Detox Benefits Of Chlorella

Chlorella is a subfamily of single-celled green algae that resides only in slow moving basins of fresh water such as ponds and lakes. These single celled green algae have been in existence for over two billion years and are believed to be the first plant structure with a well defined nucleus.

Chlorella is a microscopic organism that is spherical in shape and was only discovered in the late 19th century, deriving its name from the Greek, ‘chloros’ denoting the colour green and ‘ella’ denoting its tiny size. Studies have since proven that chlorella contains the highest quantity of chlorophyll than any other studied plant species.

This amazing species of algae is believed to provide a substantial boost to the immune system thereby strongly supporting the ability to fight infection. Regular consumption of chlorella has proven to encourage the colonies of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract thereby assisting in the treatment of ulcers, colitis, fibromyalgia, and Crohn's disease. Traditional medicines of Japan utilised chlorella as a treatment for asthma, hypoglycaemia, diabetes, gastritis, ulcers of the intestine, constipation, and high blood pressure. These fresh water algae have also proven beneficial for the lowering of high blood cholesterol levels.

For many years this popular dietary supplement has been used as an energy producing food source in Asia where it was relished for its ability to stimulate digestion and enhance immunity. Chlorella was also believed to be very effective in curbing the spread of certain cancers and assist in protecting the body from the residual affects of cancer radiation treatment. Recent studies have found chlorella to be a perfect companion supplement during radiation treatment for cancer. The abundance of chlorophyll content within these algae has proven effective in protecting the body against ultraviolet radiation.

Chlorella is a nutrient dense food source that contains sixty percent protein, eighteen amino acids including all of the essential amino acids, and numerous other vitamins and minerals. In fact chlorella actually provides all of the dietary essential amino acids in exceptional ratios which are rare to find in a single food source. There are numerous species of chlorella, but the particular genus called Chlorella Pyrenoidosa has been found to contain an extremely high volume of beneficial nutrients. The Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) is a specific phytonutrient that is claimed to be the most valuable component in chlorella. Recent studies have noted the astonishing capacity for detoxifying the body as chlorella has demonstrated the ability of removing heavy metals and toxins from the body.

This fantastically health benefiting algae is also a dependable source of essential fatty acids that are required by the body for various essential biochemical functions. Chlorella also encompasses high levels of beta-carotene, chlorophyll, and nucleic acids. Nucleic acids control cellular functions within the body, the two types of nucleic acid are Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) - It is abundance of nucleic acids in chlorella that provide the well acclaimed anti-aging and rejuvenating qualities. As if all these amazing properties weren’t enough, chlorella also encompasses no less than twenty vitamins and minerals, including pro-vitamin A, vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, E, K, folic acid, biotin, inositol, plus the minerals iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous.

Chlorella has been the focus of numerous medical and scientific research projects. Early research suggests that the chlorella algae may assist in the treatment of hypertension, fibromyalgia, and digestive ulcers but more in-depth studies are required to confirm these findings. Research performed in Japan suggests that chlorella may have anti-tumour activity in regards to breast cancer, although its main use in cancer treatment is to assist in removing radioactive particles from the body after radiation therapy. Regardless of these studies and findings, there is absolutely no doubt as to the health benefiting properties of chlorella when included to a healthy balanced diet.

Even though the chlorella algae flourishes naturally in fresh bodies of water, the chlorella that is destined for human consumption is specifically cultivated in mineral rich fresh water ponds that are directly exposed to sunlight. The complete process from harvest to laboratory is closely monitored by microbiologists to ensure most advantageous nutrient value and product wholesomeness. Chlorella is also quite often combined with other natural green food sources such as barley greens, wheat grass, spirulina, and seaweed.