This post is meant for informational purposes for our friends in Vietnam and other parts of Asia and Europe. Synergy offers Chlorophyll Plus as a build product in these markets along with the Vital 3 products of ProArgi9 Plus, Mistica and other products.
Chlorophyll Plus is a combination of chlorophyllin (sodium copper chlorophyllin derived from mulberry and alfalfa) and peppermint oil (Mentha piperita). Sodium copper chlorophyllin is a water-soluble extract obtained from green plants. Chlorophyllin has potent anti-cancer effects and other health benefits. Peppermint oil was added for flavor.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is indigenous to the Mediterranean but has been cultivated in other regions for centuries.1 It has traditionally been used as an appetite stimulant, for digestive support and in the treatment of thyroid conditions, diabetes and water retention. Alfalfa is a good source of vitamins and minerals including A, B1, B6, C, E, K, calcium, potassium, iron and zinc.2 Alfalfa is also an excellent source of carotene and chlorophyll.3
Morus
It is well documented that mulberry leaves are high in chlorophyll content.4
Morus, also called mulberry, is native to China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.5 Mulberry trees are grown extensively for their leaves as food for silkworms.6 The Chinese recommend this herb as an antirheumatic, antihypertensive, and diuretic.5 Japanese scientists have isolated compounds in mulberry leaves that suppress the progression of atherosclerosis and inhibit the oxidation of LDL or “bad” cholesterol.6 Indian researchers have discovered that mulberry leaf extract protects cell membranes from free radical damage.6 Mulberry leaves also contain compounds that decrease high blood sugar levels and may prevent diabetes by suppressing intestinal alpha-glucosidase activity.6
Barley
Barley grass has been shown to support healthy cholesterol levels already within a normal range. An active compound in barley grass, beta-sitosterol, has been shown to contribute to barley grass’ cholesterol supporting actions.7 Barley is also used for maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels and is a good source of vitamins and proteins.8
Studies support the antioxidant activity of barley grass. The ability of barley grass to scavenge free radicals is thought to be due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds. Additional antioxidants, including the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, found in high concentrations in barley grass protect against free radicals.7
Peppermint
Peppermint is an aromatic herb that provides soothing actions to the digestive system. It supports the digestive system by increasing the flow of digestive fluids.
Chlorophyllin
Chlorophyllin can prevent cancer and other degenerative diseases because it is capable of protecting DNA (genes) against insults, such as ionizing radiation and chemical mutagens (substances that disorganize the genes and lay the foundation for cancer).
Scientists have shown that chlorophyllin can prevent and protect against liver cancer.9-12 Some reports show that both drinking and topical application of chlorophyllin can prevent skin cancer.13-15
Chlorophyllin has antioxidant effects; it scavenges free radicals.16 Chlorophyllin boosts the body’s natural antioxidant enzymes17 and in some cases inactivates enzymes that promote cancer.18
Chlorophyllin traps and forms complexes with cancer causing substances, thus reducing the chances of these substances attaching themselves to the genes and causing damage.19-24 Chlorophyllin also facilitates the degradation of toxic metabolites (breakdown products).25
Other studies show that chlorophyllin is nonclastogenic and reduces the clastogenic effects of toxic substances.26-29 This means that chlorophyllin can prevent chromosomal breakage and reduce DNA damage, so genes are better preserved. Chlorophyllin also stimulates the repair of lesions caused by toxic substances, thereby preventing further damage.30
Some doctors have suggested chlorophyllin as a good preventive for kidney stones.31 They suggest that chlorophyllin inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate crystals (stones). Some herbalists recommend chlorophyllin for colic, nausea, indigestion, and flatulence. Chlorophyllin is a deodorizer, thus many herbalists use it to complete a digestive system cleanse. Chlorophyllin is also used as an antiseptic and for neutralizing halitosis (bad breath).
References:
1. Murray L. Alfalfa. Fleming Thomas RPh, ed-in-chief. The PDR for Herbal Medicines 2rd ed. New Jersey: Medical Economics Company, Inc.; 2000:pg 12.
2. PDR Health. Alfalfa. 2007. Available at: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/herbaldrugs/100030.shtml Accessed March 8, 2007.
3. Foster S, Duke J.A. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company; 1990. pg 194.
4. Mechanisms of Adaptation to Increasing Salinity of Mulberry: Proline Content and Ascorbate Peroxidase Activity in Leaves of Multiple Shoots. 2000. Available at: http://scienceasia.tiac.or.th/PDF/vol26/v26_207_211.pdf Accessed March 7, 2007.
5. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. 2nd Ed. Huang KC. CRC Press. Boca Raton, FL. 1999.
6. Life Enhancement. 2007. Mulberry Helps Control Blood Sugar and More. Available at: http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=992 Accessed March 8, 2007.
7. Dermarderosian, A. (Ed.), Review of natural products. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons Publishing Group.
8. Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 8th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2006:pg 99.
9.Dashwood R; Negishi T; Hayatsu H; Breinholt V; Hendricks J; Bailey G. Chemopreventive properties of chlorophylls towards aflatoxin B1: a review of the antimutagenicity and anticarcinogenicity data in rainbow trout. Mutat Res, 399(2):245-53 1998 Mar 2.
10. Sugie S; Okamoto K; Makita H; Ohnishi M; Kawamori T; Watanabe T; Tanaka T; Mori H. Inhibitory effect of chlorophyllin on diethylnitrosamine and phenobarbital-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male F344 rats. Jpn J Cancer Res, 87(10):1045-51 1996 Oct.
11. Reddy AP; Harttig U; Barth MC; Baird WM; Schimerlik M; Hendricks JD; Bailey GS. Inhibition of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene-induced multi-organ carcinogenesis by dietary chlorophyllin in rainbow trout. Carcinogenesis, 20(10):1919-26 1999 Oct.
12. Breinholt V; Arbogast D; Loveland P; Pereira C; Dashwood R; Hendricks J; Bailey G. Chlorophyllin chemoprevention in trout initiated by aflatoxin B(1) bath treatment: An evaluation of reduced bioavailability vs. target organ protective mechanisms. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 158(2):141-51 1999 Jul 15.
13. Higashi-Okai K; Okai Y. Camellia sinensis) against tumor promotion in mouse skin. Sangyo Ika Daigaku Zasshi, 20(3):181-8 1998 Sep 1.
14. Chung WY; Lee JM; Park MY; Yook JI; Kim J; Chung AS; Surh YJ; Park KK. Inhibitory effects of chlorophyllin on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced bacterial mutagenesis and mouse skin carcinogenesis. Cancer Lett, 145(1-2):57-64 1999 Oct 18.
15. Park KK; Surh YJ. Chemopreventive activity of chlorophyllin against mouse skin carcinogenesis by benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide. Cancer Lett, 102(1-2):143-9 1996 Apr 19.
16. Kumar SS; Chaubey RC; Devasagayam TP; Priyadarsini KI; Chauhan PS. Inhibition of radiation-induced DNA damage in plasmid pBR322 by chlorophyllin and possible mechanism(s) of action. Mutat Res, 425(1):71-9 1999 Mar 10.
17. Singh A; Singh SP; Bamezai R. Modulatory influence of chlorophyllin on the mouse skin papillomagenesis and xenobiotic detoxication system. Carcinogenesis, 17(7):1459-63 1996 Jul.
18. Amara-Mokrane YA; Lehucher-Michel MP; Balansard G; Dum´enil G; Botta A. Protective effects of alpha-hederin, chlorophyllin and ascorbic acid towards the induction of micronuclei by doxorubicin in cultured human lymphocytes. Mutagenesis, 11(2):161-7 1996 Mar.
19. Harttig U; Bailey GS. Chemoprotection by natural chlorophylls in vivo: inhibition of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene-DNA adducts in rainbow trout liver. Carcinogenesis, 19(7):1323-6 1998 Jul.
20. Chernomorsky S; Segelman A; Poretz RD. Effect of dietary chlorophyll derivatives on mutagenesis and tumor cell growth. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen, 19(5):313-22 1999.
21. Arimoto-Kobayashi S; Harada N; Tokunaga R; Odo J; Hayatsu H. Adsorption of mutagens to chlorophyllin-chitosan, an insoluble form of chlorophyllin. Mutat Res, 381(2):243-9 1997 Nov 28.
22. Hayashi T; Schimerlik M; Bailey G. Mechanisms of chlorophyllin anticarcinogenesis: dose-responsive inhibition of aflatoxin uptake and biodistribution following oral co-administration in rainbow trout. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 158(2):132-40 1999 Jul 15.
23. Cho YS; Kim BY; Lee ST; Surh YJ; Chung AS. Chemopreventive effect of chlorophyllin on mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of 6-sulfooxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene. Cancer Lett, 107(2):223-8 1996 Oct 22.
24. Negishi T; Rai H; Hayatsu H. Antigenotoxic activity of natural chlorophylls. Mutat Res, 376(1-2):97-100 1997 May 12.
25. Hernaez J; Xu M; Dashwood R. Effects of tea and chlorophyllin on the mutagenicity of N-hydroxy-IQ: studies of enzyme inhibition, molecular complex formation, and degradation/scavenging of the active metabolites. Environ Mol Mutagen, 30(4):468-74 1997.
26. Sarkar D; Sharma A; Talukder G. Clastogenic activity of pure chlorophyll and anticlastogenic effects of equivalent amounts of crude extract of Indian spinach leaf and chlorophyllin following dietary supplementation to mice. Environ Mol Mutagen, 28(2):121-6 1996).
27. Keshava C; Keshava N; Whong WZ; Nath J; Ong TM. Inhibition of methotrexate-induced chromosomal damage by vanillin and hlorophyllin in V79 cells. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen, 17(6):313-26 1997-98.
28. Della Croce C; Morichetti E; Intorre L; Soldani G; Bertini S; Bronzetti G. Biochemical and genetic interactions of two commercial pesticides with the monooxygenase system and chlorophyllin. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol, 15(1):21-8 1996.
29. Okai Y; Higashi-Okai K; Yano Y; Otani S. Suppressive effects of chlorophyllin on mutagen-induced umu C gene expression in Salmonella typhimurium (TA 1535/pSK 1002) and tumor promoter-dependent ornithine decarboxylase induction in BALB/c 3T3 fibroblast cells. Mutat Res, 370(1):11-7 1996 Aug.
30. Morales-Ram´irez P; Vallarino-Kelly T; Rodr´iguez-Reyes R. Effect of chlorophyllin on gamma ray induced micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes of murine peripheral blood determined by the ABC strategy. Mutat Res, 367(2):51-6 1996 Feb.
31. Desjardins, A; Tawashi, R. Growth retardation of calcium oxalate by sodium copper chlorophyllin. Eur Urol 1978;4(4): 294-297.
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