Chlorophyll: A Building Block to Life
Chlorophyll is a natural pigment found in many vegetables and fruits. You may want to try it to clear your complexion, but there are even more benefits to including chlorophyll in your diet. Let’s talk more about what chlorophyll is and what it can do for you.
Chlorophyll is Present in Most Plants and is Essential to Life on Earth.
What Is Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is a fat-soluble compound that gives plants their green color and absorbs light for the plant to convert into energy during photosynthesis.
Plants Use Chlorophyll to Create Carbohydrates.
Medicinally, chlorophyll is recognized as an antioxidant and used as a coloring agent in food. The chlorophyll you learned about in grade school is slightly different from the supplement form that is finding renewed popularity.
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Chlorophyll Vs. Chlorophyllin
Chlorophyllin Is Available as Liquids, Tablets, and Powders.
Most chlorophyll supplements actually contain chlorophyllin, a partially synthetic compound with copper and sodium.
The copper-sodium addition creates a shelf-stable, water-soluble form that is easier for your body to absorb. Chlorophyllin is also used as a coloring agent in different foods, medications, and cosmetics. The benefits of chlorophyllin are consistent with what we know about natural chlorophyll. However, chlorophyllin supplements can contain additives and are more likely to cause unpleasant side effects.
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Is Chlorophyll Safe?
As a naturally occurring element in food, chlorophyll is considered safe.
Read Your Ingredient Labels To Check For Additives.
There have been isolated occurrences of the following with chlorophyllin supplementation:
Stomach upset, flatulence, nausea
Copper imbalances - copper toxicity is rare but can affect your central nervous system
Discoloration of your tongue or bowel movements
False positives for blood on stool sampling tests
Limited methotrexate metabolism
You may also become more prone to sunburn or heat rash. If you are using retinoid creams or other medications (some oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and antibiotics) that cause sun sensitivity, be mindful of protecting your skin.
These side effects are minimal and easily resolved by discontinued use of the supplement.
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What Does Chlorophyll Do for Your Body?
Chlorophyll has long been known as an antioxidant and a topical treatment for wounds.
The Vitamins A, c, E, and K found in chlorophyll contribute to its Skin-Clearing Benefits.
Chlorophyll stimulates collagen production, so you can use it to treat sun-damaged or aging skin. As it applies to gut health, chlorophyll and chlorophyllin can block the absorption of cancer-causing compounds in your digestive system. They have also been used in the past to decrease urinary or bowel movement odor caused by disease.
As with any food component, chlorophyll is an essential part of a package. The fiber and enzymes found in vegetables are necessary for you to receive the most benefit.
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What Is the Best Way to Get Chlorophyll?
Eating a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables will give you the nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants you need to live well.
While there are many supplements available, the best way to get chlorophyll is by consuming green, leafy vegetables.
Fresh spinach, parsley, and dark salad greens are excellent sources of chlorophyll. Frozen vegetables and dried seaweeds retain their chlorophyll as well.
Get creative! You can blend your veggies into smoothies, juices, pasta, or stir fry. Minimize cooking time to maximize your nutritional benefits. You can also make your own chlorophyll extract at home.
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How to Extract Chlorophyll at Home
This chlorophyll can be added to your food, beverages, or face masks in moderation.
You will need distilled water, spinach (or other leafy green of choice), a blender, cheesecloth, and a saucepan.
CHlorophyll Can Be Easily Extracted from Many Leafy Greens.
Add a small amount of water and some spinach to a blender.
Blend until liquified.
Carefully strain the liquid into a saucepan. (You have the option to stop here and use this liquid.)
Simmer on low heat until the chlorophyll rises to the top (about 1 minute).
Strain the liquid again. The green solid material left in the strainer is your chlorophyll.
Store your chlorophyll by refrigerating it in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
While it can be tempting to run and get the “next new thing”, the best way for you to get a good amount of chlorophyll is to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
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References
Bohn, T. (2004, December 1). Chlorophyll‐bound Magnesium in Commonly Consumed Vegetables and Fruits: Relevance to Magnesium Nutrition. Journal of Food Science. Retrieved February, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227657489_Chlorophyll-bound_Magnesium_in_Commonly_Consumed_Vegetables_and_Fruits_Relevance_to_Magnesium_Nutrition
Cho, S. (2014, March 30). The Role of Functional Foods in Cutaneous Anti-aging. PubMed. Retrieved February, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26064850/
Lee, H. (2021, February 15). Pheophorbide a Derivatives Exert Antiwrinkle Effects on UVB-Induced Skin Aging in Human Fibroblasts. PubMed. Retrieved February, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33671886/
Mellor, J. D. (2013, July 2). A case of delayed methotrexate clearance following administration of a complementary medication containing chlorophyll. PubMed. Retrieved February, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23824495/
Silva, A. (2019, February 1). Effect of Oven-Drying on the Recovery of Valuable Compounds from Ulva rigida, Gracilaria sp. and Fucus vesiculosus. MDPI. Retrieved February, 2022, from https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/17/2/90/htm
Smith, R. G. (2008, August 1). Enzymatic debriding agents: an evaluation of the medical literature. PubMed. Retrieved February, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18716339/
Sudakin, D. L. (2003, September 4). Dietary aflatoxin exposure and chemoprevention of cancer: a clinical review. PubMed. Retrieved February, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12733859/
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