Spirulina and Chlorella: Superfoods
Smart nutritionists will tell you that if you want to enjoy a high quality of life and good health, you need to include green foods in your diet every day. They’ll also tell you that the more green foods you incorporate into your diet, the healthier you’ll be.
Two green foods associated with nutrition are spirulina and chlorella. Let's take a look at the differences between these two types of algae.
Chlorella – A powerful detoxifying and immune-boosting agent
Chlorella is classified as a single-celled freshwater green algae. Inside its cell is chlorophyll, the green pigment that gives plants their green color. Chlorophyll is a powerful detoxifier for the body. Liquid chlorophyll can easily lead to an overdose if you initially take more than a quarter of a teaspoon daily. You should not take a full teaspoon of liquid chlorophyll because it can trigger detoxification reactions.
Chlorophyll is also good for oxygen metabolism, which, of course, every part of the body needs to grow and repair itself.
Chlorella resembles other freshwater and saltwater plants, such as brown algae, and as a result, it binds to metals such as cadmium, mercury, uranium, and radioactive minerals. This algae has a similar effect on the body, flushing these undesirable metals out of the body. This allows cells to function as they should. Heavy metals destroy the immune system, and the more ways you have to regularly detoxify your body, the healthier you’ll be over time.
- The results of studies conducted in several countries show that adding 5 grams of Chlorella algae added to your diet daily, benefits the immune system in an incredible way. There has been a significant increase in the natural killer cells of the immune system. These cells kill cancer cells. Chlorella also increases levels of interleukin-1-beta and interferon, two substances that benefit the immune system.
- Chlorella is an excellent source of beta-carotene, which is the precursor to vitamin A in the body. Beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant, providing the body with a defense against free radicals.
- This blue-green algae is also excellent for the colon; it helps by creating a suitable environment for beneficial bacteria called probiotics, so they can live there.
Spirulina – Great for the immune system because it provides a wealth of nutrients
The Spirulina It is not green algae but rather blue-green. A biologist would call Spirulina a cyanobacterium, which means it uses the sun just as other plants do; however, its genetic material is not entirely localized within the cell.
Both chlorella and spirulina are easily digestible because their cell walls are made of mucopolysaccharides. Mucopolysaccharides are found in many plants, especially Echinacea, which is used to combat infectious diseases because of the effect that mucopolysaccharides have on the immune system.
Health enthusiasts tout spirulina's high protein content and its content of vitamin B12; however, you would have to consume large amounts of spirulina to get as much protein as you would from a chicken thigh or a slice of cheese. Even so, spirulina is certainly a good plant-based source of protein to add to your diet.
- The high content of B12 is interesting; however, the body does not absorb vitamin B12 from plant sources very well, so large amounts must be consumed.
- Spirulina also provides gamma-linoleic acid, Once again, the average dose will provide only minimal amounts, but it will be a good supplement to your diet.Gamma-linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid which has proven to be helpful for women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), children with neurological problems, and those suffering from skin rashes.
- Spirulina contains a pigment called phycocyanin, which is an antioxidant that may be beneficial for brain, heart, bone, immune system, and red blood cell health.
- In a study conducted in Japan, the number of natural killer cells increased in an experiment with mice that had tumors, and the researchers were so impressed with the study's results that they believed spirulina could be used as a way to cancer immunotherapy in the future.
So, should you take one instead of the other? You can simply take both and enjoy the benefits of each. The dosage for each starts at one capsule a day, and you can increase the dose over time.
Sources:
Akao, Y., et al. Enhancement of antitumor natural killer cell activation by orally administered Spirulina extract in mice. Cancer Sci Aug. 2009; 100(8): 1494-501.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19432881
Kwak, J.H., et al. Beneficial immunostimulatory effect of short-term Chlorella supplementation: enhancement of natural killer cell activity and early inflammatory response (randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial). Nutrition Journal July 31, 2012; 11: 53. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22849818
