Chlorella Beijerinck, 1890
Chlorella Beijerinck, 1890
Family Name - Oocystaceae
Edible Parts - Chlorella, a microscopic two-billion-year-old plant, is nutrient dense, rich in purifying chloryphyll, and easily digestible The chlorella algae is approximately 58 to 60 percent protein with a complete amino acid profile. It is a rich source of chloryphyll, vitamin A and minerals. It is especially high in beta carotene, iron and zinc. Chlorella is also an excellent source of vitamin B12 for vegetarians. In addition, research has shown that the cell wall can bind heavy metals and other toxins and flush them out of the body during digestion. Significant research has been done on chlorella and CGF, or chlorella growth factor. CFG is a liquid extract from the nucleus of the algae cell, containing proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Many reports and clinical trials have shown that CGF and chlorella have antitumor activity against a variety of cancers and tumors, both in humans and animals.
Few products in recent years have gained as much attention as has this microscopic, unicellular relative of sea kelp. There have been numerous animal studies which have demonstrated the antitumor and antiviral activities of chlorella, as well as its interferon-inducing effects. The antitumor activity was observed specifically against breast cancer, leukemia, ascitic sarcoma and liver cancer.
There have been numerous research studies of chlorella – so many that it is no doubt the most researched alga in the world – by scientists at the Rockefeller Foundation, the Carnegie Institute, NASA, as well as in Japan, Germany, England, Russia, and Israel.
Someone who wants to detoxify his or her body and strengthen immunity would do well to take a chlorella supplement as part of a daily health regimen.
Nutrition - Chlorella is a tiny green micro-alga. It is about the size of a human red blood corpuscle. Of the 15 strains found by scientists, the most nutritionally valuable is Chlorella pyrenoidosa with the composition as shown the chart.
Therapeutic uses - Chlorella has been shown to have immune-enhancing effects, and to have antiviral activity against cytomegalovirus in mice and equine encephalitis virus in horses. Antihypertensive and antihyperlipedimic activities were observed with a protein fraction derived from chlorella. Chlorella has the highest chlorophyll content of any known plant – five to ten times as much as spirulina, wheatgrass or barleygrass. Chlorella’s cell wall has been shown to eliminate toxins, pesticides, and heavy metals from the body, as well as inducing interferon production which is important to the immune system. Another feature of chlorella is its abundance of beta-carotene, which is known to prevent cancer. The nucleus of chlorella contains the CGF. Scientific experiments have indicated that CGF has great rejuvenating effects and is extremely rich in the nucleic acids, RNA and DNA. In fact, laboratory mice which were fed chlorella have been shown to have life span increases of more than 30 percent. The researchers involved believe that it is the CGF that is responsible for the increase.
Medicinal Use - Superior type of whole food and protein source. Chlorella has been shown to enhance immune responses and liver functions, to increase resistance to colds and viruses, and to have anti-tumor effects. Chlorella has been used to reduce heavy metal toxicity in humans. Its high chlorophyll content makes it a powerful cleaner of the blood stream, bowels and and internal organs. Japanese studies have found that chlorella and CGF increase the growth rate, improve resistance and treatment of degenerative diseases, lower blood pressure and cholesterol and enhance immune function.
Pharmacology - Chlorophyll, protein, lipids, carbohydrates, fiber, nucleic acid, and minerals!
It also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, iodine, the highest percentage of chlorophyll in any known plant source and a growth factor that stimulates tissue repair. Chlorella is one of the greatest foods in nature and one of the simplest, most primitive cells, yet science may never be able to unravel all its mysteries. The wonderful thing about chlorella is its amazing inherent strength through a genetic structure that has remained unchanged for over two billion years. This genetic structure is responsible for its high nutritional value, ease of cultivation and astonishing rate of growth.
Contra-indications - Diarrhea, cramping, flatus, nausea, fatigue, green discoloration of feces, allergic reactions, photosensitivity, and infection. May interact with anticoagulants as chlorella contains significant amounts of vitamin K.
