Simply Chlorella
Chlorella’s fantastic nutritional profile means it’s classed as a superfood. Over half its weight is made up of protein, and not only that – it’s a complate protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids necessary for life. But what is Chlorella, and why should we be using it?
Chlorella is a single-celled green algae that thrives in freshwater lakes. It converts sunlight into energy through a process of photosynthesis, and contains the super-healthy green pigment chlorophyll as a result. It also contains some very potent antioxidant compounds, and it’s a great source of iron, and a very decent source of Vitamin C and a range of B-vitamins. There’s also a good amount of calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc and potassium.
Taste-wise, Chlorella has been likened to Kale and Spinach, and many people take it in capsule form although it’s also popular whizzed up in smoothies. But what are the health benefits of Chlorella? Let’s take a look….
A paper published in 2014 found that Chlorella can lessen the effect of the harmful heavy metals cadmium and lead in the liver, kidneys and brain. It’s also been shown to facilitate the accelerated elimination of mercury from body tissue. Research published in 2007 showed that taking Chlorella supplements decreases the body’s level of dioxins, environmental toxins which can disrupt our hormones, damage our immune system and cause cancer. Additionally, a Korean study from 2015 showed that Chlorella detoxified carcinogenic compounds found in Western diets.
Korean scientists published a research paper in 2010 showing that treatment with Chlorella when malnutrition had degraded the immune system significantly increased the production of interleukins, small proteins which play a massive part in regulating our immune response by fighting infection, inflammation and trauma. Chlorella supplementation has also been shown to significantly increase the body’s production of Immunoglobulin A, an antibody which is crucial in the fight against sickness and infection.
An amazing effect on energy levels
The iron content of Chlorella makes it excellent for increasing energy levels and boosting athletic performance. Because iron carries oxygen to the muscles and brain, it’s very important to maintain a good level of it for when we undertake physical activity. Iron isn’t made in the body, so it has to be absorbed in our diet, making Chlorella an excellent choice for anyone trying to improve their iron levels. As Chlorella also contains Vitamin C, which actually helps us absorb the iron, it’s a win-win situation!
As marine pollution increases, Chlorella is increasingly seen as a safer source of beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids when compared to those sourced from fish – plus, of course, it’s vegan! Omega-3 fatty acids make up over 3% of Chlorella by weight, and studies show that these contribute to a significant lowering in serum total cholesterol. A balanced fatty acid consumption also counteracts certain negative effects of Western diets, such as chronic inflammation and glucose intolerance.
Chlorella contains a good amount of arginine and carotenoids, both of which enhance the function of the circulatory system, making blood vessels more elastic by stimulating the metabolism of collagen and elasticin, which makes them more supple and reduces hardening. A medical study from 2008 found that Arginine lowers blood pressure by widening blood vessels, while a 2015 review of existing research concluded that carotenoids significantly improved blood pressure baseline levels and led to a reduction of inflammation.
A rare vegan source of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 helps us make red blood cells, and keeps the nervous system healthy and the body able to extract energy from food. Chlorella is an excellent source of this essential nutrient, and that’s unusual, as plant-based sources of B12 are very rare, and it’s most commonly found in animal products, which means vegetarians and especially vegans are prone to B12 deficiency. The authors of a 2015 report on Chlorella concluded that results suggested “the vitamin B12 in chlorella is bioavailable and such dietary supplementation is a natural way for vegetarians and vegans to get the vitamin B12 they need.”
Whether you’re after our premium Organic Chlorella Powder or the Organic Chlorella Tablets, come and have a look at our range here!