Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll and hemoglobin
    Chlorophyll and cancer prevention

Chlorophyll and excretion of toxins
    Chlorophyll and dietary supplements

Why vegetation in the process of growth and maturation, is usually painted in a distinctive green color? This occurs because the pigment chlorophyll contained in abundance in the leaves of plants. It is also called "liquid sunshine" - for the unique ability to absorb the energy of sunlight.

Living plant organisms consist of different cell types. The latter can be divided into two groups: one is responsible for the metabolism, while the other is used for mechanical support or helps to circulate the liquid inside the plant.

Metabolically active (parenchymal) cells contain all of the cell organelles. For plant cells, typical organelles are chloroplasts, chromoplasts, amyloplasts and etioplasts.

Chloroplasts contain all that is necessary for photosynthesis and are usually colored green. They mostly occur in leaf cells, although they can be found in other tissues green. All chloroplasts contain the pigment chlorophyll, which name is composed of two bases: chloros = green and phyllon = leaf (ancient Greek).

In 1915, Dr. Richard Wilshtatter was awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of such chemical compound as chlorophyll: a grid of atoms of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen around a magnesium atom.

Fifteen years later, in 1930, the Nobel Prize was awarded to Dr. Hans Fischer, who discovered the chemical structure of hemoglobin, and was surprised to find that it is almost identical to chlorophyll.

Hemoglobin (consisting of heme and globin) is a pigment, coloring red blood cells in the red, in the same way as chlorophyll making plants green.

Metabolic state of chlorophyll, day and night changes. During the day this chloroplast actively collects light energy, transforming it into chemical energy (photosynthesis). Chemical energy is used for the synthesis of, for example, sugars or fixing nitrogen in amino acids, the building materials of the protein synthesis.

Ultimately, almost all living organisms vary by photosynthesis for their energy supply and the existence in the Earth in general. In addition, photosynthesis affects the production of oxygen, which constitute a substantial portion of our planet's atmosphere.

Chlorophyll and cancer prevention

Experimental studies have confirmed that chlorophyll is able to exert anti-cancer effect. It is known that the onset of cancer requires transformation of certain chemical agents (called also procarcinogens), in result of metabolic processes, in carcinogens, which can destroy DNA, or other specific molecules in their sensitive tissues. Laboratory studies show that chlorophyll can reduce the activity of enzymes that cause this transformation.

Japanese scientists studied 60 species of plants and vegetables, found that most of them have anti-cancer properties. The greatest antimutagenic properties are inherent all plants that are rich in chlorophyll - brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach, chard (leaf beet), alfalfa, chlorella, spirulina, wheat germs and barley sprouts.

Another possible explanation for the anticancer mechanism of some derivatives of the chlorophyll may be the fact that it acts as a interceptor, preventing the absorption of aflatoxin and other components of the diet that can lead to cancer. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a liver carcinogen produced by certain species of fungi; it can be found in moldy grains and legumes, peanuts and soybeans.

In hot and humid regions where the grain storage is not correct, a high level of dietary AFB1 associated with risk of epithelioma of the liver (hepatocellular carcinoma). Through the metabolic processes, AFB1 is transformed in the liver into a carcinogen that can affect DNA and cause mutations. Animal experiments have shown that taking chlorophyll when eating AFB1 significantly reduced carcinogenic DNA damage in the liver of rainbow trout and rats, and depending on the dosage, even suspended the development of liver cancer in trout.

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