Isagenix Ionic Alfalfa
Also known as: Medicago sativa, Alfalfa, Lucerne
Overview
Alfalfa (*Medicago sativa*) is a perennial legume cultivated worldwide for forage and its nutritional properties. Native to Asia and Europe, it's used as a dietary supplement for humans and a feed additive for livestock. Alfalfa is characterized by its high fiber, amino acid, and micronutrient content, including bioactive isoflavonoids and saponins. While it's been studied extensively in livestock, research on human supplementation is limited, and the quality of available evidence is moderate. Most human health claims lack robust clinical trial support. Alfalfa is available in various forms, including powders, tablets, and extracts, though the purported benefits of 'ionic' forms are not scientifically substantiated. Its primary appeal lies in its micronutrient profile, but its efficacy as a human supplement remains uncertain.
Benefits
In livestock, alfalfa supplementation has been shown to decrease feed consumption (SMD -0.98; P<0.001), decrease body weight (SMD -1.4; P<0.001), and increase feed conversion ratio (SMD 0.83; P<0.001), indicating reduced performance in broilers. The isoflavonoids in alfalfa, such as medicarpin and formononetin, possess antioxidant and phytoalexin properties, but direct evidence of these benefits in humans is limited. There is no strong evidence to support specific benefits in human populations. The effect sizes observed in livestock are moderate to large, but these effects are negative in terms of growth performance. The time course of any potential benefits in humans is not well-characterized.
How it works
Alfalfa's mechanism of action is primarily attributed to its isoflavonoids, such as medicarpin and formononetin, which act as phytoalexins in plants and may exhibit antioxidant effects in animals. These compounds may modulate oxidative stress and inflammation, although direct evidence in humans is lacking. In plants, isoflavonoids are released under stress as part of the plant's defense mechanism. While isoflavonoids are absorbed in animals, there is limited data on their absorption and bioavailability in humans. The specific molecular targets and interactions with human body systems remain largely undefined.
Side effects
Alfalfa is generally recognized as safe in moderate amounts for both humans and animals. Common or uncommon side effects are not reported in available studies. Rare side effects may include allergic reactions or gastrointestinal discomfort in sensitive individuals. No significant drug interactions have been reported in the literature. There are no established contraindications, but caution is advised for individuals with legume allergies. Specific recommendations for special populations are lacking, and the safety of alfalfa during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. It is important to note that while generally safe, the limited research in humans warrants caution.
Dosage
There is no established minimum effective dose, optimal dosage range, or maximum safe dose for alfalfa in humans. Livestock studies have used alfalfa at 5-20% of the diet. Timing considerations for human consumption are not established. There is no evidence to suggest that 'ionic' or other specific forms of alfalfa are superior. Absorption factors in humans are not well-studied. No required cofactors have been identified. Due to the lack of human studies, it is difficult to provide specific dosage guidelines, and caution should be exercised when considering alfalfa supplementation.
FAQs
What are the benefits of taking Isagenix Ionic Alfalfa?
There is no strong evidence supporting significant health benefits of alfalfa in humans. Livestock studies show it can reduce growth performance in broilers. Claims of unique benefits from 'ionic' forms are not scientifically supported.
Is Isagenix Ionic Alfalfa safe?
Alfalfa is generally considered safe, but it is not well-studied in humans. Possible side effects include allergic reactions or gastrointestinal discomfort. Caution is advised, especially for those with legume allergies.
How should I take Isagenix Ionic Alfalfa?
There are no established guidelines for dosage or timing in humans. Claims of superior bioavailability for 'ionic' forms are not supported by evidence. Consult a healthcare professional before use.
What results can I expect from taking Isagenix Ionic Alfalfa?
No significant benefits have been demonstrated in humans. Livestock studies suggest negative effects on growth performance. Claims of specific health benefits are not supported by current scientific literature.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16662937/ – This study investigated the effects of ploidy level on RuBPCase, a key enzyme in photosynthesis, in isogenic populations of alfalfa. The findings indicated that ploidy level did not affect the kinetic properties of RuBPCase. This research is primarily relevant to plant biochemistry and not directly applicable to human supplementation.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12232319/ – This experimental study examined the effects of heavy metals and root immersion on isoflavonoid metabolism in alfalfa seedlings. The results showed that metal treatment and root immersion altered isoflavonoid metabolism, increasing medicarpin and decreasing certain conjugates. This study provides mechanistic insights into plant physiology but is not a human clinical trial.
- https://advetresearch.com/index.php/AVR/article/view/2064 – This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of alfalfa supplementation on broiler performance, including 8 eligible studies. The key findings indicated that alfalfa supplementation decreased feed consumption and body weight, while increasing the feed conversion ratio, suggesting reduced performance in broilers. The study is limited to livestock and its direct relevance to humans is uncertain.
- https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/13/11/2004 – This review discusses the potential of alfalfa as a sustainable protein source, highlighting its nutritional composition and potential applications in food and feed. It emphasizes the need for further research to optimize alfalfa processing and utilization. While it provides insights into alfalfa's nutritional value, it does not focus on specific health benefits or clinical outcomes in humans.
