John Myers
What exactly is chlorella and what makes the microalgae so special? We want to give you the answer to these questions with this article. So much in advance: The microalgae chlorella is an interesting food in many respects, which can be used in the form of a dietary supplement in many situations, e.g. B. for accompanying detoxification, to optimize the nutrient supply, but also for some very specific diseases.
Chlorella – The microalgae
The name Chlorella comes from Latin and means something like “small, young green”. The best-known representative of the freshwater alga Chlorella is Chlorella Vulgaris.
In the past, this was distinguished from Chlorella pyrenoidosa. In 1992, however, it was already shown that Chlorella pyrenoidosa does not exist as a species. At the time, the term, which has since become obsolete, was only used to summarize species and strains of very different groups of algae, which, on closer inspection, did not even all belong to the chlorella family.
Unlike spirulina and AFA algae, chlorella algae have a cell nucleus that distinguishes them as microalgae, while the other two belong to the cyanobacteria (although they are also often referred to as microalgae).
Chlorella – enormously adaptable and well researched
The chlorella algae are microscopically tiny and very complex single-celled organisms that are highly developed creatures. Although invisible to the naked eye, they have unimaginable powers that have enabled them to survive for more than two million years, despite changes in their living conditions and other odds.
This is probably a major reason why chlorella is so interesting to science that it is one of the best-studied organisms today. It is therefore not surprising that a large number of scientific studies are available that prove the countless health effects of chlorella algae.
Broken cell walls offer no appreciable benefits
The cell wall of the chlorella algae consists of three layers and it was once believed that these could not be digested by the human organism. Consequently, the purchase of chlorella with broken cell walls was recommended because this improves the bioavailability of the substances contained.
In the meantime, however, we know that the bioavailability of chlorella without broken cell walls is only slightly poorer so you can save yourself the effort of breaking it up or, as a consumer, can fall back on the cheaper products without broken cell walls.
No plant contains more chlorophyll
Chlorella owes its deep green color to its extraordinarily high chlorophyll content, which has not yet been measured in any other plant in this concentration. Chlorophyll is also referred to as the “green blood” of plants because its chemical structure is almost identical to the human blood pigment hemoglobin. Therefore, there is no better nutrient for our blood than chlorophyll.
In combination with organic minerals, chlorophyll ensures that our blood is clean, rich in minerals, and vital. Only in this ideal state can the blood optimally nourish all body tissues and keep them healthy. This fact already gives an idea of the importance of chlorophyll for our physical and mental health. In general, the higher the chlorophyll content of food, the greater its health benefits.
Chlorophyll protects the liver
The unsurpassed amounts of chlorophyll in chlorella are of immense importance, especially for the liver, because they protect the liver cells from the countless toxins that enter the body every day. Regardless of whether it is food contaminated with pesticides, tooth poison, mold, environmental toxins, or other chemically toxic compounds – chlorophyll detoxifies them all and ensures that they are excreted through the intestines as quickly as possible.
This is how the chlorophyll of the chlorella algae works
Chlorophyll increases the protection and the ability to regenerate every single cell in the body. In this way, their lifespan is extended so that the aging process is noticeably slowed down.
Chlorophyll also strengthens the circulatory system as well as the digestive system. Due to its strong alkaline effect, chlorophyll also helps to restore a balanced acid-base balance. Furthermore, the antioxidant powers of chlorophyll protect the body from the effects of free radicals, so that inflammatory processes can be suppressed and the degeneration of cells (cancer) can be counteracted. Chlorophyll also acts in the gut, where it protects against cancer by combining with carcinogenic toxins to form an insoluble conglomerate that can eventually be excreted in the stool.
Chlorophyll has many other health-promoting effects on our organisms:
- It stimulates the formation of red blood cells and contributes to blood purification.
- It increases the oxygen content in the blood and improves cellular respiration.
- It activates the metabolism.
- It protects the cell walls from the enzymatic destruction of invading bacteria.
- It normalizes the secretion of digestive juices.
- It supports all healing processes.
- It has a harmonizing effect and promotes inner serenity.
The Chlorella extracts CGF and CVE
The essence of the chlorella algae is available in two extracts: CGF (Controlled Growth Factor) and CVE (Chlorella Vulgaris Extract).
These unique nutrient concentrates contain many valuable phytochemicals in a highly concentrated form as well as glycoproteins – a complex combination of certain carbohydrates with special amino acids – which, thanks to their strong detoxifying effect, can provide excellent support for restoring health. Chlorella owes its unmistakable high nutritional value not least to these concentrated essences.
All of our body cells are active around the clock and it is not uncommon for them to work to the point of total exhaustion. The more stressed they are, the more adequate support they need in generating energy, building new body cells, and all the repair work that needs to be done. CGF and CVE provide exactly this support – in the form of an extremely practical modular principle. The building blocks that are missing due to overuse (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) can be individually produced and used in a targeted manner using the extracts. Wherever there is a lack of support – CGF and CVE solve the problem. As with a (general) lock and key principle, these extract blocks fit just about anywhere. For this reason, they are of inestimable value as immediate aid for keeping the body healthy.
This is how CGF and CVE work
The highly concentrated and extremely bioavailable extracts support the body and the brain in a variety of ways due to their individual application possibilities. They hardly differ from each other in their effect. Nevertheless, both extracts have their main focus of action. In the case of CGF, they tend to lie in supporting the child’s development (physical and psychological) and in rehabilitation after accidents or operations. The CVE has been particularly useful in cases of excessive stress, for detoxification purposes, and in the case of cancer.
They activate the stimulation of the macrophages (scavenger cells) and activate the T-lymphocytes (destroy infected and degenerated cells) to strengthen the immune system.
- They can effectively support the organism in the fight against tumor diseases.
- They contribute to healthy cell growth.
- They accelerate cell repair, which counteracts the aging process.
- They optimize liver cell function.
- They protect the liver from toxic stress.
- They stabilize the natural balance of the intestinal flora.
- They improve memory in dementia.
A notice
CGF and CVE are also available separately as essences. However, it should be noted here that by far the greatest effect of the extracts is achieved in combination with the complex variety of nutrients and vital substances of the chlorella algae. Therefore, it should generally be taken as a basic food supplement.
Chlorella and her detox collective
Chlorella is characterized by a wealth of detoxifying ingredients. In addition to chlorophyll, which has already been described in detail, the alga contains a unique mix of cell-protecting and detoxifying carotenoids (e.g. lycopene), glycoproteins (see CGF and CVE), glutathione – a sulfur-containing protein – and sporopollenin – a strong detoxifying component of the robust chlorella cell wall. In contrast to those mentioned above, two other important components are still relatively unknown. Or have you ever heard of Protection and De-Noxilipidnin?
Protection and De-Noxilipidnin – two potent detoxifiers
As storage proteins, protectonia are among the phyto-chelatines that are formed by the chlorella itself. On the one hand, they show a strong antioxidant effect, which contributes to the protection of the body cells and the relief of the immune system. On the other hand, they form an inseparable connection with heavy metals, which are then easily excreted as a complex through the intestines. In this way, they make a significant contribution to keeping the body healthy.
The substance De-Noxilipidnin has a similar detoxifying effect. In addition to heavy metals, it also binds organic toxins and neutralizes them both so that they become harmless to the organism.
Chlorella is a wholesome food
By now you have learned so much about the effects of chlorella algae that it is now time to share the nutritional benefits of this algae with you. Here, too, it becomes clear that every person can only benefit health-wise from taking chlorella algae as a dietary supplement.
Chlorella as a protein source
At around 60 percent, the dried microalgae provide the body with an exceptionally large amount of high-quality, easily digestible protein with a biological value between 75 and 88. This value describes how much of the absorbed protein can be converted into the body’s own protein and thus made available to the body for all the building and conversion processes in its cells, and thus also in its organs and tissues. However, it should be remembered that chlorella is only taken in small amounts, so that, of course, despite the high protein content, correspondingly little protein is absorbed.
Nonetheless, chlorella can help meet protein needs, especially if someone is eating a fairly low-protein diet. With a daily dose of 7 g of chlorella, there are at least 4 g of protein. For a person who weighs 60 kg and wants to consume the officially recommended 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight, that would already be more than 8 percent of the protein requirement.
Chlorella regulates carbohydrate metabolism
Carbohydrates and fats are not particularly important in terms of quantity. With these nutrients, however, the special features lie in the details. Chlorella accelerates the transport of glucose to the liver and muscle cells so that the energy gained from it is available noticeably faster. This fact is certainly not only extremely interesting for athletes.
In addition, chlorella not only “optimizes” a healthy carbohydrate metabolism, but also significantly improves it when it is already disturbed. In diabetes mellitus, for example, taking chlorella has already proven its worth.
Chlorella is high in detoxifying fiber
The cell wall of chlorella contains an abundance of dietary fiber, which is also a carbohydrate but is not digested. They reach the intestines undigested, where they provide extremely valuable health services. They stimulate intestinal activity and ensure regular bowel movements. The sometimes high concentration of toxins and other harmful substances that are in the intestinal fluid is absorbed by the roughage. They form an inseparable connection with these disease-causing substances so that they can ultimately be excreted together in the stool.
The interesting fatty acid spectrum of chlorella
Chlorella provides more than 30 fatty acids, each consisting of saturated FA, unsaturated FA, and polyunsaturated FA. Together they contribute to the fact that every body cell remains stable, yet flexible and therefore healthy. Among the saturated FAs, capric and lauric acids are particularly noteworthy because they are able to kill bacteria, viruses, and intestinal parasites.
The oleic acid contained in high amounts – from the range of unsaturated FA – has a preventive effect on various types of cancer and can also prevent strokes and heart attacks.
Vital substances in chlorella
Chlorella also leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to vital substances. It contains all water-soluble vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, biotin, vitamin C) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) in a natural combination as well as many other bioactive plant substances.
Minerals include calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium as well as the trace elements iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and selenium. Since chlorella is a freshwater alga, it is almost iodine-free. This can be especially important for people who suffer from an overactive thyroid.
Recommendation for chlorella intake
The chlorella algae are available as a powder, in pressed form as tabs, or in capsules.
A relatively healthy person should consume about 3 – 4 g of chlorella. If there is an increased need, daily consumption of approx. 5 – 10 g (or more) is recommended. For sensitive people, it is advisable to start with an amount of approx. 2 – 3 g and then slowly increase the intake to the desired daily amount. Divide the entire intake amount into two or three times. For example, you can take half in the morning for breakfast and half in the evening with dinner, or spread a third of the amount over each of your three main meals.
Important: Don’t forget to drink at least two liters of still water throughout the day so that the valuable nutrients and vital substances are available to the body quickly and the neutralized or bound toxins can leave your body just as quickly.
Chlorella is unique
Chlorella’s exceptional health value is based on the fact that its countless and sometimes unique ingredients work synergistically. This means that they complement each other so perfectly that their overall effectiveness is multiplied. As a result, the effect of each individual component is many times greater than the sum of all individual components together.
Chlorella provides you with all the nutrients and vital substances and offers every cell powerful antioxidant protection while reducing the toxin load in your body. It fulfills all the requirements for restoring truly good health.
So there are enough plausible reasons why you too should no longer do without your daily dose of green vitality in the form of the wonderful chlorella algae.
