Thursday 2 April 2015

Chlorophyll


What is it?

 Chlorophyll is the green coloration in leaves





Chlorophyll is the molecule that absorbs sunlight and uses its energy to synthesise carbohydrates from CO2 and water. This process is known as photosynthesis and is the basis for sustaining the life processes of all plants. Since animals and humans obtain their food supply by eating plants, photosynthesis can be said to be the source of our life also.

Chlorophyll as a Photoreceptor
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 Chlorophyll is the molecule that traps this 'most elusive of all powers' - and is called a photoreceptor. It is found in the chloroplasts of green plants, and is what makes green plants, green. The basic structure of a chlorophyll molecule is a porphyrin ring, co-ordinated to a central atom. This is very similar in structure to the heme group found in hemoglobin, except that in heme the central atom is iron, whereas in chlorophyll it is magnesium.

This sunlight is in the green region of the spectrum, and since it is reflected, this is the reason plants appear green. Chlorophyll absorbs so strongly that it can mask other less intense colours. Some of these more delicate colours (from molecules such as carotene and quercetin) are revealed when the chlorophyll molecule decays in the Autumn, and the woodlands turn red, orange, and golden brown. Chlorophyll can also be damaged when vegetation is cooked, since the central Mg atom is replaced by hydrogen ions. This affects the energy levels within the molecule, causing its absorbance spectrum to alter. Thus cooked leaves change colour - often becoming a paler, insipid yellowy green.
As the chlorophyll in leaves decays in the autumn, the green colour fades and is replaced by the oranges and reds of carotenoids.

Chlorophyll is the green liquid found in plants. It is has been compared to blood by botanists, and like blood it sustains life. Chlorophyll is commonly used as a health supplement in the United States and abroad.

What are the benefits of using liquid chlorophyll?

Because chlorophyll is a renewing agent, it is able to help preserve a youthful appearance. It works by maintaining healthy tissue throughout the body. Chlorophyll helps red blood cells collect oxygen to boost cell regeneration. Because haemoglobin, the red blood cells and chlorophyll share similar molecules, chlorophyll can be used to treat anaemia.



 Red Blood Cell Regeneration
Chlorophyll works much the same as haemoglobin does within the body because chlorophyll and haemoglobin have nearly identical molecular structures. Chlorophyll stimulates and aids in the regeneration of red blood cells, and its magnesium component aids the blood in collecting and transporting oxygen throughout the body. J. Howell Hughes and A.L. Latner, from the Department of Physiology, University of Liverpool, showed through experiments that highly anaemic animals can improve rapidly with their blood cell counts improving to normal when they are given liquid chlorophyll.

Anticarcinogenic
Liquid chlorophyll has been shown to act as an anticarcinogenic by "inhibiting the metabolism of procarcinogens within the body and decreasing the carcinogen's ability to bind and damage DNA," according to the Healthcare Information Directory. Liquid chlorophyll's protection against carcinogens extends to airborne pollution, fungus-laden foods and toxins in meat products.

 Bad Breath
Liquid chlorophyll is a remedy for bad breath. It has been used for years as an additive to a dog's water to aid in reducing the bad smells that often reside in dog's breath. In humans, liquid chlorophyll acts as both a deodoriser in the mouth and aids in maintaining a healthy digestive tract.

 Pure Liquid Chlorophyll
When you choose a supplement, take only pure liquid chlorophyll that is extracted from plants. Chlorophyll extracted from alfalfa is the most common. Take 1 tbsp chlorophyll with ½ cup water. Since chlorophyll varies from plant to plant, it is a good idea to also ingest chlorophyll by adding green plants, algae and grasses to your diet. This will help to vary the types of chlorophyll in your body, allowing you to obtain even greater benefits.
 
  
 
 References:  Professor Paul May
BSc, PhD(Bristol), CChem, MRSC


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