Nutrition II - Superfoods - Chlorophyll

Question 1

Chlorophyll: Description

Answer 1

Description: One thing many superfoods have in common is chlorophyll. Plants use chlorophyll to trap light; it is used in Photosynthesis to produce ATP.

Question 2

Chlorophyll: energetics and sources

Answer 2

Energetics: Cooling, calming yang excess
* Gives plants and algae’s their green colour. Rich sources of chlorophyll include dark green leafy vegetbales like spinach, rocket, parsley or cress

Question 3

Chlorophyll: Composition

Answer 3

Composition: the basic structure of chlorophyll is similar to haemoglobin, with a porphyrin ring, but the central atom is magnesium instead iron

Chlorophyll is a good source of vitamins A, C, E, K; magnesium, iron, calcium and potassium

Porphyrin ring = a type of organic compound that can combine metal ions

Question 4

Chlorophyll: benefits & clinical applications

Answer 4

Detoxification
Antioxidant
Reduces inflammation
Support energy production
Promotes wound healing
Deodorant properties

Question 5

Chlorophyll: Detoxification

Answer 5

Detoxification: chlorophyll can combine with certain carcinogenic chemicals, e.g. heterocyclic amines found in cooked meat, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (tobacco smoke, grilled/ charred meats) and aflatoxins (food-born toxins produced by certain fungi). Also positively influences detoxification of carcinogens in the liver by down-regulating phase I enzymes and inducing phase II

Question 6

Chlorophyll: Antioxidant

Answer 6

Antioxidant: Decreases oxidative damage including that induced by chemical carcinogens and radiation treatment with its high antioxidant content. It also appears able to promote endogenous antioxidant activity.

Question 7

Chlorophyll: Reduces Inflammation

Answer 7

Reduces inflammation: shown to inhibit the pro-inflammatory TNF-a gene, which can be activated by like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) released from bacteria. This can be from intestinal bacterial infections/ intestinal permeability.

Lipo polysaccharides = in bacteria cell walls; acts as an ‘endotoxin’

Question 8

Chlorophyll: Support energy production

Answer 8

Supports energy production: Rich in magnesium which is required for production of ATP

Question 9

Chlorophyll: Promotes wound healing

Answer 9

Promotes wound healing: Applied topically (cream/ointment), chlorophyll and has been used to aid wound healing since the 1940s

Question 10

Chlorophyll: Deodorant

Answer 10

Deodorant properties: for example can reduce colostomy, ileostomy or incontinence odour with tablets of 100 to 200 mg/day

Question 11

Chlorophyll:
Alkaline / acidity

Answer 11

Chlorophyll is ‘alkalising’ with its high alkaline mineral content:
* Excess acidity in the body contributes to a range of diseases including cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis and kidney stones
* While the body has mechanisms to prevent acidaemia (blood pH < 7.35 – can be life-threatening), the pH within and around body sales can become more acidic causing alterations to normal cellular function.
* Tissues can become acidic due to certain diseases, drugs, diet (sofa – containing amino acids, processed foods, refined grains and sugar, alcohol, table cell and phosphoric acid (in soft drinks)
Research: The ‘Warburg Effects’ in Cancer

Question 12

Chlorophyll:
Practical use / cooking

Answer 12

Practical use:
Eat chlorophyll-rich food raw cook / steam lightly. Overcooking destroys chlorophyll; retaining the ‘green’ retains the benefits

Note: chlorophyll supplements are usually ‘chlorophyllin’: A semi-synthetic mixture of sodium copper salts derived from chlorophyll. During synthesis, magnesium is replaced with copper