Focus On: Chlorophyll and Its Benefits

If the only thing you know about chlorophyll is a hazy memory of a middle school science class pop quiz (or an iconic quote from an Adam Sandler movie), it’s time to reacquaint yourself with this magical stuff.

What is chlorophyll?

In a nutshell, chlorophyll is a green pigment found in all plants that helps them absorb sunlight to create energy and gives them their distinctive “I’m a plant” coloring.

Why you may want to start using chlorophyll…

No, you’re not a plant, but you are a living thing that can seriously benefit from making sure you’re getting enough chlorophyll every day. Why? Well for starters, the stuff is packed with vitamins A, C, and E, which means it’s a powerful antioxidant. What’s more, though, is that it’s also a potent detoxifier.

Chlorophyll possesses a chemical structure that allows it to bind to harmful chemicals and toxins that, if left to their own devices, could turn into carcinogens when metabolized. Instead, chlorophyll grabs hold and stops them from being absorbed into the intestines and liver.

It’s also a wiz at keeping blood oxygenated, delivering oxygen (you know, that stuff we need to survive) throughout the body via the bloodstream to make sure everything is getting enough to function at optimal levels.

Obviously, the internal benefits of chlorophyll will show up on the outside as well since the health of your skin and hair mirrors that of your insides. But chlorophyll can also be used topically to promote blood cell production, thereby getting oxygen to your skin cells faster for more dewy-ness. It’s also been shown to help heal wounds thanks to its antioxidant makeup, which is a good thing for preventing and reducing pesky blemishes. And those vitamins I mentioned earlier? Their antioxidant properties help fight free radicals.

How to use chlorophyll…

Drink it!

For the days when you just don’t have the time or energy to load up your blender with an entire bunch of kale (or you don’t feel like dropping $15 on a green juice), adding a few drops of chlorophyll to a glass of water will do the trick. While you should definitely still be chomping down on those leafy greens, throwing back some liquid chlorophyll will ensure you get the same immunity-boosting, skin-glowing benefits. For regular use, add a few drops (about one teaspoon) of liquid chlorophyll to a glass of water twice a day and sip away.

Eat it!

It you’d rather get your teeth involved, it’s pretty simple to get your chlorophyll fix every day through a gorgeous green salad of dark, leafy greens. The darker the green, the higher concentration of the stuff it contains so opt for stuff like spinach, arugula, collard greens and kale. It’s best absorbed when eaten with some fat, so top your bowl with avocado, walnuts or salmon for the biggest body benefits. And always opt for raw greens if you can — chlorophyll levels in leafy greens can decrease by up to 50 percent when cooked.

Put it on your skin!

It’s almost a guarantee that any type of mask you use with a green tint contains a form of chlorophyll, usually in the form of chlorella, a blue-green algae that’s packed with the stuff. So get your mermaid on and look for products with an emerald hue to impart chlorophyll’s benefits on your face. Like I said earlier, it’ll promote cell production, oxygenate skin, aid in hydration and heal any blemishes that may pop up.

This information is not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease or issue. 
Please seek your doctor’s advice for any questions regarding a specific condition and before beginning any exercise, diet or health-related regimen.