Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllin
Chlorophyll is the natural substance that gives green plants their color. It has the amazing ability to take the solar energy of the sun, and transform it into chemical energy that can provide food for life on earth. In the process, plants also change carbon dioxide into oxygen, cleaning up the air. The chlorophyll molecule is a chelate, or a metal bonded in the center of a large organic ring. The ring is made up of oxygen, carbon and nitrogen, and in chlorophyll the metal is magnesium. Chlorophyll also has a long hydrocarbon tail which can't dissolve in water, so it is a fat soluble substance.
Humans use two similar molecules. One is heme, a part of hemoglobin. Heme is also an organic ring with a mineral, iron, at the center. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a ring with the mineral cobalt at the center.
You may think because of the name that chlorophyll contains a chloride atom, but this isn't so. The name comes from the Greek chloros, meaning yellowish-green. The name chloride also comes from this Greek root.
A compound that is similar to chlorophyll but produced synthetically is chlorophyllin. The magnesium atom is replaced with a copper atom and the long hydrocarbon tail is removed, so that chlorophyllin is water soluble. Little is known about how chlorophyll and chlorophyllin are absorbed and metabolized, although tests have shown that chlorophyllin is absorbed by the body. Here are some of the beneficial things these phytonutrients can do for us.
Both these substances can bond tightly to certain carcinogens, such as those in tobacco smoke, cooked meats and aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are fungi found in moldy grains and legumes, and are especially a problem in hot, humid countries that don't have proper food storage, such as African and Asian countries. Aflatoxins are known to cause liver cancer, and there is a compound found in the urine of people who have liver damage due to aflatoxins. In a Chinese study, participants who took supplements of chlorophyllin the urine marker was substantially decreased. Read more about this study. This indicates that chlorophyllin can reduce DNA damage due to aflatoxins, and it may have the same effect with other types of cancers, although these haven't been tested yet.
These substance are powerful antioxidants. Chlorophyllin has been shown to neutralize several oxidants in lab tests. They also may prevent some chemicals from being metabolized into carcinogens in the body.
Chlorophyllin was used as long ago as the 1940s as a topical ointment to promote wound healing. It is still available today in a prescription ointment for this same use. It is also used as an internal deodorant, to reduce the odor from colostomies and ileostomies. Food, drugs and cosmetics use it to dye their products green.
Just about all green plants contain chlorophyll, but the best sources are dark, leafy greens such as spinach, parsley, cress and kale. Green algae is marketed as a good source of chlorophyll. Most of the over the counter supplements sold are chlorophyllin, since this is a lot more stable than natural chlorophyll. There are no toxic side effects known for these substances. Some harmless effects are green urine and feces, yellow or black tongue, and a mild burning or itching when used as a topical solution.
The information on this page is not meant to be used in treatment of medical conditions. Please seek the advice of a physician about any medical condition or symptom. Those with medical conditions should consult a medical professional about the appropriateness of taking dietary supplements or diet therapy, and how these methods will interact with their medications.
The Wheat Grass Grower does chlorophyll.
Chemical of the Week: Chlorophyll
Phytochemical Society of North America
Phytochemical Society of Europe
For detailed information about the chemical structure, formula, and molecular weight of various phytonutrients, visit
The US Dept of Agriculture.
Phytochemicals also gives detailed information on specific phytochemicals.
Search for herbs at the Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center website.