Bestcare - Chlorella Facts
Chlorella is a species of microscopic, single-cell green micro-algae approximately the size of a human blood cell. It has been on the earth for over 30 million years and it was the first simplest form of life with a true nucleus. Chlorella's name is devised from the fact that it contains the highest concentration of chlorophyll of any known plant on earth; like other chlorophyll-containing plants, algae convert inorganic chemical elements to organic matter by using light energy in a process called photosynthesis.
Under favourable growing conditions with strong sunlight, pure water and clean air, chlorella reproduces itself by cell division at the rate of 4 new cells every 17-24 hours.
The process of reproduction can generally be divided into four steps: growth-ripening-maturity-division. At the division stage, a "mother" cell divides into 4 "daughter" cells. It is this rich chlorophyll content that gives chlorella its deep emerald-green colour and the pleasant seaweed-like smell. The fibrous chlorella shell has two important functions: the first is that it protects the inner cellular membranes until the algae is completely dry; secondly, the outer shell holds all the nutrients from the water and it is this ability of the chlorella for absorbing and retaining all the minerals and nutrients that makes it a superb natural cleansing supplement.
It was not until the 1900s that scientists realize that chlorella consists of 60% protein by weight and multiplies very fast and they began to research the idea of making food from chlorella. However, its low digestibility prevented it from being commercialised as a food until 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 and exposing the nutrient-rich cytoplasm. A research group under Dr. Dam concluded that humans are able to consume algae as their principal protein source and survive for 20 days with no ill-effects; in this study, algae supplied 90-95% of the protein needs of the human subjects.
Chlorella is a truly super green plant food. All its ingredients work synergistically in perfect balance creating a truly remarkable "complete" wholefood where the sum is bigger than its nutrient parts. Here are some of the most powerful aspects of its nutritional profile:
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16 vitamins and 8 minerals (plus vital trace elements and minerals)
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19 amino acids (including the 9 essential)
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The highest concentration of RNA/DNA nucleic acid in all known plant foods
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The richest source of chlorophyll known to man
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Highly digestible complete protein
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Essential fatty acids - Omega-3 and Omega-6
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Nutritional co-factors including enzymes, polysaccharides and sterols
And then there is the phytonutrient CGF (Chlorella Growth Factor) which truly sets chlorella apart from any other green wholefoods. CGF is derived from the nuclei of chlorella and is made mostly of nucleic acid derivates, including RNA and DNA, which enhance growth of gut flora, govern cell growth and reproduction, tissue repair and protection against toxins without any harmful effects. The amount of nucleic acid in the human body decreases with age and this adds to premature aging and weakened immunity. Replenishing RNA/DNA is therefore important to every aspect of bodily health and longevity. Since chlorella has a true nucleus, it is a more evolved organism than any other common green microalgae and, therefore, offer superior quality RNA/DNA.
Chlorella not only is it considered to be the perfect natural health supplement far superior to the synthetic supplements, multivitamins and minerals, but it also has a truly amazing range of nutritional effects. Like all food supplements. it normally comes in three forms: tablets, powder and capsules. The ingredients of chlorella tablets are exactly the same as the powder and most people prefer to take tablets rather than powder mainly for practical reasons: one can swallow the tablets anytime and anywhere with a little water; powder, on the other hand, needs to be mixed with water or juices and that is not always easy (when in the office or travelling).
As more people from all corners of the world discover each day, this ultra-green vegetable is proving itself to be an invaluable, everyday wholefood dietary supplement.
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