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Chlorella, nature's healing miracle for us all

24/11/2017

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Image courtesy of https://naturalorganicshop.co.uk

I have often wondered about why we are here? And by here, I mean why humans have been given Earth as their place in this vast universe to live, breathe, survive and thrive! There is much debate about this and has been going on since the beginning of time. I’m certain we will find the answers one day, until then it’s everyone's theories and opinions that will continue to make headlines. Why do I bring this up? Well what I do believe is that humans were not put on Earth by accident. If you look at what is available on this planet, the resources, earth, fire, air, water, plants, sea life, etc, it is no surprise this planet was made for us.

Whilst researching into ancient civilisations, how they survived and thrived, there is one food that has been there since literally the beginning of time! Yes, i’m referring to Chlorella. Chlorella is a natural plant including more than 20 species, and each species is different in its production method. Well-known common species of Chlorella include C. vulgaris, C. ellipsoidea, C. saccharophila, C. pyrenoidosa, and C. regularis. These species are used for food [1].

Chlorella has existed since the birth of the Earth and has been reproducing itself for three billion years. However, since the plant is as tiny as 3 to 8 μm in size, it was not until the microscope was invented after the 19th century that Chlorella was first discovered. It was discovered by the Dutch microbiologist, Dr. Beijerinck, in 1890, and named Chlorella. During World War I, Chlorella was cultivated in large amounts in Germany to use as a protein source. In the 1920s, Japan succeeded in cultivating a pure culture of Chlorella, and after World War II, the United States, Germany, and Japan conducted cooperative studies. The medicinal effects of Chlorella were already confirmed after World War II, and the presence of a growth promoting factor that accelerates animal growth through the ingestion of Chlorella was revealed. NASA studied Chlorella as space food because it supplies nutrients even in small amounts [1].

So what makes Chlorella so good for us humans? This superfood is rich with phytonutrients, including amino acids, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, magnesium and the B-complex vitamins. Studies have shown that Chlorella benefits the entire body by supporting healthy hormonal function, promoting cardiovascular health, helping to negate the effects of chemotherapy and radiation, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and aiding in the detoxification of our bodies [2].

Chlorella’s rich green colour comes from a high concentration of chlorophyll. We are all told to eat more leafy green vegetables for good health, but sometimes it can be difficult to get the 5-7 servings of vegetables a day recommended by nutritionists and doctors of functional medicine. While juicing is another option, it’s simply too time-consuming for most people. And frankly, most green leafy vegetables pale in comparison to the health benefits that Chlorella can provide.

By consuming organic, low-temperature-extracted chlorella supplements, you can receive all of the chlorella benefits in a simple powder or tablet form [2].

As you’re about to see, Chlorella is one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods in the world.
A 1-ounce (3 tbsp) serving of Chlorella contains:

  • Protein—16g
  • Vitamin A—287% RDA
  • Vitamin B2—71% RDA
  • Vitamin B3—33% RDA
  • Iron—202% RDA
  • Magnesium—22% RDA
  • Zinc—133% RDA

In addition, Chlorella contains a good amount of vitamin B1, vitamin B6 and phosphorus.
When you look at its nutrient density score, it’s easy to see why chlorella is ranked one of the top 10 health foods in the world. In fact, it is way more nutrient dense per gram than other greens, including kale, spinach and broccoli [2]!

Now that we know the main nutrient profile of Chlorella, let us see what it is beneficial for in detail:

  • Detoxification: Chlorella is a source of Chlorophyll, Protein, Iron, Magnesium, and amino acids, but it is primarily known as a detoxifying supplement. Its tiny size and unique properties make it able to bind to heavy metals and unwanted chemicals in the body. It is often used by those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation to help reduce the body’s chemical load, and it is said to support the body’s liver and detoxification pathways without stripping beneficial minerals from the body. The most studied use for Chlorella in detoxification is in taking small amounts over time to help avoid heavy metal buildup in the body. This study showed that it may have a protective effect for mice exposed to lead and other heavy metals [3,4].
  • Weight loss: Chlorella benefits you by helping to regulate hormones, helping with metabolism, improving circulation, and promoting higher levels of energy. It also helps to reduce weight and body fat, and removes stored toxins. As our bodies lose weight, toxins are released, and can be reabsorbed. It is important to flush these toxins out of our system as quickly as possible. Chlorella’s ability to surround the toxins and heavy metals resident in our bodies helps facilitate elimination and prevent reabsorption [2].
  • Look younger: The reason chlorella is so effective at giving you younger looking skin is because it naturally increases levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and glutathione in your body which eliminates free-radicals and protects your cells. By just taking 1 teaspoon or a couple capsules daily of a Chlorella supplement, you can see results in as little as 2 weeks [2].
  • Fights cancer: First, when taken preemptively, it strengthens the immune system, so our bodies respond properly. Second, because it removes heavy metals and toxins from our body, we are less likely to get environmentally based cancers. Third, studies have shown that individuals once diagnosed with cancer, chlorella enhances the action of T cells helping to fight new abnormal cells. And, as mentioned above, if cancer is diagnosed, and chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used, chlorella can help to fight the side effects and be used in addition to natural cancer treatments [2].
  • Rich in antioxidants: Chlorella contains several antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, lutein, and beta-carotene. Antioxidants keep you healthy and help to prevent disease. A small study showed Chlorella improved skin health and decreased fatigue in breast cancer patients [5]. Chlorella has also been shown to have antioxidant properties that can help reduce the growth of cancer cells in rats. It may also help kill cancer cells that already exist. More research is needed to determine the extent of Chlorella’s anti-cancer properties [6].
  • Manage blood sugar and cholesterol: Chlorella has been shown to have a positive effect on blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This may make chlorella especially beneficial for people who have diabetes or are obese. A 2013 study researched the effects of chlorella extract on obese mice and rats on a high-fat diet. Chlorella consumption was found to prevent the growth of fat cells and improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Blood fat levels were also reduced [5,7].
  • Better looking skin: Chlorella possesses certain extracts that improve the production of the skin’s collagen. This is the protein primarily responsible for the skin’s elasticity. Several clinical tests show that just a 1-percent concentration of chlorella increases the skin’s firmness and tone after just 48 hours of use [10].

So what makes Chlorella so so good? Chlorella is labeled as a superfood, because it can provide essential nutrients that you may not get from your diet alone, these include [5]:

  • amino acids
  • protein
  • chlorophyll
  • vitamins
  • minerals
  • beta-carotene
  • dietary fiber
  • antioxidants
  • bioactive substances
  • enzymes
  • fiber
  • lipids
  • carbohydrates

That is a very impressive and i’d wager you would struggle to find many foods that have that many nutrients in it! It’s no surprise that it has been used for many civilizations since the beginning of time.

Taking Chlorella is simple. It comes in powder form and in small tablets. When buying tablets, ensure they are not freeze dried. Ensure the Chlorella is ‘spray dried’. Spray drying cracks the cell wall allowing access to the nutrients. Without this process most the the nutrients would be inaccessible to us. Freeze drying destroys the beneficial enzymes.

Regarding dosing of Chlorella, 3 grams per day is a good maintenance dosage of Chlorella for a person to take. With this amount, you will not notice significant changes, however, your body will get many of the nutrients it must have to function properly such amino acids (protein), vital minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and enzymes [8].

However, a person taking 5-7 grams per day is quite common and at this level you will notice significant changes in digestion, energy and overall health. One teaspoon of powder is equal to 5,000 mg. If you are taking tablets or capsules you would have to divide the mg of that pill into 5,000 mg to find out your dose. For example if you had 500 mg tablets you would divide 5,000 by 500 and determine you would need ten tablets for 5,000 mg of chlorella [8].

Chlorella can be taken at any time of the day. It can be taken all at once but preferably it should be taken in small doses throughout the day. Morning is also a good time to take chlorella, but never just before or after drinking coffee or soft drinks since caffeine is extremely detrimental to the digestive process. Chlorella causes the bacteria in our stomachs, the Lactobacilli, to multiply at 4 times the rate of normal. This is why it is best to take with meals as chlorella helps provide very good digestion and more importantly, better assimilation of nutrients [8].

Chlorella provides a wide array of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, as well as being the highest-known source of chlorophyll. While these are all beneficial, the greatest value of chlorella lies in a fascinating ingredient called Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF). CGF is a nucleotide-peptide complex derived from a hot water extract of chlorella. It is made mostly of nucleic acid derivatives. Researchers have discovered that CGF is produced during the intense photosynthesis that enables chlorella to grow so fast. Each cell multiplies into four new cells about every 20 hours, and CGF promotes this rapid rate of reproduction. Experiments with microorganisms, animals and children have shown that CGF promotes faster than normal growth without adverse side effects, and in adults, it appears to enhance RNA/DNA functions responsible for production of proteins, enzymes and energy at the cellular level, stimulating tissue repair and protecting cells against some toxic substances [9].

Because of the fiber content in Chlorella's cell wall and other nutritional factors, when some people begin to take chlorella for the first time they may go through cleansing reactions, sometimes referred to as a "healing crisis". This cleansing reaction comes in the form of intestinal activity such as gas, cramping, constipation or diarrhea. This same type of cleansing reaction frequently occurs when people switch from a low-fiber, "junk-food" diet to a high fiber, natural food diet. For this reason, some individuals may wish to start out with less than the suggested amount and gradually increase up to the recommended dose in 1-2 weeks. Very sensitive individuals may want to start with as little as 1/16 of a teaspoon per day (300 mg).
If you have not been eating many fresh raw vegetables in your diet, it is probably a good idea to start out with one 1/16 of a teaspoon with each meal and increase by 1/16 of a teaspoon every 2-3 days [8].

As long as you are not showing an allergic reaction (such as hives) or throwing up, you can safely continue the chlorella. In a couple of weeks to months, the reaction should decrease. And as it decreases, you can increase the dose [8].

My personal experience of taking Chlorella is the following:

  • Started taking Chlorella during the summer of 2014 after learning about its benefits during a superfoods and detoxification lecture whilst studying for my Nutrition Therapy Diploma.
  • Starting dose for me was 15 tablets 30 minutes before each meal (so 45 tablets daily).
  • Had major detoxification side effects! These included flu like symptoms, stomach cramps, bloating, headaches and constipation.
  • After consulting a qualified Nutritionist, was found that my initial dose was too low for me. Chlorella was releasing the toxins out of my cell walls, but there was not enough Chlorella in my system to soak up these toxins. Due to this toxins were freely swimming around my body causing the unwanted symptoms :(
  • Dose was increased to 30 tablets 3 times daily. Within 1-2 days the side effects decreased significantly and a few days later I started feeling well again.
  • 7 days later mood improved, more energy, clearer skin, better sleep and increased craving for more water intake.
  • Did this protocol for 9 months!
  • Since then i’ve been taking Chlorella twice daily with a dose of 25 tablets 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner.
  • One thing to note: Chlorella makes your stools turn green, that’s a good thing! It means that the Chlorella in your gut is binding to toxins and you are safely excreting these out as nature intended. So if you take Chlorella and see green stools, don’t freak out, this is normal and proves it is working!

I hope this has been an informative blog on the benefits of Chlorella. As with most superfoods and supplements, please take advice from a Nutritionist or Functional Medicine Doctor on what the correct dose for you should be and if you should take the supplement in question to begin with. A number of things such as lifestyle, diet, water intake, medical conditions and current medication intake play a role in safe supplementation and the length of supplementation.

If you feel you could benefit from taking Chlorella or require general guidance on nutritional support and how to live a balanced lifestyle please contact me at habs@urbanplatehealth.com or visit my website by going to www.urbanplatehealth.com

References

  1. Species of Chlorella - http://www.yaeyamachlorella.com/En/home/chlorella/basics/basics2.htm
  2. 7 Proven Chlorella Benefits - https://draxe.com/7-proven-chlorella-benefits-side-effects/
  3. Chlorella Benefits & Uses (and When It Can Be Dangerous) - https://wellnessmama.com/2719/chlorella-uses-benefits/
  4. Protective effects of Chlorella vulgaris in lead-exposed mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12781705
  5. 10 Reasons to Add Chlorella to Your Diet - https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/chlorella#overview1
  6. Chlorella vulgaris triggers apoptosis in hepatocarcinogenesis-induced rats - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2613958/
  7. Beneficial effects of Chlorella on glucose and lipid metabolism in obese rodents on a high-fat diet - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24331771
  8. How Much Chlorella Should You Take Per Day For Mercury Detoxification? - http://www.healingdaily.com/oral-chelation/chlorella-dosage.htm
  9. Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) - http://www.naturalways.com/chlorella-growth-factor.htm​
  10. Top Chlorella Benefits for Hair and Skin - https://behealthy.today/chlorella-benefits-hair-skin/


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