Research shows that this green pigment helps reduce side effects of cancer radiation and chemotherapy.
Research points to an unexpected ally in the fight against cancer—chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants.
Scientists are uncovering chlorophyll’s remarkable potential in preventing and treating cancer. This green pigment shows promise in inhibiting carcinogen uptake, enhancing immune function, and reducing the side effects of cancer radiation and chemotherapy.
What Is Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plant cells. It plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy, and is responsible for the green color of plants.Chlorophyll is primarily found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and broccoli, as well as in various green plants, algae, and some bacteria. It’s essential for the plant’s ability to grow and develop.
Research suggests that chlorophyll may offer various health benefits when eaten.
Cancer Chemoprevention
A study published in the Journal of Cancer Prevention Research tested the effects of different doses and combinations of chlorophyll on 12,000 animals using chlorophyll-enriched spinach extract. It aimed to understand how these substances affected biomarkers (indicators of biological processes) and tumor development.
The study found that the consumption of 500–4,000 parts per million of dietary chlorophyll demonstrated chemopreventive effects by preventing or hindering the absorption or intake of carcinogens in the body that have the potential to cause cancer.
It also found that dietary chlorophyll could impede or slow down the development of tumors and the transformation of healthy cells into cancerous ones.
Results showed the pigment significantly reduced the occurrence of liver tumors from 29 to 64 percent and improved stomach tumor responses from 24 to 45 percent.
Also, researchers point out that the effects of chlorophyll after the initiation of the cancer process might be equally significant for protecting humans from cancer as they “determined that a diet containing 10% spinach substantially suppressed tumor development in multiple target organs (small intestine, colon, skin, spleen, liver, lung) in the rat when this diet was fed for 34 weeks following carcinogen treatment.”
While chlorophyll has demonstrated potential benefits in inhibiting cancer development during the initiation phase, the authors note that there may be additional protective effects against cancer in the later stages of tumor development that are not fully understood and may not be directly related to the interactions between chlorophyll and carcinogens.
Reducing Carcinogen Risk
Studies also show that chlorophyll can not only reduce the bioavailability of carcinogens but also enhance their elimination and inhibit their metabolism, which can help reduce the risk of cancer and prevent the progression of the disease.In a
2001 study, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers investigated the effects of chlorophyll on a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in human subjects.
Aflatoxin, a carcinogen produced by molds that can contaminate certain foods is associated with an increased risk of HCC.
The study involved giving human subjects 100 milligrams of chlorophyllin three times a day for four months. Chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll.
The results showed that chlorophyllin consumption reduced the urinary excretion of aflatoxin-DNA compounds by 55 percent indicating that the presence of chlorophyllin led to a decreased “biologically effective dose of aflatoxin” in the body.
Protection Against Radiation And Chemotherapy Effects
Chlorophyll has been studied for its potential benefits in reducing the side effects of cancer radiation and chemotherapy. Studies have shown that chlorophyll has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and can enhance immune function.Here are some specific ways in which chlorophyll can help reduce the side effects of cancer radiation and chemotherapy:
Reduce Inflammation: Chlorophyll has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce inflammation caused by cancer radiation and chemotherapy.
A
2021 study published in Biomedicines discussed how chemotherapy disrupts the normal regulation of proteins called cytokines which play a crucial role in inflammation. This disruption can lead immune cells called monocytes to move to areas of inflammation which can then group together and produce more chemicals that cause inflammation. This imbalance in cytokines is harmful, thus chemotherapy can damage healthy tissues, both directly and indirectly, in various parts of the body. The study notes that researchers are now studying how this inflammation in different body organs, such as the gut and liver, might be connected to problems in the brain, such cognitive issues associated with cancer treatment known as “chemobrain.”
A 2023 study published in Molecules states that “chlorophyll has been shown to modulate inflammatory pathways and reduce the production of inflammatory mediators, thereby mitigating the inflammatory response.” This can help reduce the risk of tissue damage and other side effects.
Protect Against Oxidative Stress: Chlorophyll has antioxidant effects, as outlined in the study above, which can help protect against oxidative stress caused by cancer radiation and chemotherapy.
A 2004 study published in Sage Journals found that anticancer drugs used in chemotherapy can create oxidative stress which leads to harmful reactions that can slow down and interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment to kill cancer cells.
The authors note that using antioxidants during chemotherapy might help by reducing these harmful reactions and making the treatment work better.
Enhance Immune Function: Chlorophyll
has been shown to enhance immune function by increasing the production of white blood cells and improving the activity of natural killer cells. This can help the body fight off infections and other harmful pathogens.
Blood-Building Properties: Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause side effects such as internal bleeding which can decrease hemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin is a protein that is essential in red blood cells as it carries oxygen around the body. Chlorophyll is chemically similar to hemoglobin, the only difference is that the central element in hemoglobin is iron, and in chlorophyll it is magnesium.
Researchers have suggested that wheatgrass juice, which is rich in chlorophyll, may be helpful in treating hemoglobin deficiency disorders, such as anemia and thalassemia.
Other Health Benefits of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll has also been studied for its potential benefits as an anti-aging remedy and wound healer.
Anti-aging: Topical chlorophyll may work as an anti-aging remedy by improving skin aging.
A study published in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology showed that skin treated with chlorophyllin improved in a similar way to skin treated with tretinoin, a prescription skin cream that has been proven to help with skin aging. The authors suggest that using a combination of chlorophyllin and tretinoin could be an effective treatment for reversing the signs of photo-aged skin.
Wound Healing: Chlorophyll has been shown to accelerate the wound-healing process in humans.
A study published in the American Journal of Surgery found that chlorophyll can help heal surgical wounds and prevent infections.
Foods Rich in Chlorophyll
Most naturally green vegetables contain chlorophyll and it is present in food by-products, such as stems, leaves, pulps, and peels. Foods that are particularly rich in chlorophyll include:
- Spinach
- Squash
- Kale
- Dandelion
- Green Rocket
- Green Pepper
- Chlorella
- Spirulina
- Leek
- Parsley
- Broccoli
- Green cabbage
- Zucchini
- Green beans and peas
- Cucumber
- Wheatgrass
Supplements
Chlorophyll supplements have been popular since the 1960s and come in liquid, powder, or capsule form.
Although there is no consensus on the recommended daily dosage,
some studies suggest that a daily dosage of 100–300 milligrams of chlorophyll per day for adults can be beneficial for certain health issues.
Possible Side Effects
Minor side effects have been documented such as cramping, diarrhea, itching, and green-colored stools.
Chlorophyll has no known interactions with other drugs but as with anything, consult with a health care professional before incorporating chlorophyll supplements into your diet.
