones, or growth regulators.

Get This

“I love the taste of this alfalfa, the spearmint is nice. I either crush and add it to hot water for tea, or add it to my chocolate Life Shake for a minty taste. I appreciate the quality of this product.”
– Nicole E.

Can Alfalfa Supplements Be Bad for You?

Alfalfa seeds and sprouts do contain an amino acid called L-canavanine, which has been linked to autoimmune disorders. There’s also evidence that they have estrogenic effects, which is why patients with estrogen-sensitive cancers are advised to avoid alfalfa supplementation.

However, Shaklee’s Alfalfa Complex is manufactured using the leaves and stems, which are safe, as explained by Shaklee scientists in this letter published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

This is an excellent example of why it’s important to not only look at the ingredients on the label
but also do some research on how the products are manufactured and the science behind
their development.

And, as should be the norm when taking dietary supplements, it’s critical that you consult your health care provider first to make sure that they’re safe and effective.

Here’s to your health!
Gaetane