Worried About Nuclear Radiation? Try Algae

Chlorella and spirulina are sea and fresh water algae packed with vitamins, minerals, and proteins that protect your health and deliver a wealth of disease-fighting benefits. Chlorella contains the highest amount of chlorophyll green photosynthetic pigments - more than any other plant. Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae containing concentrated amounts of beta carotene, chlorophyll, vitamin B12 and blue pigment phycocyanin.

Research from Japan following the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings in 1945 reported that chlorella increased the elimination and detoxification of cadmium, uranium and lead. Furthermore, spirulina was used to treat the children of Chernobyl suffering from the effects of radiation sickness.

Spirulina Study

A study published in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, investigated the effect of spirulina on mice and dogs exposed to radiation. Researchers from Yangzhou University, China administered different doses of spirulina to mice and dogs irradiated with cyclophosphamide and 60Co-gamma rays. They found that 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg spirulina increased white blood cell levels and DNA in mice bone marrow. Furthermore, 12 mg/kg spirulina increased red and white blood cells, blood hemoglobins and bone marrow nucleated cells in dogs.

"Spirulina has chemo-protective and radio-protective capability, and may be a potential adjunct to cancer therapy," the study authors conclude.

Chlorella Study

A study published in Radioisotopes, investigated the effect of uranium on chlorella cell components. Japanese researchers administered uranium to dry chlorella cells and chlorella cells extracted with hot water, dilute alkali and chloroform-methanol. They found that chlorella cell components bind uranium. Chlorella cells extracted with dilute alkali had the most significant uranium binding.

"In the dry cells, 34% of uranium taken up existed in the cell walls", the study authors write. "However, in the living cells, 85% existed in the cell walls. The above results showed that the dry or the hot water-treated cells are the most convenient for uranium recovery from the aqueous systems."

Your Thoughts

I intend to add toxin-free spirulina and/or chlorella to my diet for protection from radiation damage. How about you?

Sources
Zhang HQ et al. Chemo- and radio-protective effects of polysaccharide of Spirulina platensis on hemopoietic system of mice and dogs. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2001 Dec;22(12):1121-4.

Horikoshi T et al. Uptake of uranium by various cell fractions of Chlorella regularis. Radioisotopes. 1979 Aug;28(8):485-8..

Gavalas, Elaine. Yogi in the Kitchen, Super Sea Vegetables: 34-35, 129. Penguin Putnam Avery. elainegavalas.com