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Supplement Review:
Chlorella |
WHAT IS CHLORELLA?
Similar in name to that energy-producing chemical found in plants, chlorophyll, Chlorella is actually a freshwater, single-celled algae whose ancestry dates back more than 2.5 billion years. In fact, this little “green giant” contains more chlorophyll than any other plant on Earth (28.9 grams per kilogram), and is jam-packed with a laundry list of powerful nutrients, including Vitamins C and E, lipoic acid (a potent antioxidants), pro-vitamin A (a proposed cancer therapeutic), thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), niacin, pantothenic acid (necessary for energy release and neurotransmitter production), vitamin B12, folic acid (essential for prenatal brain development), biotin, choline (critical for cellular membrane structure and function), inositol and Vitamin K (an anti-coagulant). Chlorella also contains the following minerals: phosphorus, calcium, zinc, iodine, magnesium, iron, and copper. And to top it all off, chlorella is mostly protein (about 60 percent), featuring all the essential amino acids a good body needs. For years it has been touted as a super-food in Japan and is regularly consumed by millions there, while Westerners are recently clueing into the many benefits that come from taking Chlorella.
THE BENEFITS OF CHLORELLA
In clinical trials chlorella has been shown to boost the immune system, increase energy levels and help the body’s detoxification process. Several researchers credit chlorophyll itself as well as Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) — comprised of amino acids, vitamins, proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids — as the main sources for chlorella’s beneficial effects. In the approximately 800 studies involving chlorella, many have showcased its effects on the immune system, highlighting CGF as a key player. Not only has CGF been implicated in cellular growth — encouraging protein, enzyme and energy production — it is also speculated that the polysaccharides in CGF may stimulate the production of interferon, thereby enabling the immune system to function at full capacity. In turn, “soldier cells” in the body (B-cells, T-cells and macrophages) are enhanced, and the susceptibility to bacterial and other types of infection is dramatically reduced. Chlorella has also been shown to improve digestion, via its high fiber content, and other studies have demonstrated chlorella’s abilities to combat allergic reactions, inhibit tumor growth and even reduce body weight in animals.
WHERE TO FIND CHLORELLA
At most health food stores, you can find chlorella in tablet, granule or liquid form. Also, you can try it absolutely free by calling Sun Chlorella at 1-800-403-4411 or visiting the Sun Chlorella Web site at www.sunchlorellausa.com. And don’t be intimidated by the Sun Chlorella guidelines recommending 10-30 tablets a day — Sun Chlorella is completely safe at the those dosages. Also, make sure to allow four to six weeks for maximum effectiveness.
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