What is chlorophyll and how many types are there?

Chlorophyll has a fundamental biological activity, since it makes photosynthesis possible, a process that culminates with the transformation of light energy into chemical energy.

There are five types of chlorophyll: A, B, C, D (plants) and bacteriochlorophyll (found in bacteria)each with its corresponding band of wavelengths, which gives them different light absorption properties. The most common types They are A and B.

• The one of type A It represents around 75% of all chlorophylls in green plants: They capture light energy within the red and violet spectrum.
• Chlorophyll type B is a minor pigment that does not absorb light within the most common wavelength, but has the property of transferring the energy received to type A chlorophylls, which finally convert that light energy into chemical energy.

Therapeutic properties of chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is an easily digestible source of vitamins and mineralswith great antioxidant potential.

Provides vital energy Coming from plant photosynthesis, it detoxifies and oxygenates cells.

Furthermore, because its chemical structure is very similar to hemoglobin -the difference lies only in that hemoglobin contains iron in its core while chlorophyll contains magnesium–, acts as a good blood restorative.

Health benefits

All these properties make it an ideal nutritional supplement for the treatment of the following pathologies:

• Relieves constipation and kills certain pathogenic bacteria in the intestine.
• Increases the repair damaged tissuesmaking it effective for the treatment of both internal and external ulcers.
• It is a contributor to the treatment of calcium oxalate stones.
• Good restorative in anemia and states of convalescence.
• Help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Alleviates side effects of some drugs.
• owns deodorizing propertiesso it reduces odors from body excretions (sweat, urine and feces).
• It is also useful for fight bad breath caused by tobacco, alcoholic beverages and food.
• Anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic. Chlorophyll forms complexes with some carcinogenic compounds that we ingest with food and favors its expulsion from the body.

How to add it to the diet?

The main sources of chlorophyll are:

• the algae (especially chlorella, spirulina, and Klamath Lake blue-green algae)
• the cereals such as barley, wheat, alfalfa and kamut
• in smaller quantities, the green leafy vegetables such as spinach, watercress, chard or cabbage.

Here is the list of 6 vegetables loaded with chlorophyll: