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Spotlight on Chlorophyll

There’s more than one way to get your fill of the green stuff, but which is more effective? We weigh up the benefits of plants vs supplements
Spotlight on Chlorophyll

Green vegetables have always occupied a special position on the plate; parents try desperately to feed them to their children; children try equally hard to avoid them. To them, green means grass – rabbit food. But something seems to shift once adolescence is left behind. Suddenly a kale-parsley-cucumber-celery-apple-wheatgrass smoothie becomes appealing, fashionable even.

And all that green really does represent something special: chlorophyll. It is a crucial part of the photosynthesis process in green plants and algae, and when consumed can help to cleanse and detoxify the body, lower cholesterol and boost immune function.

If your childhood aversion to greens has carried through into adulthood, there’s a cheat for you in the form of chlorophyll supplements. We get the lowdown from two of our nutrition experts.

How are people consuming chlorophyll?

What form do the supplements take?

“Most people get chlorophyll in their diets from green vegetables and in supplement form from green algae such as spirulina and chlorella, and multi-nutrient green ‘superfood’ blends,” says Cliff Harvey, founder of Holistic Performance Nutrition.

Rene Schliebs (nutritionist, medical herbalist, natural fertility and women’s health expert at Mission Nutrition) explains that chlorophyll supplements usually take the form of liquid drops, capsules or powders. “Broken cell chlorella supplements should be sourced,” suggests Rene, “as our digestive systems are unable to break down the tough cell walls. The manufacturing process must do this for us in order for it to work inside the human body. Check the label. If it doesn’t say cracked cell or broken cell, it won’t have any effect.”

What are the benefits of consuming supplementary chlorophyll?

Although Rene says it has a “cleansing and detoxifying ability”, Cliff claims the “health benefits of chlorophyll itself are contentious”. He adds that “green vegetables and nutrient-dense algae may offer health benefits but it is probably more related to the vitamins, minerals, antioxidant compounds, alkaline-forming properties (and potentially chlorophyll) that are responsible for the health-promoting aspects of these foods.”

According to Rene, chlorophyll can “bind to heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead, along with toxins and pesticides. It protects the liver, cleanses the blood, may aid in weight loss, lowering cholesterol, boosting immune function and correcting constipation.” She also adds that it is high in essential amino acids. As with all areas of nutrition, it can be difficult to pinpoint what part of a product is directly responsible for health-giving results. A diet high in green veges and plants could be benefiting from “other antioxidant compounds in vegetables, fruits and oils”, as Cliff suggests.

What type of person might benefit from extra chlorophyll in their diet?

If you experience “thyroid problems, immune system issues such as regular colds or flu, acne, eczema, autoimmune conditions, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, sluggish digestion and fatigue”, a chlorophyll supplement could help, says Rene.

Cliff goes further and suggests that anyone who feels their diet is deficient in fresh vegetables, or a broad variety of fresh vegetables, could experience benefits from

high-chlorophyll supplements, as well as people who are “highly active” and “under a lot of stress”.

Are there any known risks related to chlorophyll drops or supplements? Or are there any people who should avoid them?

“Not as far as I know,” says Cliff. “I don’t think there has been any toxicity observed.” However, Rene warns that pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid chlorophyll supplements because “detoxification is not recommended during this time”.

What sort of dosage is recommended?

Cliff says, “There is no credible recommended dosage.” He also emphasises that eating “plenty of green vegetables and other fresh produce” is the main message, and that people should consider a greens supplement when additional nutrient support is required.

Rene cautions that, as well as following the dosage suggested on the bottle, it’s best to build up slowly, “as detoxification can bring on bowel changes, nausea and headaches.” She also recommends drinking plenty of water.

  1. Lifestream Body Cleanser Chlorella, 90 tablets, $25. 2. Swisse Chlorophyll, 500ml, $31.95. 3. Lifestream Ultimate Veggies, 120g, $40.50. 4. BioBalance Spirulina Powder, 250g, $22.50. 5. Natures Sunshine Liquid Chlorophyll, 475ml, $44.70. 6. Nature’s Way Chlorofresh Liquid Chlorophyll, 473ml, $46.90.

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