Overview
People use fulvic acid for conditions such as allergies, eczema (atopic dermatitis), cancer, Alzheimer disease, and others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
How does it work ?
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Insufficient Evidence for
- Hay fever. Early research shows that taking fulvic acid by mouth for 7 days might help reduce allergic reactions in people with allergies to pollen.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis). Early research shows that applying fulvic acid 5% to the skin twice daily for 4 weeks might improve some symptoms of eczema.
- Alzheimer disease.
- Cancer.
- Fatigue.
- Lead toxicity.
- Infection of the airways.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
When applied to the skin: Fulvic acid is POSSIBLY SAFE when used for up to 4 weeks.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Autoimmune diseases: Fulvic acid might increase the activity of the immune system. It might therefore worsen some autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). People with these conditions should be cautious or avoid fulvic acid altogether.
Kashin-Beck Disease: There is some concern that fulvic acid in drinking water might increase the risk of developing Kashin-Beck bone disease. It is thought that the risk is greatest in regions where people do not receive enough selenium in their diet.
Interactions ?
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with FULVIC ACID
Some medications are taken to slow blood clotting. Fulvic acid might increase how quickly blood clots. Taking fulvic acid with these medications might reduce their effects and increase the risk of blood clots.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with FULVIC ACID
Fulvic acid can stimulate the immune system. In theory, taking fulvic acid might decrease the effects of medications that decrease the immune system.
Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), and other corticosteroids (glucocorticoids).Thyroid hormone interacts with FULVIC ACID
Fulvic acid affects thyroid hormone levels. In theory, taking fulvic acid with thyroid hormone might interfere with therapy to make thyroid function normal. People receiving thyroid hormone should use fulvic acid cautiously.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Dosing
Carrasco-Gallardo, C, Guzman, L, and Maccioni, RB. Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity. Int J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;2012:674142. View abstract.
Cornejo, A, Jimenez, JM, Caballero, L, Melo, F, Maccioni, RB. Fulvic acid inhibits aggregation and promotes disassembly of tau fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2011;27(1):143-153. View abstract.
Corsaro, A, Anselmi, C, Polano, M, Aceto, A, Florio, T, De, Nobili M. The interaction of humic substances with the human prion protein fragment 90-231 affects its protease K resistance and cell internalization. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2010;24(1):27-39. View abstract.
Junek, R, Morrow, R, Schoenherr, JI, Schubert, R, Kallmeyer, R, Phull, S, Klocking, R. Bimodal effect of humic acids on the LPS-induced TNF-alpha release from differentiated U937 cells. Phytomedicine 2009;16(5):470-476. View abstract.
Kotwal, GJ. Genetic diversity-independent neutralization of pandemic viruses (e.g. HIV), potentially pandemic (e.g. H5N1 strain of influenza) and carcinogenic (e.g. HBV and HCV) viruses and possible agents of bioterrorism (variola) by enveloped virus neutralizing compounds (EVNCs). Vaccine 6-6-2008;26(24):3055-3058. View abstract.
Lindsey, ME, Tarr, MA. Quantitation of hydroxyl radical during fenton oxidation following a single addition of iron and peroxide. Chemosphere 2000;41(3):409-417. View abstract.
Lu, FJ. Arsenic as a promoter in the effect of humic substances on plasma prothrombin time in vitro. Thromb Res 6-15-1990;58(6):537-541. View abstract.
Peng, A, Wang, WH, Wang, CX, Wang, ZJ, Rui, HF, Wang, WZ, and Yang, ZW. The role of humic substances in drinking water in Kashin-Beck disease in China. Environ Health Perspect. 1999;107(4):293-296. View abstract.
Peng, A, Xu, LQ. The effects of humic acid on the chemical and biological properties of selenium in the environment. Sci Total Environ. 1987;64(1-2):89-98. View abstract.
Peng, A, Yang, C, Rui, H, Li, H. Study on the pathogenic factors of Kashin-Beck disease. J Toxicol Environ Health 1992;35(2):79-90. View abstract.
Peng, A, Yang, CL. Examination of the roles of selenium in the Kaschin-Beck disease. Cartilage cell test and model studies. Biol Trace Elem Res 1991;28(1):1-9. View abstract.
Pittayakhajonwut, P, Dramae, A, Intaraudom, C, Boonyuen, N, Nithithanasilp, S, Rachtawee, P, Laksanacharoen, P. Two new drimane sesquiterpenes, fudecadiones A and B, from the soil fungus Penicillium sp. BCC 17468. Planta Med 2011;77(1):74-76. View abstract.
Sobsey, MD, Hickey, AR. Effects of humic and fulvic acids on poliovirus concentration from water by microporous filtration. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1985;49(2):259-264. View abstract.
Sudre, P, Mathieu, F. Kashin-Beck disease: from etiology to prevention or from prevention to etiology? Int Orthop. 2001;25(3):175-179. View abstract.
van Rensburg, CE, van, Straten A, Dekker, J. An in vitro investigation of the antimicrobial activity of oxifulvic acid. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2000;46(5):853.View abstract.
Verma, S, Singh, A, and Mishra, A. The effect of fulvic acid on pre- and postaggregation state of Abeta(17-42): molecular dynamics simulation studies. Biochim Biophys Acta 2013;1834(1):24-33. View abstract.
Vucskits, AV, Hullar, I, Bersenyi, A, Andrasofszky, E, Kulcsar, M, Szabo, J. Effect of fulvic and humic acids on performance, immune response and thyroid function in rats. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2010;94(6):721-728. View abstract.
Wang, C, Wang, Z, Peng, A, Hou, J, Xin, W. Interaction between fulvic acids of different origins and active oxygen radicals. Sci China C Life Sci 1996;39(3):267-275. View abstract.
Weber JH, Wilson SA. The isolation and characterization of fulvic acid and humic acid from river water. Water Res 1975;9(12)1079-1084.
Yamada, P, Isoda, H, Han, JK, Talorete, TP, Abe, Y. Inhibitory effect of fulvic acid extracted from Canadian sphagnum peat on chemical mediator release by RBL-2H3 and KU812 cells. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2007;71(5):1294-1305. View abstract.
Yang C, Niu C, Bodo M, et al. Fulvic acid supplementation and selenium deficiency disturb the structural integrity of mouse skeletal tissue. An animal model to study the molecular defects of Kashin-Beck disease. Biochem J. 1993;289 (Pt 3):829-35. View abstract.
Yang, CL, Bodo, M, Notbohm, H, Peng, A, Muller, PK. Fulvic acid disturbs processing of procollagen II in articular cartilage of embryonic chicken and may also cause Kashin-Beck disease. Eur J Biochem 12-18-1991;202(3):1141-1146. View abstract.
Carrasco-Gallardo, C, Guzman, L, and Maccioni, RB. Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity. Int J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;2012:674142. View abstract.
Cornejo, A, Jimenez, JM, Caballero, L, Melo, F, Maccioni, RB. Fulvic acid inhibits aggregation and promotes disassembly of tau fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2011;27(1):143-153. View abstract.
Corsaro, A, Anselmi, C, Polano, M, Aceto, A, Florio, T, De, Nobili M. The interaction of humic substances with the human prion protein fragment 90-231 affects its protease K resistance and cell internalization. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2010;24(1):27-39. View abstract.
Gandy JJ, Meeding JP, Snyman JR, et al. Phase 1 clinical study of the acute and subacute safety and proof-of-concept efficacy of carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid. Clin Pharmacol. 2012;4:7-11. View abstract.
Gandy JJ, Snyman JR, van Rensburg CE. Randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid in topical treatment of eczema. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2011;4:145-8. View abstract.
Junek, R, Morrow, R, Schoenherr, JI, Schubert, R, Kallmeyer, R, Phull, S, Klocking, R. Bimodal effect of humic acids on the LPS-induced TNF-alpha release from differentiated U937 cells. Phytomedicine 2009;16(5):470-476. View abstract.
Kotwal, GJ. Genetic diversity-independent neutralization of pandemic viruses (e.g. HIV), potentially pandemic (e.g. H5N1 strain of influenza) and carcinogenic (e.g. HBV and HCV) viruses and possible agents of bioterrorism (variola) by enveloped virus neutralizing compounds (EVNCs). Vaccine 6-6-2008;26(24):3055-3058. View abstract.
Lindsey, ME, Tarr, MA. Quantitation of hydroxyl radical during fenton oxidation following a single addition of iron and peroxide. Chemosphere 2000;41(3):409-417. View abstract.
Lu, FJ. Arsenic as a promoter in the effect of humic substances on plasma prothrombin time in vitro. Thromb Res 6-15-1990;58(6):537-541. View abstract.
Peng, A, Wang, WH, Wang, CX, Wang, ZJ, Rui, HF, Wang, WZ, and Yang, ZW. The role of humic substances in drinking water in Kashin-Beck disease in China. Environ Health Perspect. 1999;107(4):293-296. View abstract.
Peng, A, Xu, LQ. The effects of humic acid on the chemical and biological properties of selenium in the environment. Sci Total Environ. 1987;64(1-2):89-98. View abstract.
Peng, A, Yang, C, Rui, H, Li, H. Study on the pathogenic factors of Kashin-Beck disease. J Toxicol Environ Health 1992;35(2):79-90. View abstract.
Peng, A, Yang, CL. Examination of the roles of selenium in the Kaschin-Beck disease. Cartilage cell test and model studies. Biol Trace Elem Res 1991;28(1):1-9. View abstract.
Pittayakhajonwut, P, Dramae, A, Intaraudom, C, Boonyuen, N, Nithithanasilp, S, Rachtawee, P, Laksanacharoen, P. Two new drimane sesquiterpenes, fudecadiones A and B, from the soil fungus Penicillium sp. BCC 17468. Planta Med 2011;77(1):74-76. View abstract.
Sobsey, MD, Hickey, AR. Effects of humic and fulvic acids on poliovirus concentration from water by microporous filtration. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1985;49(2):259-264. View abstract.
Sudre, P, Mathieu, F. Kashin-Beck disease: from etiology to prevention or from prevention to etiology? Int Orthop. 2001;25(3):175-179. View abstract.
van Rensburg, CE, van, Straten A, Dekker, J. An in vitro investigation of the antimicrobial activity of oxifulvic acid. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2000;46(5):853.View abstract.
Verma, S, Singh, A, and Mishra, A. The effect of fulvic acid on pre- and postaggregation state of Abeta(17-42): molecular dynamics simulation studies. Biochim Biophys Acta 2013;1834(1):24-33. View abstract.
Vucskits, AV, Hullar, I, Bersenyi, A, Andrasofszky, E, Kulcsar, M, Szabo, J. Effect of fulvic and humic acids on performance, immune response and thyroid function in rats. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2010;94(6):721-728. View abstract.
Wang, C, Wang, Z, Peng, A, Hou, J, Xin, W. Interaction between fulvic acids of different origins and active oxygen radicals. Sci China C Life Sci 1996;39(3):267-275. View abstract.
Weber JH, Wilson SA. The isolation and characterization of fulvic acid and humic acid from river water. Water Res 1975;9(12)1079-1084.
Yamada, P, Isoda, H, Han, JK, Talorete, TP, Abe, Y. Inhibitory effect of fulvic acid extracted from Canadian sphagnum peat on chemical mediator release by RBL-2H3 and KU812 cells. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2007;71(5):1294-1305. View abstract.
Yang C, Niu C, Bodo M, et al. Fulvic acid supplementation and selenium deficiency disturb the structural integrity of mouse skeletal tissue. An animal model to study the molecular defects of Kashin-Beck disease. Biochem J. 1993;289 (Pt 3):829-35. View abstract.
Yang, CL, Bodo, M, Notbohm, H, Peng, A, Muller, PK. Fulvic acid disturbs processing of procollagen II in articular cartilage of embryonic chicken and may also cause Kashin-Beck disease. Eur J Biochem 12-18-1991;202(3):1141-1146. View abstract.
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