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Microalgae Superfoods -
Spirulina and Chlorella
Microscopic algaes were amongst the first
life forms on our planet. They are responsible for fixing massive amounts of
carbon dioxide while producing and sustaining the atmospheric oxygen that has
allowed the miraculous evolutionary blossoming of all forms of higher life. The
incredible spark that ignited life on earth, as well as billions of years of
successful evolutionary wisdom is encoded in their DNA. At this time in history
when pollution, cancer and other disease has reached epidemic proportions, many
people are instinctively turning to these original life forms for nutritional
healing. These superfoods are easily cultivated and have been suggested as the
answer to the daunting question of how we will feed the starving masses of our
ever increasing world population. Small amounts of microalgaes like Chlorella
and Spirulina provide an exceptionally tremendous wealth of nutrients that are
essential to health but increasingly deficient in today’s toxic diet of
heavily processed lifeless foods. They are ideal for those preferring a simple
whole food supplement over dozens of artificial vitamin and nutrient sources.
The unique nourishing and healing properties of Chlorella and Spirulina truly
complement one another. Anyone can benefit from consuming a little of these
original foods each day.
CHLORELLA Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Chlorella is an amazing
single cell freshwater green microalgae
that is the superfood of choice for over 10 million people
worldwide. The first known form of plant life with a true
nucleus, it has survived for 2.5 billion years because of its
extremely tough outer cell wall and its ability to quadruple in
quantity every 20 hours, making it the fastest growing plant on
earth! The most extensive scientifically researched foodstuff
and #1 supplement in Japan. NASA believes it to be the ideal
food for long term space travel and colonization. Chlorella is
said to be the most powerful yet gentle detoxifying whole food
known.
Chlorella contains an impressive 60+% bioavailable protein;
providing 19 amino acids including all essential aminos in
excellent proportions. It is high in enzymes, vitamins A, B1,
B2, B3, B5(niacin), B6, B12, C, E, K, an array of carotenes,
folic acid, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus,
iodine and exceptionally high in iron. Richest of all the edible
algaes in essential fatty acids. It has the highest levels of
chlorophyll of any natural source, up to 5 to 10 times that of
Spirulina! Chlorophyll kills harmful bacteria, is nearly
identical to hemoglobin in blood and is a remarkable agent for
blood building, cleansing and tissue repair. Chlorella is by far
the richest source for RNA/DNA, which when taken in foods
provides material for cellular repair and revitalization,
contributing to rapid healing, greater energy and longer life
span. The nucleus of the chlorella cell contains a unique
nucleotide-peptide complex known as Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF)
which actually promotes cell growth in the body, stimulating
tissue repair and healing to an extent not previously found in
any other food, it even increases growth rates in children!
Chlorella produces an incredible enhancement of metabolic
function, rebuilds and fortifies the immune system, slows aging,
greatly improves digestion and stimulates the growth of
beneficial bacteria in the bowels. It is highly effective
helping the body to breakdown and detoxify a wide variety of
environmental toxins. In fact, Chlorella’s outer cell wall has
the unique ability to bind with heavy metals and persistent
toxicants like DDT and PCBs and carry them safely out of the
body. The cell wall also contains a substructure of complex
polysaccharides that stimulate interferon production to fight
off viruses and other foreign agents. Clinical research has
shown chlorella to aid in protecting against and healing an
amazingly wide spectrum of maladies including: colds and flus,
liver disease, high cholesterol, tumors/cancers, ulcers,
Alzheimers, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, candida overgrowth,
loss of vision, even radiation sickness.
A starting dose is about 1 teaspoon a day, working up to 4 or
more over several weeks. More should be taken when illness is
present, as a safeguard when traveling and during the cold and
flu season. Chlorella has a much milder taste compared to other
algaes like Spirulina and is excellent mixed into juice,
smoothies, sauces, soups and other foods. Blending with equal
parts honey is a real treat, kids love it! Chlorella is known to
increase the growth of lactobacillus acidophilus and enhances
the preparation of fermented foods and drinks such as
sauerkraut, yogurt and kefir. The most pronounced effects are
usually experienced after consuming Chlorella daily for 2-3
months; increased energy accompanied by mental
clarity and a remarkable feeling of well being. Great for
everyone, healthy or ill, children, elders, even pets!
Chlorella’s tough outer wall of cellulose is largely
indigestible, but the Japanese have come up with several methods
to overcome this problem. Our Chlorella is exposed to supersonic
sound, which vibrates the cells together weakening the cell
walls and causing small ruptures. The chlorella is then spray
dried, further permeating the cell walls without completely
fracturing them. This process produces a beautiful deep green
powder that is one of the most digestible products while
preserving the high nutrient content that is partially destroyed
by other production methods. The protein content of our
Chlorella is typically 65% while Chlorella produced by the
patented dyno-mill method is closer to 50%.
Our Chlorella is naturally cultivated in sun exposed
ponds in Japan. Sun exposure assures the highest levels of
chlorophyll, CGF and other phytonutrients. Growth, harvest and
processing is closely monitored, our Chlorella powder tests
negative for all pollutants and microbes.
Chlorella keeps well. For optimum nutrient preservation we
suggest storing in an air tight glass container under
refrigeration. One pound fits into a one quart mason jar.
Permeated
(cracked) cell wall Chlorella powder $16/8 oz or $26/lb
SPIRULINA Spirulina platensis
A microscopic spiral shaped blue-green algae
native to shallow brackish lakes. Also known as a cyanobacteria, 3.6 billion
year old fossils attest to its longevity. Esteemed as a superfood for centuries
by people inhabiting the regions surrounding Mexico’s Lake Texcoco and Africa’s
Lake Chad, Lake Nakura and Lake Rudolf. It is one of the most heavily
researched, nutritious, well rounded foods on earth. Spirulina complements and
should not be confused with the other popular edible blue-green algae, Aphanizomenon
flos-aquae -- a nutritive cerebral stimulant wildcrafted from Oregon’s
Klamath Lake.
Spirulina contains 65-75% easily digested complete protein, the highest amount
of any food. This is 3 to 4 times more than the poorly assimilable protein found
in fish, chicken and beef. It has 18 amino acids including the essential 8, over
2000 enzymes, phytonutrients, and a vast array of minerals including zinc, iron,
calcium, selenium, manganese, chromium, and iodine. It’s the richest known
plant in vitamin B12, one of the top sources for the full spectrum of
carotenoids, and is abundant in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, D, E, K,
chlorophyll, and RNA/DNA. It is the best natural source for the potent
antioxidant evercetin. It contains sulfolipids that show promise for their
anti-HIV action. A good source of essential fatty acids like DHA, and next to
human breast milk, it’s thought to be the best whole food source for the rare
fatty acid GLA. Spirulina contains the unique blue pigment phycocyanin -- shown to
inhibit cancer, protect the kidneys and increase mental capacity. Spirulina’s
cell wall is composed entirely of digestible mucopolysaccharides that are
credited with strong antiinflammatory action and strengthening connective
tissues while making them more elastic and resilient -- one of the reasons
Spirulina is loved by yogis and olympic athletes.
Regular consumption of Spirulina is fortifying to immune- function and aids
digestion. Many people report that after eating Spirulina for several months
they sunburn less easily. Scores of scientific studies point to its usefulness
in cases of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, hepatitis, candida, and
a host of other disorders. A Russian patent has been awarded Spirulina as
medicine for its effectiveness in treating radiation sickness in the children of
Chernobyl. It is being used in many programs to combat malnutrition in third
world countries. Spirulina is becoming increasingly popular in pet foods as its
health benefits are seen as extending far outside the human realm.
Start with ingesting 1 tablespoon a day and work up to 4 or more over time.
Larger amounts can be taken for cleansing, athletic performance and defending
against specific illness. The favorite method of ingestion is mixing with honey,
juice or smoothies. It also combines well with many other foods. Spirulina gives
a great energy boost and is sustaining and detoxifying during fasts. We’ve
found that consuming Spirulina daily for several months produces a subtle yet
distinct shift in consciousness best described as a euphoric heightening of
sensory awareness.
Acre for acre, Spirulina cultivation can produce 20 times more protein than
soybeans and 2000 times more than beef cattle with practically no environmental
impact. Our Spirulina is cultivated in shallow open ponds
adjacent to the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii. The ponds are filled with fresh water
and supplemented with ancient, mineral rich ocean water pulled from a depth of
2000 feet. To harvest, the spirulina is rinsed numerous times with fresh water,
filtered and dried in a low oxygen environment by a unique patented process
called Ocean Chilled Drying. This method completely eliminates any loss of
nutrients, producing the finest grade dark green powder with a mild sea
vegetable taste. It has the highest carotene, phytonutrient and enzyme content
of any Spirulina. It is regularly tested by an independent laboratory to assure
that it is of top quality and totally free from microbes, pesticides and other
contaminants. It is certified Kosher.
To best preserve nutrients we suggest storing Spirulina in an air tight glass
jar in the refrigerator. One pound fits into a one quart mason jar.
Grown Without Chemicals Hawaiian
Spirulina powder $18/8 oz or $32/lb
Change in Spirulina
Certification
Please note that the grower of our
Spirulina has chosen to drop their organic certification due to changes in
regulations, they have not changed anything about their growing
practices, all that has changed are the organic certification regulations. In
2002 the National Organic Standards Board voted to continue to allow the use of
mined Chilean nitrate in Spirulina production only until October 2005. (Chilean
nitrate is a water soluble form of nitrogen widely used in production of Organic
Spirulina up until that time). Unfortunately, the USDA organic production
regulations are directed at terrestrial farming and do not address the unique
position occupied by aquatic farming of crops such as Spirulina. Production of
Spirulina requires water soluble forms of phosphorous and nitrogen. This is not
desired in terrestrial farming as soluble forms of phosphorous and nitrogen can
negatively effect soil and ground water; on the other hand, in Spirulina
production this is not a problem because all culture ponds are lined and there
is no runoff or contamination of ground water. With Chilean nitrate now
prohibited in all organic production systems, an alternative source of organic
soluble nitrogen must be used. The only sources of soluble nitrogen allowed
under organic regulations are compost teas and various manures. The grower has
examined these potential sources and found them unsatisfactory because they
would 1) Contaminate the Spirulina with lead and other heavy metals. 2) Increase
bacterial count. 3) Produce inferior Spirulina with an umpleasant smell and
taste at a much higher cost. In many ways standard Spirulina culture methods are
compatible with traditional organic growing systems. Spirulina does not create
any ground water pollution or soil erosion since it is grown in lined ponds.
Water and energy are used much more efficiently than in terrestrial agriculture
use (including organic systems). Our Spirulina is GMO free, grown without the
use of pesticides or herbicides, produced using pure deep seawater pumped from a
depth of 2000' as a source of trace minerals and use a patented OceanChill
drying process to preserve oxygen sensitive nutrients. This Spirulina has the
highest purity by far and the highest nutritional value of any Spirulina
available.
*The statements on
our website are not intended as medical advice and have not been evaluated by
the FDA. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease. This notice is required by the federal food, drug & cosmetic act.*
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