Kabira bay at Ishigaki island, where our Yaeyama chlorella is cultivated. By Ippei Naoi
Yaeyama chlorella is a subspecies of chlorella vulgaris and is single-celled fresh water algae which is grown on Ishigaki Island, one of the Yaeyama Islands of Japan. These islands are renowned for their beauty and the fact that they are semi-tropical. This means that beautiful summers are paired with mild winters. Yaeyama chlorella thrives here due to the combination of ideal climate and is grown in outdoor tanks underneath the tropical sun using food grade nutrients and mountain spring water. The islands are visited by over half a million Japanese tourists per year yet it is an unknown paradise for western visitors. Those who do visit the islands hope that this idyllic paradise remains their secret..
With Yaeyama chlorella, it is vital to choose the highest quality available. There is no sense in wasting money on something that will not benefit you in the way it should. The best form of Yaeyama chlorella will be 100% pure with absolutely no traces of fragrances, odors or ‘filler’. True Yaeyama chlorella will improve your health in ways you would not believe. It will cleanse your digestive system, boost your immune system and purify your blood. It contains a host of antioxidants like beta-carotene and Vitamin A which protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals which are molecules that contain an unshared electron. Free radicals damage cells and might contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. In addition, it contains 2.5% chlorophyll which is known to increase your body’s cleansing speed. Amino acids such as L-lysine are also found in abundance in Yaeyama chlorella which is ideal for vegetarians as such amino acids are lacking in their diet. Athletes can also take it in confidence as 60% of its weight is made up from the proteins alone. It is even the perfect health food for those who faithfully follow certain religious practices as it has been certified kosher.
Inferior quality chlorella should be avoided at all costs because it is a potential health risk as well as a waste of money. While Yaeyama chlorella is grown naturally in perfect conditions, other countries attempt to grow it artificially which not only sacrifices the quality, it also leads to some potential health hazards. The artificial lighting does not enrich the chlorella as much and the quality control is sadly lacking. Some chlorella such as that grown in Taiwan does grow outdoors but once again the quality control is not stringent enough and dangerous metals are allowed slip through the net as does harmful bacteria. Short term problems from the metals may be apparent but longer term issues may not be as easy to spot. Years of contamination could pose serious health disorders so there is no good reason to consume anything other than genuine Yaeyama chlorella.
The aforementioned quality control problems associated with Yaeyama chlorella imitations are not an issue with the real thing. On Ishigaki Island, the chlorella is closely monitored to ensure complete purity. You can guarantee that nothing approaching contaminated chlorella will ever be allowed to leave the island. While the inferior Yaeyama chlorella has scant regard for regulations, real chlorella routinely passes the difficult GMP certification process. These strict tests measure every single aspect of the algae’s production. All personnel are checked to ensure that they have received the proper training. All equipment such as the air and water purification systems are scrutinized to make sure they are in perfect working order. The entire area in and around the algae is also checked as is the handling and processing of the product. Basically, GMP testing leaves no stone unturned in its quest for high standards and the Ishigaki-grown Yaeyama chlorella breezes through every hurdle. In addition to this, the chlorella is also ISO 9001-HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certified. It is a system that is built to ensure the safety and quality of the produced food. HACCP certification is recognized worldwide by government food authorities and food businesses.
You can spot high quality Yaeyama chlorella easily because its packaging is also top class. It is packaged in air-tight, resealable, aluminum stand-up pouches and has food grade plastic lining. Avoid packets that don’t contain this as you do not know if what you’re getting is the correct product. Yaeyama chlorella is notable for its deep green color and has a pleasant smell, reminiscent of grass that has been freshly cut during the summer. Packets will remain fresh for up to three months which provides you with plenty of time to enjoy the algae as it is contained in 100 gram packages which are designed to last customers for one month. Larger packs are inadvisable because although Yaeyama chlorella is as fresh as a spring morning it will not maintain its purity for long periods of time once the package has been opened. This is not to say that it will become useless, it just means that you will not be getting the very best that Yaeyama chlorella has to offer which defeats the purpose of taking the supplement.
For health benefits that will last you long into the future, choose Yaeyama chlorella from Ishigaki island. Accept no substitute because there is nothing that can elevate your energy levels, provide you with much needed vitamins and minerals and give you a youthful feeling quite like genuine Yaeyama chlorella.
Our Japanese Yaeyama Chlorella is 100% pure, with no additives whatsoever, ISO9001-HACCP certified (which means it complies to high food safety standards), has a deep green color and a fresh grass-like aroma. Click here to order.
