Ellagic acid
Scientific names: Ellagic Acid
Alternate names: Acide Ellagique, Ácido Elágico, Gallogen
Actions: Anticancer, Anti-malarial, Dermatologic, Cognitive effects
Background
Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring substance. The best sources of ellagic acid in the diet are strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, and walnuts.
Ellagic acid is used for cancer, dark skin patches on the face (melasma), memory and thinking skills (cognitive function), diabetes, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Ellagic acid is used for cancer, dark skin patches on the face (melasma), memory and thinking skills (cognitive function), diabetes, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Ellagic acid is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately for up to 3 months. There isn't enough reliable information to know if ellagic acid is safe or what the side effects might be when used long-term.
When applied to the skin: Ellagic acid is POSSIBLY SAFE when used for up to 6 months. There isn't enough reliable information to know if ellagic acid is safe or what the side effects might be when used long-term.
When applied to the skin: Ellagic acid is POSSIBLY SAFE when used for up to 6 months. There isn't enough reliable information to know if ellagic acid is safe or what the side effects might be when used long-term.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ellagic acid is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using ellagic acid for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of ellagic acid depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for ellagic acid. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Ellagic acid might lower blood sugar levels. Taking ellagic acid along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Ellagic acid might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Ellagic acid may bind to chemicals that cause cancer. It may also prevent the growth of cancer cells and improve the safety and efficacy of some cancer drugs. However, ellagic acid is poorly absorbed and is also eliminated quickly from the body. These characteristics may limit its usefulness as a medicine.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 12/04/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 30/01/2022 05:31:33. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
