The Amazing Health Benefits of Chlorella, the Superfood

Chlorella gets its name from two Greek words: chloros and ella, meaning "green" and "small" respectively. Chlorella is classified as a 'green algae' but is actually a tiny plant - microscopically small since it's single-celled - that is found growing in bodies of fresh water. Chlorella is also known as a "superfood" because scientists believe it contains every single nutrient necessary for the human body to function in a healthy state: amino acids (about ten of them), enzymes, minerals, caretenoids, beneficial fatty acids, phytochemicals, and chlorophyll - in fact, chlorella contains more chlorophyll than any other known plant on earth!

Drying out chlorella causes it to reach a state of approximately 45 percent protein, 20 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent fat, 10 percent vitamins and minerals, and 5 percent fiber, making it an ideal food source almost complete in itself. Due to its "superfood-like" qualities, at one time in the 1950s, chlorella was proposed as a possible remedy for the world hunger crisis then in effect (and thought to increase rapidly). Chlorella's highly efficient photosynthetic process causes it to produce more protein than any other known plant, and it can also multiply rapidly since it requires only water, sunlight, minerals, and carbon dioxide to reproduce. (Otto Warburg, a German biochemist, studied the photosynthetic effect of chlorella and won the Nobel Prize in Physiology for his efforts.) But reproducing the right conditions for maximum growth was actually harder than expected since chlorella has a sensitive dependence on light and also needs carbonated water for maximum growth and nutrient production; hence the overall cost was more prohibitive than initially thought. But despite being difficult and expensive to grow, presently more and more artificial ponds are being constructed to grow chlorella for large-scale food production.

Also researchers discovered that digestion and absorption of chlorella by the human digestive system is difficult (not all nutrients can be easily extracted); and thus to obtain proper absorption, the cell walls have to be altered. But when the cell walls of chlorella are broken down, it causes a large percentage of the nutritional value to be lost; thus, there was another serious problem encountered with chlorella solving the world hunger issue. Scientists also proposed the idea of adding powdered chlorella to common foods to increase their nutritional content, but when in dry form (and probably in wet form as well) chlorella has a considerably repulsive taste, which is why it's better taken in tablet form.

Nevertheless chlorella still has many health benefits. Studies with mice have shown it to have anti-tumor growth properties, and that it reduces hypertension. Lowering of cholesterol levels, increased healing of wounds, boosting immune system strength, providing protection from exposure to radiation, helping with AIDS and diabetes, fighting ulcers, balancing blood sugar, providing plenty of energy, cleaning out the body of harmful toxins, various life-extending properties, even helping to eliminate halitosis and body odor (which I really need!). If you supplement with chlorella it will be the same as getting all the nutritional value of fresh vegetables but without the high expense and preparation time. In Japan millions of people use chlorella every single day.

Researchers believe the large amount of chlorophyll contained in chlorella is the main ingredient that causes good health. Specifically, chlorophyl helps to detoxify the human body, cleansing the bowels making it good for gastrointestinal health, and also helps the liver to function properly.

To get ahold of chlorella for supplementation, because it's simply a green algae, can one simply go to the nearest pond and dig out some chlorella for consumption? Of course not. Many health food stores carry chlorella tablets, but be sure to look for the best deal since the cost of chlorella tablets can sometimes be excessive.

If you are looking to build lean muscle tissue, chlorella may help you with that as well. Evidence has shown that chlorella stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body, and also dilates arteries, the first of which helps muscles grow, while the latter improves recuperation time from intense workouts.

For weight loss, since chlorella contains large amounts of fiber it will help diminish food cravings and intestinal microflora will be encouraged to grow, which is beneficial for the human body since it eliminates food quicker.

There are very little known side effects with the use of chlorella, but an over-sensitivity to sunlight may be one problem you experience. Also, pregnant or nursing women should NEVER use chlorella for any reason!

Sources:

1. Chlorella, Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorella

2. Mercola, Chlorella, http://products.mercola.com/chlorella/

3. Healing Daily, Health Benefits of Chlorella, http://www.healingdaily.com/oral-chelation/health-benefits-of-chlorella.htm