New Product Introduction
Chlorella
This article first appeared in the
March/April, 1996
issue of VRP's Nutritional News
by Al Adrian
Chlorella is a green, fresh water algae widely distributed throughout the biosphere, and which possesses unique nutritional properties. Used in Japan since its culture became commercially and technically feasible in the early 60s, chlorella is now Japan's most popular food supplement with over 1,000 tons produced annually.
Chlorella has many interesting nutritional properties. It contains more chlorophyll per gram than any other plant. For comparison, Spirulina contains 7.6 gm of chlorophyll per kilogram, whereas Chlorella contains 20-25 gm per kilogram. In addition, dehydrated Chlorella powder is from 50 to 60 percent protein, and is a significant source of beta-carotene, RNA, and vitamin B-12 (nearly 1.5 times that found in beef liver and therefore an excellent supplement for vegetarians). Chlorella powder also contains vitamin C, vitamin B-1, vitamin B-2, vitamin B-3, vitamin B-5, vitamin B-6, folic acid, and biotin.
However, the real benefit of Chlorella does not lie in consumption of traditionally well defined nutrients such as protein and the B vitamins from a novel source, but rather in consumption of a product which has been shown to have antiviral, wound-regenerating, immune-enhancing, and detoxification properties. Japanese biochemists have isolated an ill-defined water soluble extract of
Chlorella (perhaps peptides) dubbed CGF or Chlorella Growth Factor. Studies in Japan have found CGF to have anti cancer effects in standard cancer rodent models. Furthermore, tests of an acidic polysaccharide extract of Chlorella cell walls have demonstrated interferon induction both in-vitro and in-vivo, and this material intra-peritoneally has been used to produce substantial protection of mice to surgically implanted tumors and infection with influenza virus. This effect on interferon production probably accounts for a 1966 Japanese study which found that two grams of daily chlo rella consumption reduced the frequency of colds by 26.5%.
Chlorophyll, well known for its function in photosynthesis in plants, has also been researched for its healing properties in humans. Chlorophyll and chlorella have been found to stimulate the regenera tion of tissues. This effect has been studied and exploited in the treatment of a variety of wounds and ulcerative conditions. Topical or oral administration of Chlorella has been found to be useful in the treatment of diabetic skin ulcers, pyorrhea, cervicitis, radiation burns, and pancreatitis. The mechanism by which chlorella speeds healing is under investigation, but it is hypothesized that cell wall polysaccharides stimulate interferon production, this in turn stimulates TNF (tumor necrosis factor) which activates fibroblast activity. This, along with inhibition of proteases released during inflammation results in a synergistic effect on the healing process.
Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, is Chlorella's growing reputation as a dietary detoxification agent. Chlorella's detoxification capabilities have been extensively studied in Japan where it has been found to increase excretion of cadmium from people suffering from "Itai-itai" (cadmium poisoning). Aside from Chlorella's detoxification of heavy metals such as cadmium, uranium and lead, Chlorella cell wall material has also been found to reduce substantially the half-life of syntheti cally produced hydrocarbons such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and chlordecone (a pesti cide) in rats under experimental conditions. Dr. Ueda of the Kitakyushu City Institute for Environ mental Pollution Research in Japan prescribes a daily consumption of four to six grams of chlorella powder in the event of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) poisoning--he reports success with the use of this protocol in almost all of those treated.
The Chlorella product VRP is introducing has been approved for use in Japan for many years and has some unique advantages. Grown indoors under controlled conditions, VRP's chlorella is free of the filth, contaminating microorganisms, insect larvae and pesticides often found in the cultures of species of chlorella grown outdoors. Also, this particular species of Chlorella, C hlorella regularis, yields a digestibility value often exceeding 75%.
In conclusion, although research on the health benefits of chlorella is on-going, and its mechanisms of action are still not completely understood, supplementation with Chlorella on a daily basis is safe and well tolerated (some cases of allergy have been reported). With daily production of pesticides and other synthetically produced chemicals increasing (with accumulation of these substances at the top of the food chain), daily Chlorella supplementation should be of increasing interest to the health conscious consumer.
Vitamin Research Products, Inc.
3579 Hwy. 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701
1-702-884-1300, fax 1-702-884-1331
1-800-877-2447, fax 1-800-877-3292
VRP's HomePage http://www.vrp.com
email: mail@vrp.com
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No information in this article should be taken as a recommendation. If you have any questions about the relationship between Chlorella and your health, seek the advice of a qualified physician.