Algae - it's not just for your fish tank - April 14, 2011

Dear Friends of Roscoe Chiropractic,

If you're like me eating green foods is difficult.  I don't know if I need to eat blindfolded or what, but even with the understanding that green foods are far more healthy than the many chocolate covered or carbohydrate filled foods I generally eat, I still struggle with it. I have good news there are options for us green food challenged people! When you think of algae does your mind go immediately to a dirty swimming pool or fish tank? Yea, mine too. It seems that as there are healthy forms of bacteria there are healthy forms of algae as well.

So I'll tell you about our friend Chlorella. Back in the 1950's it was touted as a miracle food that could "save humanity", there was concern with the world's exploding population that it would lead to massive food shortages. It was at this time that researchers became aware of  this nutrient-filled green algae. They saw the potential in this fast-reproducing, waterborne algae to be a quick and cheap way to feed a planet. In the end it turned out that it wasn't as cheaply produced on a mass level as they'd thought and with improved agricultural methods, it diminished the fear of world starvation. Exit Chlorella...or maybe not....

Fast forward to the present. Just several years ago Chlorella was made available as a supplement, because of it's rich array of nutrients, such as amino acids, beta carotene, B vitamins, protein, fiber and several essential minerals.  It can be used to treat a number of potentially serious health conditions. Chlorella has a powerful effect in the area of boosting your body's immune response. It does this by stimulating a protein called interferon that helps drive the production of white blood cells. When boosted by chlorella these cells do a better job of attacking invaders and sweeping the body clean.

Research on Chlorella also shows that it helps remove contaminants that we come into contact with and absorb daily. It binds to heavy metals, PCB's, and other toxins and then carries them to the body's waste systems.

So this potent little algae isn't your run of the mill dirty pool green stuff! This is something worth looking into!