Chlorella is a fresh water, single-celled algae that grows in fresh water. Chlorella emerged over 2 billion years ago, and was the first form of a plant with a well-defined nucleus. Because Chlorella is a microscopic organism, it was not discovered until the late 19th century, deriving its name from the Greek, “chloros” meaning green and “ella” meaning small. In fact that chlorella contains the highest amount of chlorophyll of any known plant. It is thought to boost the immune system and help fight infection. It has been shown to increase the good bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which helps to treat ulcers, colitis, diverticulosis and Crohn’s disease. It is also used to treat constipation, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Chlorella has been used to treat cancer and also help protect the body from the effects of cancer radiation treatment. The algae, which is a popular food supplement in Asia and has been used as energy-producing food for centuries, is often used to prevent or curb the spread of cancer, enhance immunity, promote a good balance of bacteria in the gut, and lower blood cholesterol. In Japan, it is traditionally used as a treatment for duodenal ulcers, gastritis, hypertension, diabetes, hypoglycemia, asthma, and constipation. More recently, it is has been touted as an effective therapy for elevated cholesterol levels, a prophylactic to ward of infections and, and adjunct treatment for cancer. Chlorella is now used as an adjunct supplement during radiation treatment for cancer. Its abundance of chlorophyll is known to protect the body against ultraviolet radiation. It is a nutrient-dense superfood that contains 60% protein, 18 amino acids (including all the essential amino acids), and various vitamins and minerals. One of its unique properties is a phytonutrient called CGF. Chlorella provides all of the dietary-essential amino acids in excellent ratios. It is also a reliable source of essential fatty acids that are required for many important biochemical functions, including hormone balance. Chlorella also contains high levels of chlorophyll, beta-carotene and RNA/DNA. More than 20 vitamins and minerals are found in chlorella, including iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, pro-vitamin A, vitamins C, B1, B2, B2, B5, B6, B12, E and K, biotin, inositol, folic acid, plus vitamins C, E and K. Although the algae grow naturally in fresh water, Chlorella destined for human consumption is generally cultivated outdoors in mineral-rich freshwater ponds under direct sunlight. The entire process from strain maintenance in the laboratory to harvesting of the final product is monitored by microbiologists to ensure optimal nutrient value and product purity. It is often combined with other natural green foods such as spirulina, wheat grass, barley greens, and sometimes seaweed. Chlorella has been the focus of many medical and scientific research projects. Based on very early research, it appears that chlorella may play a role in fibromyalgia, hypertension, or ulcerative colitis and has an effect...
Read MoreWhat is Chlorella?
Chlorella is a genus of single-cell green algae, belonging to the phylum Chlorophyta. It is spherical in shape, about 2 to 10 μm in diameter, and is without flagella. Chlorella contains the green photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll-a and -b in its chloroplast. Through photosynthesis, it multiplies rapidly, requiring only carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, and a small amount of minerals to reproduce.[1] The name Chlorella is taken from the Greek chloros, meaning green, and the Latin diminutive suffix ella, meaning small. It is an attractive potential food source because it is high in protein and other essential nutrients; when dried, it is about 45% protein, 20% fat, 20% carbohydrate, 5% fibre, and 10% minerals and vitamins. Mass-production methods are now being used to cultivate it in large artificial circular ponds. It is also abundant in calories, fat, and vitamins. (SOURCE: Wikipedia.org)...
Read MoreRadiation Protective Benefits of Spirulina and Chlorella
Discover the radiation protective benefits of Spirulina and Chlorella Protecting yourself in the event of a serious radiation event involves much more than simply loading up on potassium iodide and various other iodine supplements. While high levels of iodine do protect the thyroid and glandular systems from radiation poisoning, they do not necessarily protect the rest of your body from the devastating and deadly effects of nuclear radiation. However, two amazing superfoods — Spirulina and Chlorella — offer substantiated protection against harmful radiation. They also help to detoxify the body of harmful radiation after exposure, effectively protecting organs and other areas not protected by iodine. Spirulina, the incredible medical food used to treat child victims of Chernobyl The numerous curative and health-promoting properties of Spirulina are truly amazing. This blue-green algae superfood is rich in vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, and antioxidants, all of which make it highly beneficial as an anti-aging, anti-cancer, and super-detoxifying miracle food (http://www.naturalnews.com/spirulina.html). But little known is the incredible radioprotective power of Spirulina. Numerous studies have found that Spirulina protects the body against — and even heals it from — the damaging effects of harmful radiation. A 1989 study put forth by researchers from Zhongkai Agriculture and Technology College in China found in tests that Spirulina significantly reduces the gamma radiation-induced micronucleus frequencies in the bone marrow of affected mice. Bone marrow, of course, is responsible for producing new blood cells and maintaining the lymphatic system (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2505406). A 1993 report published by the Research Institute of Radiation Medicine in Belarus confirmed previous research conducted in 1990-91 which found that Spirulina effectively decreases the radioactive load received by the body when consuming radiation-contaminated food. After just 20 days, children fed five-gram doses of Spirulina every day experienced an average 50 percent reduction in urine radioactivity levels (http://www.iimsam.org/publications_and_reports.php). In a study released by Mechnikov Odessa State University in Ukraine in 2000, Spirulina proved effective at increasing phosphate, pyruvate, and antioxidant levels in rats with lesions caused by 5 gray units (Gy) of high-energy radiation. Full-body exposure to 5 Gy or more typically leads to death within 14 days, but Spirulina helped to prevent this (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10907410). A 2001 study conducted by researchers from the Medical and Pharmaceutical Academe of Yangzhou University in China found that Spirulina extracts effectively protect against both the damage caused by chemotherapy drugs and the damaging effects of gamma radiation exposure (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11749812). Those negatively affected by high levels of radiation after working on cleanup efforts following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster experienced improvements in the autoregulatory functionality of their bodily organs and other systems, as well as long-term remission from overall radiation damage, after being treated with a regimen that included Spirulina (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10921251). Spirulina works so well at mitigating the damage caused by radiation that it was actually awarded a Russian patent in 1995 for improving the immunity of children affected by radiation from the Chernobyl disaster. Many...
Read MoreCan Chlorella Improve Eyesight?
Among the many benefits of chlorella is the potential to improve eyesight. Macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss for Americans over the age of 55. Scientists now know that that age-related vision problems are often linked to nutritional deficiencies and not just because of the normal aging process. Harvard researchers have discovered that people that have the highest consumption levels of lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich* foods actually significantly lowered their risk of AMD by as much as 57%. This is significant as compared to those who consumed less of these types of foods. Chlorella is a significantly high quality source of lutein, zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene, beta carotene, xanthin , gamma-carotene, and even lycopene. In addition to these well known supporters of eye nutrition, chlorella helps rebuild cells and increases circulation which in turn helps to improve eyesight clarity and overall eye health. Many users of chlorella have reported a significant improvement in their vision as a result of regular doses of chlorella. Specifically, consumers have experienced relief from eye fatigue, eye mucus and blurred eyesight as well as overall vision improvement. A regular dose of organic chlorella tablets may help you to restore or improve your eyesight. Chlorella is best taken about half an hour before meals for optimum digestion, and benefits are most noticeable with a regiment of at least 3 to 5 grams of chlorella...
Read MoreDr Oz Promotes Benefits of Chlorella
In this video on the Dr Oz Show, Chlorella is presented as a method of possibly curing brain fog and fatigue by eliminating mercury. The three common ways that we are exposed to mercury poisoning is by the air we breathe, mercury in the seafood we eat, and silver dental fillings that are made primarily of mercury. There are approximately 1000mg of mercury in each dental filling. High levels of mercury in the body can cause various health effects including “brain fog” and fatigue. Chlorella can bind to mercury and help detoxify the body. It is suggested that a minimum of 200mg to 500mg of daily Chlorella is advised to help reduce the harmful effects of mercury....
Read MoreStudy of Radioprotective action of Chlorella
The evaluation of radioprotective action of a mutant (E-25) form of Chlorella vulgaris in mice was administered at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, in 1993. The testing studied the possible role of orally fed Chlorella vulgaris (E-25) in radiation-induced mice. “Different doses of E-25 were administered either chronically (once, twice or thrice a day for 28 days) or as single acute doses before/after irradiation. A significant radioprotective effect was observed in both acute and chronic pretreatments, but only at doses above 400 mg/kg body weight. J. RADIAT. RES., 34, 277-Z84 (1993) Evaluation of Radioprotective Action of a Mutant (E-25) Form of Chlorella vulgaris in Mice LAKSHMI SARMAl , ASHU B. TIKUl , P. C. KESAVAN1* AND M. OGAKIz••Scbool of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-ll0067, India 2Pasteur Institute of Kyoto, 103-5, Tanaka Monzen-Cho, Sakya-ku, Kyoto 606, Japan (Received, May 19, 1993) (Revision received, September14, 1993) (Accepted, September 14, 1993) lScbool of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-ll0067, India 2Pasteur Institute of Kyoto, 103-5, Tanaka Monzen-Cho, Sakya-ku, Kyoto 606, Japan (Received, May 19, 1993) (Revision received, September14, 1993) (Accepted, September 14, 1993) ChlorellD vulgaris E·2S’ Gamma-rays/Radioprotection IMicronuclei, ill vivo The possible role of orally fed ehlere//a vulgaris (E-2S) in modulating the gamma-ray induced chromosomal damage in whole-body irradiated mice was evaluated using a micronucleus test. Different doses of E-2S were administered either chronically (once. twice or thrice a day for 28 days) or as single acute doses before/after irradiation. A significant radioprotective effect was observed in both acute and chronic pretreatments, but only at doses above 400 mg/kg body weight. However, in mice that received E-25 (500 mg/kg) three times a day for 28 days, there was no protective effect, and a significant loss in their body weight was observed. Interestingly, E-2S afforded significant radioprotection even when it was administered within 0.4 hr after irradiation. INTRODUCTION There is growting awareness in the recent years that some of the commonly <:oDsumed food products and beverages contain potential modulators of the effects of environmental mutagenes and carcinogens1,2). Among the diets found to be “protective” in various mammalian systems are the green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and components of coffee and teaJ –S). More specificially, dietary vitamins, their precursors, trace minerals, chlorophylls, proteins and phenols of plant origin have been shown to reduce the incidence of radiation and chemical carcinogen-induced chromosome breakage in a number of test systems. In the present study, we have tested the radioprotective potential of Chlorella vulgaris E-2S, a freshwater green algae, traditionally used as a nutrition additive, especially as a source of vitamins, specific proteins and assimilated salts. E-25 strain is a mutant form of the heterotrophic type of Chlorella vulgarist isolated by means of • Author for correspondence . L. SARMA ET AL. single cell isolation technique, and cloned by Ogaki and his team in Japan since 1978. The cell-wall of this strain has a very low content of a-cellulose which inhibits its digestibility and absorption in the intestine. In Japan, this algae is produced on a mass-scale by tank cultivation and is available as dry granules under the commercial name “Momotaro E-25”. Experimental and clinical studies over the past two years have indicated that consumption...
Read More