Green Detox Q & A - What is Chlorella?

Q. Green Detox contains Chlorella. What is Chlorella?

A. Chlorella is a nutrient–dense, single–celled green algae which gets its name from its notably high chlorophyll content. In addition to being nature's richest source of chlorophyll, chlorella also contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, nucleic acids, enzymes, chlorella growth factor (CGF), and unique types of dietary fiber.

Microalgae such as chlorella are among the most primitive species on our planet, and Chlorella represents the first "plant" with a distinct cell nucleus. Chlorella is known to reproduce with particular rapidity and efficiency – a single chlorella cell can divide into four cells every 16 to 20 hours, and it was once predicted that chlorella could yield more protein per unit area than any other plant on earth.

In the 1940s, numerous scientists warned that rapid worldwide population growth would soon place a serious strain on the world's food supply. Its rapid growth rate and unparalleled nutrient density made chlorella a promising candidate in the fight against world hunger. By the 1950s and 60s, Chlorella was also being investigated as a both a nutrient and oxygen source to be used in space travel.

Ultimately, however, improvements in land–based agricultural practices made chlorella relatively unsuited for production on the scale needed to feed the world. But, though Chlorella may not be an economically–viable means to end world hunger, it still offers the health–conscious consumer an incredibly concentrated source of complete nutrition – with unique benefits for the immune and detoxicative systems.*

In vitro, animal, and human studies have shown that Chlorella may be able to enhance immune function*:

Study Link – Immunostimulatory Bioactivity of Algal Polysaccharides from Chlorella pyrenoidosa Activates Macrophages via Toll–Like Receptor 4.

Study Link – Immunomodulation by a unicellular green algae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) in tumor–bearing mice.

Quote from the above study:

Since Chlorella cells and derivatives showed no indication of direct in vitro cytotoxicity to either tumor or mouse spleen cells, the antitumor effects documented may be mediated by host immune response.

Study Link – Dietary Chlorella pyrenoidosa for patients with malignant glioma: Effects on immunocompetence, quality of life, and survival.

Studies have also shown evidence that Chlorella may support healthy blood flow, blood lipids, and gastrointestinal function*:

Study Link – Nutritional supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for mild to moderate hypertension.

Study Link – Preventing dyslipidemia by Chlorella pyrenoidosa in rats and hamsters after chronic high fat diet treatment.

Study Link – Effect of chlorella and its fractions on blood pressure, cerebral stroke lesions, and life–span in stroke–prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Study Link – A review of recent clinical trials of the nutritional supplement Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the treatment of fibromyalgia, hypertension, and ulcerative colitis.

But, perhaps more than any other food, chlorella has repeatedly been studied for its powerful ability to help aid the body in the detoxification and elimination of numerous harmful chemicals, including dioxins, pesticides, and heavy metals:

Study Link – Effect of Chlorella pyrenoidosa on fecal excretion and liver accumulation of polychlorinated dibenzo–p–dioxin in mice.

Study Link – Detoxification of chlordecone poisoned rats with chlorella and chlorella derived sporopollenin.

Study Link – Chlorophyll derived from Chlorella inhibits dioxin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and accelerates dioxin excretion in rats.

Study Link – Effect of Chlorella intake on Cadmium metabolism in rats.

Study Link – Protective effects of Chlorella vulgaris in lead–exposed mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes.

Chlorella has even been shown to reduce the transfer of dioxins from the mother to the infant, both via placental transfer, and via breast milk after birth:

Study Link – Maternal–fetal distribution and transfer of dioxins in pregnant women in Japan, and attempts to reduce maternal transfer with Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) supplements.

Quote from the above study:

Total TEQ [toxic equivalents] in cord blood were approximately 26% lower than in maternal blood (P<0.0001). The results of this study suggest that transplacental transfer differs depending on the dioxin congener. Total TEQ in breast milk were approximately 30% lower in the Chlorella group than in controls (P=0.0113). This finding suggests that maternal transfer of dioxins can be reduced using dietary measures such as Chlorella supplements.

These unique detoxifying effects are likely unsurpassed by any land–based vegetable. As such, even those of us who eat plenty of "greens" can still benefit from the unique benefits of chlorella.

Find a retailer for Green Detox and other Integrated Supplements Products

Related Posts:

What is Green Detox?

What is Fucoidan?