Spirulina and Chlorella Benefits

Spirulina and Chlorella are known to be nutritional supplements and are made primarily from two species of Cyanobacteria: Arthrospira Platensis and Arthrospira Maxima. They are both widely cultivated all over the world for a human dietary supplement, superfood available in tablet, flake and spirulina powder and chlorella powder. We know them by the health food supplement called Spirulina and Chlorella.

It should be pointed out that the name Spirulina is used commonly as a name of commerce and will continue to be used since many companies have devoted a lot of money in the marketing of Arthrospira with the trade name of Spirulina. All the edible forms that are under commercial cultivation and sold as “Spirulina” actually belong to the Genus Arthrospira.

The History of Spirulina and Chlorella

Spirulina history

If we take a look at the past for just a second we can find out that Spirulina has been a food source for the Aztecs in 16th century Mexico. People were harvesting the blue green algae from Lake Texcoco. The first large-scale production plan was established in the early 1970s which drew worldwide attention.

Chlorella history

Chlorella* has been on the earth since the Precambrian period: over 2.5 billion years. However, it was not until the 1890s that chlorella cells were identified by human eyes under a microscope. It was first grown in Holland in pure form in the late 1800s.

By the early 1900s, realizing that chlorella consists of 60% protein and multiplies very fast, scientists in various countries, especially in Germany, began to research the idea of making food from chlorella.

Although the research was interrupted by the two world wars in Europe, the enthusiasm for chlorella research carried on. In 1948, a pilot study at Stanford Research Institute in growing chlorella was successful. However the study had to be closed due to financial problems. In the 1950s, the Carnegie Institute took over the study and they concluded that chlorella could be grown on a commercial scale and would be a solution to help world hunger.

Digestibility problems

Although the naturally tough chlorella cell wall had protected the valuable nutrients inside the cell for 2.5 billion years, it proved to be a disadvantage for human consumption. The problem of digestibility was solved in 1975 when a patented procedure was developed that breaks down the chlorella cell walls and yields a digestibility rate over 80%. There are now many other patented procedures that effectively break down the cell walls.

In the 1960s, the Japanese scientists turned their attention to the possibilities of chlorella as a promoter of good health. It was found that chlorella contains an astonishingly wide variety of vitamins and minerals and other nutrients. Additionally, it has many unknown factors in nature.*from http://www.chlorella-europe.com

If you are interested in detailed evolutionary history, distribution in nature and history of human use as food and production of spirulina, please see summary from the book Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health webpage.

RDA - Recommended Daily Allowance

Recommended daily consumption of either Spirulina or Chlorella is between 3g to 10g, depending on your personal needs and body health condition. Spirulina and Chlorella are the best nutritional supplement. Why? Let's see what are Spirulina and Chlorella Benefits:

Can you take too much Spirulina or Chlorella? The answer is YES!

Overdosing on spirulina is actually quite common in health nut circles, particularly among the raw foodist crowd, who may use it in salad dressings, smoothies, and fresh juices--all in the same day! However, if you stick to the recommended daily allowance which is around 3g to 10g and even up to 40g, you can not go wrong.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/973243

Nutritional profile of Spirulina Powder

Composition	(per 100 g)
1. Macronutrients
Calories	373
Total fat	4.3 g
- Saturated fat	1.95 g
- Polyunsaturated fat	1.93 g
- Monounsaturated fat	0.26 g
- Cholesterol	<0.1 mg
Total carbohydrate	17.8 g
- Dietary fiber	7.7 g
- Sugars	1.3 g
- Lactose	<0.1 g
Protein	63 g
Essential amino acids (mg)
Histidine	1000
Isoleucine	3500
Leucine	5380
Lysine	2960
Methionine	1170
Phenylalanine	2750
Threonine	2860
Tryptophan	1090
Valine	3940
Nonessential amino acids (mg)
Alanine	4590
Arginine	4310
Aspartic acid	5990
Cystine	590
Glutamic acid	9130
Glycine	3130
Proline	2380
Serine	2760
Tyrosine	2500
2. Vitamins
Vitamin A (as 100% β-carotene)	352,000 IU
Vitamin K	1090 mcg
Thiamine HCl (Vitamin B1)	0.5 mg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)	4.53 mg
Niacin (Vitamin B3)	14.9 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridox. HCl)	0.96 mg
Vitamin B12	162 mcg
3. Minerals
Calcium	468 mg
Iron	87.4 mg
Phosphorus	961 mg
Iodine	142 mcg
Magnesium	319 mg
Zinc	1.45 mg
Selenium	25.5 mcg
Copper	0.47 mg
Manganese	3.26 mg
Chromium	<400 mcg
Potassium	1,660 mg
Sodium	641 mg
4. Phytonutrients
Phycocyanin (mean)	17.2%
Chlorophyll (mean)	1.2%
Superoxide dismutase (SOD)	531,000 IU
Gamma linolenic acid (GLA	1080 mg
Total carotenoids (mean)	504 mg
- β-carotene (mean)	211 mg
- Zeaxanthin	101 mg

Source: Data from Earthrise 2006 production, Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health

Spirulina and Chlorella benefits

• Contains impressive amounts of Vitamin B12 & other Vitamin B Complex family, containing Vitamins:
  • Vitamin B1
  • Vitamin B2
  • Vitamin B3
  • Vitamin B5
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B7
  • Vitamin B9
  • Vitamin B12

  B vitamins are essential for growth, development, and a variety of other body functions. They play an importand role in the activities of enzymes, proteins regulating chemical reactions in your body and turning food you eat into energy.

• Contains Essential Trace Minerals
• Spirulina and Chlorella are a super Antioxidant
• Offers a quick recovery from Malnutrition
• Renourishes our bodies and renew our health

  Have been shown to be effective in treating and more important Reversing many conditions: All types of Cancers! Obesity! Diabetes! Hypoglycemia! Arthritis! Depression! Severe Liver Damage and Liver Disorders! Hemorrhoids! Asthma! High Blood Pressure! Infections! Inflammation of Joints and Tissues! Various Degenerative Diseases! Essential Fatty Acid Deficiencies! Mineral Deficiencies (Common Deficiency is have the lack of Magnesium in our body).

• Contains impressive amount of Iron (a really good Iron Source). If someone comes from a doctor's office with his weak blood test results, what is the first we think of? Lack of Iron, I would say. Let's see why do we need so much Iron in our bodies:
  
  

  

  • Very important for building Red Blood Cells. Red Blood Cells do all the great things in your body and the most important is that they keep up your energy. Anemia is pretty much connected to the Iron Deficiency.

  • Essential for Oxygen Transport

  • All and all Iron is one of the most important minerals in our body. Our bodies need it to help the Red Blood Cells delivery Oxygen to the rest of the body.
  
  

Iron in our bodies Now we know that Iron is really important ingredient in our bodies, however the right balance plays an important role. If there is too much Iron in our bodies we can experience Fatigue, Weakness, Weight Loss, Joint Pain, Abdominal Pain. So what is the right amount of Iron that we should consume daily? According to the US RDA (US Recommended Daily Allowance) of iron goes as follows: For Men: 10mg/day (corresponds to app. 10g of Spirulina or Chlorella per day) For Women: 15mg to 18mg. (corresponds to app. 18g of Spirulina or Chlorella per day) Nearly double of Mens RDA. This is because women use and lose much more Iron that Man. Special attention at consuming enough Iron daily should take Pregnant Women, who should consume around 30mg of Iron every day.

Chlorella vs. Spirulina

Each of them has a unique nutritional profile. Although I strongly recommend using them both as part of every meal (I do it), you may find yourself needing one or the other based on certain circumstances. So here’s the score:

Chlorella:

• A better source of chlorophyll, which makes it more detoxifying and cleansing.
• It is especially good for people with liver disorders or people who drink or smoke.
• It is very helpful for people with dry stools who suffer from constipation.
• It is especially good for people who need "rebuilding" -- people who suffer fromdegenerative diseases (muscle, nervous system, etc. - Multiple Sclerosis) or people who are frail.
• Contains Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), which boosts the immune system, reversescancer, and offers other health benefits.
• CGF also helps repair nerve tissues throughout the body and is excellent for treatingdegenerative brain and nerve disorders.

Spirulina:

• A superior source of digestible protein. Contains 12 times the protein of beef.
• Easier on the digestive system than chlorella, which can cause diarrhea in sensitiveindividuals.
• The best source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a "good" fat necessary for the humanbrain, proper heart function, and other body systems.
• Contains phycocyanin, a potent anti-cancer phytochemical that also gives spirulina itscharacteristic blue hue.

As you can see, both chlorella and spirulina offer a vast range of health benefits, and many of their strengths overlap. That’s why I generally recommend that people consume both in substantial quantities. As a general rule, you should consume spirulina and chlorella in a 2:1 ratio. In other words, if you take 10 grams of spirulina a day, take 5 grams of chlorella, too. If you are suffering from a particular health condition, increase your consumption of the microalgae best suited for that condition. These health conditions are discussed in more detail below. Recommended dosages of chlorella and spirulina are also covered in more detail in the “how to take chlorella and spirulina” section later in this guide. Now we’ll take a look at the use of chlorella and spirulina for specific health conditions and dietary patterns.

*Summarized from Superfoods for optimal health - Chlorella & Spirulina, Mike Adams

So, who should take Chlorella or/and Spirulina, as a Health Food Supplement?

• Overweight People
• People that do Physical Excercise
• Low body energy People
• As micro-algae are easy to digest and absorb everybody with Poor Digestion and Assimilation should take it
• Diabetics
• Children
• Pregnant and Nursing Women
• Elderly
• People experiencing lots of Stress in their life

Let us stop here and simply conclude that everybody should take Spirulina and Chlorella as that daily Super Food!

My Personal Experience with Blue Gree Algae Spirulina and Chlorella

I've been taking Spirulina and Chlorella as my daily dietary supplement for many years. I admit that at first I started taking The 'Green Food' just because I heard so many stories of different people telling their stories about taking some sort of Algae. Sure I had to try it. Since I first tried it I have been experiencing many positive effect with my Digestion, Body Energy, Overall Body Health. Well, I have just been feeling good! I am pretty sure that most of you will agree that if you start a day by 'Throwing out of your body a nice portion of Trash' your day will just keep going better and better. Yes, I am a man - I guess, A men have this obsession with the shape, amount, size,...you know what I mean. Appologize the those that do not belong to the Group of 'I am proud of my Dump' people. I should finish before I start talking even more nonsense :)

We can call Spirulina and Chlorella a Super Green Food.

Can Chlorella cure Multiple Sclerosis?

Recently my Mom told me a friend of her had cured or pretty much got rid of all the symptoms of her Multiple Sclerosis by taking Spirulina and Chlorella. Which is by the way insanely amazing! I haven't told you yet that we have Multiple Sclerosis in our family. My brother has been diagnosed to have MS 10 more than years ago and ever since our lives have changed a lot. However, give me some time to research effects of Chlorella to the people suffering by MS.

Soon I'll start writing also a Diary of my brother's progress regarding his MS and taking daily dose of Chlorella/Spirulina. I have to repeat once again that I am not a doctor nor have medical degree, just passionate man about Health Food Supplement, healthy long life, nutritions,...Since RDA of Spirulina or Chlorella is from 2g to 10g a day, I adviced my brother to take bigger amount of Chlorella every day - 10g to 15g. In practise that means that he needs to take around 40 pills every day, which is kind of insane. I'll try to find an easier way, maybe in a form of Spirulina and Chlorella Powder.

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References and Footnotes:

1) http://www.chlorella-europe.com/history.html
2) Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health, M.E. Gershwin and Amha Belay, 2008
3) Superfoods for optimal health - Chlorella & Spirulina, Mike Adams, 2005
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