Chlorella has been scientifically researched
When you attend a fashion show in Milan, Paris or anywhere else in the world, you will notice that the models parading the wares of Gucci et al on the catwalk all have very similar characteristics, some may even say they possess a generic catwalk look. Every so often however, a model appears that defies the normal customs and becomes a superstar. They may have different curves or unique features but there is something that marks them out as one of a kind. Naturopathic medicine is no different in this regard. Nature has blessed us with fine specimens such as milk thistle, lavender buds and Echinacea flowers from which we can derive remedies for ailments and stress. These would be considered as standard with algae such as Spirulina and Chlorella dismissed as tasteless pond life. Yet enormous amounts of scientific research shows that this viewpoint is inherently flawed. Ignoring the health benefits of these particular algae for cosmetic reasons is extremely foolish. There are forms of algae that have found to be toxic while the majority of algae do not have a pleasant smell or taste. Yet taste issues must be overlooked because scientists have discovered that the aforementioned Chlorella and Spirulina algae have tremendous health benefits for us. (1,2,3).
Here is some further information on how these algae are the real superstars of the health food circuit.
How Chlorella helps pregnancy: A study of 70 women who suffered from pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and pregnancy anemia were separated into two groups: one who were given nothing but a placebo with the other taking 6 grams of Chlorella per day from when they were three months pregnant until childbirth. It was found that those who received Chlorella had major improvements in anemia during the remainder of their pregnancy; this was measured via hemoglobin levels. Chlorella users also benefited from the fact that two major signs of PIH (edema and proteinuria) declined during the final trimester. The test was carried out by Japanese scientists who noted that Chlorella contains natural organic sources of iron, Vitamin B12 and folic acid which is believed to be a major factor in the positive health benefits that those who took Chlorella received.(4).
Chlorella and smoking: The health journal Nutrition published a study in August 2009 which gave data of an experiment to see what effects a daily intake of Chlorella would have on male smokers. Like the above trial, there were two groups (aged 20-65) with one group receiving a placebo. The other group were asked to consume 6.3 grams of Chlorella vulgaris for 6 weeks. Blood tests were taken before and after the test to ascertain the results. It was shown that Chlorella users showed a large increase in certain antioxidants such as Vitamin E (up 16%) and Vitamin A (up 44%). Also, indications of an increased level of systematic antioxidant enzymes (erythrocyte catalase and super oxide dismutase) were shown as was a decrease in the amount of DNA damage suffered from use of tobacco. The final conclusion from the experiment was that “Chlorella is an important whole-food supplement that should be included as a key component of a healthy diet.”(5).
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Chlorella and Animal Studies: Animal trials that were conducted recently also show that there is a bright future for Chlorella in the health food industry. The Journal Neuroscience Letters published a study in October 2009 which showed how Chlorella supplements decreased cognitive decline in old mice as well lowering age-related oxidative stress. A trial was published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in the same month which reported that the addition of Chlorella to a poor diet “may prevent insulin resistance” in diabetes-prone rats. Yet another study, this time in Taiwan, showed that Chlorella was as effective as milk thistle in terms of protecting the liver of lab rats against damage caused by chemicals. This is significant because milk thistle is currently considered to be king of the castle when it comes to remedies for supporting liver health.(6,7,8).
How Spirulina helps athletic performance: Adding just 6 grams of Spirulina per day to the diets of “moderately trained males” for 4 weeks was shown to increase fat burning and systemic antioxidant levels (glutathione?GSH), reduce oxidative stress brought on by exercise (lipid peroxidation) and improve stamina and exercise performance in general.(9)
Spirulina + Chlorella and Heavy Metals: An experiment conducted by the Department of Pharmacology at the Mymensingh Medical College in Bangladesh showed that Spirulina extracts could basically remove arsenic from the livers of mice who suffered from arsenic poisoning (arsenicosis). A team of researchers from Japan reported in September 2009 that Chlorella could “contribute to the prevention of gastrointestinal absorption of lead and the promotion of the excretion of lead” in mice. The ever-increasing pace of industrialization around the world had led to innumerable cases of illness and developmental disorders from overexposure to heavy metal. Taking algae such as Chlorella and Spirulina may well be the most viable strategy to prevent illness from heavy metal in regions where industrialization is at its heaviest. (10,11)
Spirulina and Diabetes: An Indian study from Pondicherry University in Kalapet showed that one month’s worth of Spirulina supplements resulted in positive changes amongst rats with diabetes. Issues such as body weight, insulin, pancreatic health and blood glucose were measured and improvements were discovered in each case. Another trial in the same country showed that a combination of a regular anti-diabetic drug such as Rosiglitazone or Avandia and Spirulina could reduce the risk of bone less related to drugs in insulin resistant rats. The authors of the study believed that Spirulina’s high levels of calcium and phosphorous could account for the increased strength of the bones found. It is also likely that its high levels of Vitamins K and K2 are another reason for this. Improvements in “fasting serum glucose, HDL, LDL and triglycerides” were also found in rats that were given the combination of Spirulina and regular drugs.(12,13)
It is no surprise to see that Oriental countries such as China, Japan and Korea carried out numerous studies on algae as these nations have a proud tradition of promoting and using health food products. The sheer volume of algae experiments in India however were unexpected. The use of therapeutic algae in India is not well known. A September 2009 scientific review in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology on traditional Indian plants included Chlorella vulgaris in its evaluation of the topic. The authors stated that Chlorella and a dozen plant species were being “reported for the first time for the treatment of inflammation related diseases” in the tradition of Indian healing. (14)
All of these studies show that is would indeed be prudent to ignore any reservations you may have regarding algae’s odor or taste. Medicinal algae’s uses appear to be numerous with only a fraction of its benefits uncovered thus far. Eye drops containing an extract of Spirulina platensis is being tested at present to see if they are effective against corneal diseases such as macular degeneration. Initial evidence is promising. It shows that this 100% natural eye drop could be far more effective than drugs such as Lucentis and Avastin which are widely used for eye problems at present. (15).
All of the studies that have been referenced here have used Chlorella and Spirulina in tablet or capsule form. As both algae have a flavor that can best be described as ‘aquatic’, people generally prefer to consume them in capsule form rather than put it on their food. Yet a smoothie or protein shake can hide the taste pretty well. While there may be ‘green food’ supplements in capsule form now, once upon a time it was more common to consume a mixed greens formula that had Chlorella and Spirulina in powder form. It is vital that you find a form of this supplement that suits your taste buds. If you cannot stand the taste, it is unlikely that you will take it regularly which is a real shame when you consider the startling health benefits discovered so far. So if you can find tablets or capsules go and purchase them and benefit from the super foods that are Chlorella and Spirulina.
REFERENCES:
1: Ingestion and excretion of arsenic compounds present in edible brown algae, Hijikia fusiforme, by mice
Satoshi Ichikawaa, Shihoko Nozawaa, Ken’ichi Hanaokab and Toshikazu Kaise
2: Domoic acid: Neurobehavioral consequences of exposure to a prevalent marine biotoxin
Kimberly S. Granta, Thomas M. Burbachera, b, Elaine M. Faustmana, b and Lynn Gratttan
3: The algal metabolite yessotoxin affects heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins in HepG2 cells
Clifford Young, Penelope Truman, Magalie Boucher, Robert A. Keyzers, Peter Northcote, T. William Jordan Dr.
4: Chlorella pyrenoidosa Supplementation Reduces the Risk of Anemia, Proteinuria and Edema in Pregnant Women
Shiro Nakano, Hideo Takekoshi, Masuo Nakano
5: Six-week supplementation with Chlorella has favorable impact on antioxidant status in Korean male smokers.
Lee SH, Kang HJ, Lee HJ, Kang MH, Park YK
6: Preventive effects of Chlorella on cognitive decline in age-dependent dementia model mice
Yuya Nakashima, Ikuroh Ohsawa, Fumiko Konishi, Takashi Hasegawa, Shoichiro Kumamoto, Yoshihiko Suzuki, Shigeo Ohta
7: Effect of Chlorella vulgaris on Glucose Metabolism in Wistar Rats Fed High Fat Diet
Hee Sun Lee, Mi Kyung Kim
8: Hepatoprotection of Chlorella against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Oxidative Damage in Rats
HSIN-YI PENG, YU-CHAN CHU, SHU-JU CHEN, SU-TZE CHOU
9: Ergogenic and Antioxidant Effects of Spirulina Supplementation in Humans
KALAFATI, MARIA; JAMURTAS, ATHANASIOS Z.; NIKOLAIDIS, MICHALIS G.; PASCHALIS, VASSILIS; THEODOROU, ANASTASIOS A.; SAKELLARIOU, GIORGOS K.; KOUTEDAKIS, YIANNIS; KOURETAS, DIMITRIS
10: Comparison between the Effects of Alcohol and Hexane Extract of Spirulina in Arsenic Removal from Isolated Tissues.
Saha SK, Misbahuddin M, Ahmed AU
11: Parachlorella beyerinckii accelerates lead excretion in mice
Takuya Uchikawa, Takeyuki Ueno, Takashi Hasegawa, Isao Maruyama, Shoichiro Kumamoto, Yotaro Ando: Chlorella Industry Co. Ltd, Chikugo, Fukuoka, Japan
12: Alterations in beta-islets of Langerhans in alloxan-induced diabetic rats by marine Spirulina platensis
P. Muthuraman, R. Senthilkumar, K. Srikumar: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, India
13: Spirulina protects against rosiglitazone induced osteoporosis in insulin resistance rats.
Gupta S, Hrishikeshvan HJ, Sehajpal PK: Department of Pharmacology, M. M. College of Pharmacy, M. M. University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
14: An Ethnobotanical Study Of Traditional Anti-Inflammatory Plants Used By The Lohit Community Of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Namsa ND, Tag H, Mandal M, Kalita P, Das AK
15: Inhibitory effects of polysaccharide extract from Spirulina platensis on corneal neovascularization
Lingling Yang, Yao Wang, Qingjun Zhou, Peng Chen, Yiqiang Wang, Ye Wang, Ting Liu, and Lixin Xie: State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Qingdao, China
