What Is It?
And Where Does It Come From?
Chlorophyll (also known as Chlorella and Wheat Grass) is chemical
relative of vitamin B12 and is found in the leaves of plants.
Chlorophyll allows plants to use sunlight for energy and it gives
plant leaves their green color.
Many people believe that Chlorophyll contains chlorine, but this is
a myth. There is no chlorine in chlorophyll - the term Chloro derives
from the Greek and means "yellowish green."
Dietary sources of chlorophyll include dark green leafy vegetables
like spinach and romaine lettuce, and vegetables like broccoli and
asparagus.
What Does It Do?
And What Scientific Studies Give Evidence To
Support This?
Plants use chlorophyll to derive energy from sunlight through a
complex series of chemical reactions, and animals need chlorophyll to
help digest food and absorb minerals from their diet.
Chlorophyll is a powerful antioxidant3 and has been used
as a system detoxifier. It may purify the blood, heal tissues and
prevent cancer by scavenging for cancerous free-radicals. 1,2
It may also help the liver build red blood cells.
In addition to its cancer fighting abilities, chlorophyll has been
used to destroy harmful bacteria and is routinely added to chewing
gums for its ability to prevent bad breath.
Chlorophyll has long been known to alleviate gastric distress,
including indigestion and constipation.
Who Needs It?
And What Are Some Symptoms Of Deficiency?
Everyone can benefit from chlorophyll supplementation.
You are susceptible to pollution and the stresses of fast paced
life if you live in a major city. Chlorophyll may scavenge your system
for harmful free radicals and protect you from the damage that they
can do to your muscles and cells.
What's more, if you have a tissue injury that is healing,
chlorophyll may speed healing because of its ability to kill bacteria.
In this way, chlorophyll may play a role in preventing infections.
If your immune system is depressed because of ageing or medical
history, chlorophyll may help to boost its function. Maintaining
healthy muscles is important for immune-system health. Free radicals
and bacteria can damage crucial muscle mass, leaving you at a risk for
infection and illness.
Its ability to stimulate red blood cell production may aid in the
building of muscle tissue, and chlorophyll is thus ideal for the hard
training athlete. Anabolic steroids act to increase protein synthesis
via an increase in red blood cell production, and this may be
responsible for increases in muscle tissue.
Chlorophyll's ability to protect the immune system make it an ideal
supplement pre and post workout. Muscle tissue is most vulnerable to
exercise-induced oxidative damage post-workout, and muscular repair
cannot occur in the presence of free radicals. As a free antioxidant,
chlorophyll will scavenge your system for free-radicals, ensuring that
you grow as much as possible from your workout.
How Much Should Be Taken?
And Are There Any Side Effects?
Strictly adhere to label directions.
No side-effects have been reported in anecdote or scientific
literature.
References:
- Gruskin B. Chlorophyll-its therapeutic place in acute and
suppurative disease. Am J Surg 1940;49:49-56.
- Hayatsu H, Negishi T, Arimoto S, et al. Porphyrins as potential
inhibitors against exposure to carcinogens and mutagens. Mutat Res
1993;290:79-85.
- Rudolph C. The therapeutic value of chlorophyll. Clin Med Surg
1930;37:119-21.