The
Importance of Chlorophyll in our Diets
By Liz Barrington,
Natural Body Healing
Chlorophyll is the single most critical substance in plants, the
green pigment that enables them to absorb light from the sun and
convert the light into usable energy in a process called
‘photosynthesis’.
It is known to be the plant’s ‘blood’, in other words the
principle physiology of plant life. Chlorophyll is so important
to plants because it performs metabolic functions such as
respiration and growth.
In 1913, Dr Richard Willstatter, a German chemist found that the
chlorophyll molecule is chemically similar to human haemoglobin
– the red pigment found in blood cells, except that its central
atom is magnesium, whereas that of human blood is iron.
Chlorophyll has an affinity for blood; indeed chlorophyll has
been shown to increase oxygen uptake in the blood which can
increase energy, relieve fatigue and improve many blood
disorders.
Importantly, chlorophyll also supplies our bodies with the
much-needed micronutrient magnesium which is essential to how
our body produces energy. More than 300 enzymes in our body
require the presence of magnesium. In fact 70% of magnesium is
found in the bones and the rest is found mainly in the soft
tissues and in the blood.
Magnesium is also necessary for the metabolism of vitamin C,
phosphorus, potassium and sodium. It’s also important to the
nervous system, to aid restful sleep and for the synthesis of
certain proteins. It also governs how our calcium is used in
the body and helps to relax our muscles and prevent muscle
cramps and spasms. Unfortunately, because of the lack of fresh
green plant-food in what we eat these days, magnesium is all too
often lacking in today’s daily diet.
Many health specialists use chlorophyll as a tonic for the
blood. Scientists are only recently beginning to realise then
importance of chlorophyll in our daily diets and the benefits
that they bring to our health.
Such benefits include:
1. Enhances
the immune function:
Chlorophyll contains a derivative called chlorophyllin which has
been shown to increase the number and activity of various
dominant immune cells including B cells, T cells and macrophages
which are each crucial to our health. Chlorophyll also helps
support the healthy flora in the bowels which also help improve
our immunity function.
2. Powerful
antioxidant:
Chlorophyll has great antioxidant capacity and therefore it
helps neutralise free radicals and limit oxidative damage within
the body.
3. Anti-carcinogenic
properties:
From several animal and in vitro research studies, chlorophyll
and its derivatives have been shown to possess anti-carcinogenic
properties which mean they have the ability to help prevent or
slow down cancer. Chlorophyll was shown to slow down cancer
activity by inhibiting the activation of carcinogens and also by
neutralising free radical oxidants. These studies from
researchers at Yonsei University in Korea have primarily focused
on liver, stomach and colon cancers.
4. Helps
minimise the side effects of chemotherapy:
Chlorophyllin has been shown to successfully halt the undesired
side effects of the chemotherapeutic agent ‘cyclophosphamide’
which helps patients feel a little better during chemo than they
would have felt previously.
5. Supports
healthy blood cells:
Studies have also found that chlorophyll also improves the
health of blood cells by increasing the uptake of oxygen in the
blood.
6. Lowers
the risk of cardiovascular disease:
Austrian scientists have found that chlorophyll and its
derivatives successfully slow down the oxidation of LDL (the
‘bad’ cholesterol) which is a major contributor to
cardiovascular disease.
7. Supports
the body’s detoxification processes and protects against toxins:
Chlorophyll has been shown to have a cleansing effect on the
blood and so can help support the body during a detoxification
programme. This also can help optimise the body’s energy
production by freeing up vital energy stores and increasing
energy levels. In addition, researchers from Oregon State
University have found that chlorophyll can protect several
organs from the effects of a common toxin, known as ‘aflatoxin’
which is often associated with cancer and other serious health
conditions.
8. May
reduce risk of kidney stones:
From studies, chlorophyll has been shown to help protect against
calcium oxalate build-up which can lead to this form of kidney
stone disease.
9. Helps
eliminate body odour:
Chlorophyll may help eliminate or reduce odours associated with
urinary disorders and flatulence in the colon.
The alfalfa plant is an
excellent source of chlorophyll. One teaspoon of Liquid
Chlorophyll can be taken in water twice a day to help encourage proper bowel movement,
improve liver function, and act as a rejuvenative tonic,
improve circulation, reduce inflammation and help balance the
pH of the body.
Liquid Chlorophyll is non-toxic, soothing to body tissues
and safe for use by people of all ages and can only
be purchased from this website if you live in the UK and in Europe.
The above information should not be treated as a substitute for the
medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care
professional.
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