Original Link: 

U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health:

About Frontiers In Science:

Frontiers is a leading Open Access Publisher and Open Science Platform. Their journals are led and peer-reviewed by editorial boards of over 100,000 top researchers. Covering more than 600 academic disciplines, they are one of the largest and highest-cited publishers in the world. 

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We sat down with Nutritionist Deidre Bloomquist and discussed a recent scientific journal entry published in the August 2020 issue of Frontiers of Plant Science, U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health:

Bio

Deidre Bloomquist is a functional nutritionist based in Denver, Colorado. She owns and operates Always Growing Nutrition along with her team of practitioners who have helped hundreds of clients improve their health. She works with clients to improve digestive health and resolve hormonal dysfunction in addition to improving overall health status. She believes that we all deserve to understand how our body works to create sustainable nutrition that is personal to our individual needs.

What are your initial thoughts of this peer-reviewed journal entry in Frontiers of Plant Science?

Viral infections are part of nature, and in the same way, nature provides the cure to help us survive infection and maintain good health. The benefits of chlorophyll have been widely researched and it makes sense the chlorophyll gets to the root cause of poor immune health to support the body under COVID-19 conditions, especially in the spread of the virus throughout the body which is ultimately the danger in this virus. 

The journal notes chlorophyll’s anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, stating "for instance, sodium copper chlorophyllin is promoted for both its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties (Ulbricht et al., 2014; Solymosi and Mysliwa-Kurdziel, 2017).” What is your opinion and thoughts on chlorophyllin’s anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties? 

Chlorophyll is a well-known anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent and is frequently used for binding bacteria and viruses to prevent the spread of these pathogens. For instance, chlorophyll is used to treat cold sores to prevent the spread of the virus that causes these sores, as well as those such as shingles and herpes.

According to the journal, Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin "contains replacement ions of Cu2+ instead of Mg2+, which aids its water solubility and intestinal absorption (Ferruzzi and Blakeslee, 2007; Mishra et al., 2011; Ulbricht et al., 2014)." The researchers go into great detail on the medicinal uses of chlorophyll derivatives, such chlorophyllin. In your opinion, what are the benefits of chlorophyllin?

I most frequently use chlorophyll in my practice for detoxification. Chlorophyll serves as a natural binder for absorbing and carrying toxins out of the body. This is especially important for gut health and improving the intestinal permeability of the gut, which protects us from infection through our food. Anything that comes through the digestive tract is screened and removed from the body under health gut permeability conditions In a "leaky gut," where intestinal permeability exists, these toxins travel directly into the bloodstream. Chlorophyll also serves to increase the production of both red and white blood cells, for improved transport of essential nutrients such as oxygen, as well as the production of immune cells for a healthy adaptive immune system. 

The journal entry concludes that:

• "Here, we provide an insight into the properties of ZnPh that make this chlorophyll derivative a potential therapeutic agent for treating COVID-19.”  And that "there is a strong likelihood that this compound offers great potential to act as a carrier molecule for Zn2+ to trigger an anti-viral response that impairs SARS-CoV-2 replication. Hence, Zn2+ ionophores provide a novel therapeutic option that may be of benefit to the development of an effective treatment for the severe clinical manifestations of COVID-19.” 

A lot more research and studies need to be done, but based off of the journal entry what is your opinion and thoughts on chlorophyllin (and it's derivatives) as a “potential therapeutic agent for treating COVID-19" and other viruses? 

It's no surprise to me that nature provides us with the necessary tools to protect our immune systems to be prepared in the face of viruses and any other pathogens that we come into contact with in our daily lives. Chlorophyll has been shown to be beneficial in severe illness such as cancer due to its ability to lower inflammation levels, as well as increasing the production of interferons, collections of signaling proteins that are released in response to a virus or infection and whose purpose it to interfere with the goal of viral spreading in the body.

We are heading into the winter months, what are some other ways our readers can stay healthy this winter and protect themselves from other viruses?  

Focusing on a well-balanced diet full of whole, nutrient-dense foods is the number one way to improve immunity, especially during winter months when the immune system is most at risk for infection. Avoiding excess sugar and alcohol intake is also important for a healthy immune system. Moderate activity levels, getting sunshine and fresh air, as well as addressing any underlying health issues is key for ensuring proper immune function. Immune health being in poor condition, as well as many of the comorbidities associated with COVID-19 (obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, etc), are a result of the foundations of health being overlooked. The foundations of health include proper nutrition, hydration, healthy digestion, and essential fatty acid intake. When these are imbalanced, we begin to see a decline in immune health that makes the body more susceptible to infections and their resulting consequences. 

Any other recommendations on how our readers can strengthen their immune system? 

Focus on digestion and promoting healthy stomach acid levels by taking a digestive enzyme or stomach acid support supplement. We are not what we eat, but what we actually break down, digest, and absorb. Stomach acid is one of our first lines of defense against many infections.

Vitamin D has been shown countless times to lessen the symptoms of COVID-19 and is crucial for immune health. Much of the population is vitamin D deficient, and this becomes especially true in the winter months when many of us stay indoors during the colder weather. Vitamin D is typically produced as a result of sun exposure on the skin, which is why we tend to have more illnesses prevalent in the winter months.

Liposomal Vitamin C is an immune support that is most bioavailable for absorption, and much more effective than drinking orange juice filled with sugar.

Zinc is an anti-inflammatory agent that supports both stomach acid levels as well as immune cells to fight infection and regulate the immune system to optimal levels regardless of current infection.

Where can our readers find you? (Instagram, Facebook, Website, etc). 

www.always-growing.com

www.facebook.com/alwaysgrowingnutrition

www.instagram.com/alwaysgrowing_nutrition