Health Benefits of Chlorella

November 10, 2004

http://www.mercola.com/chlorella/index.htm

Chlorella: A Natural Wonder Food

Help Rebuild Your Immune System

When cooked, Chlorella can be used to make a powerful health

stimulating extract called Chlorella growth factor (CGF). CGF is

derived from the various peptides, proteins and other substances that

are leached from the heat extract created from boiling chlorella. The

potent peptides that are created during the boiling process are not

originally found in the algae.

CGF has been studied for its many outstanding therapeutic benefits --

including powerful natural immune enhancers and amazing growth

promoting effects. CGF has also been attributed to increasing your

body's production of T and B lymphocytes, interferon and tumor

necrosis factor.

Powerful Detoxification Aid for Mercury, Other Heavy Metals, Pesticides

Numerous research projects in the USA and Europe indicate that

chlorella can also aid the body in the breakdown of persistent

hydrocarbon and metallic toxins such as DDT, PCB, mercury, cadmium and

lead, while strengthening the immune system response. In Japan,

interest in chlorella has focused largely on its detoxifying

properties -- its ability to neutralize or remove poisonous substances

from the body.

This detoxification of heavy metals and other chemical toxins in the

blood will take 3-6 months to build up enough to begin this process

depending on the dosage of chlorella a person is taking. It is also

this fibrous material that greatly augments healthy digestion and

overall digestive track health.

Chlorella plays a particularly crucial role in systemic mercury

elimination because the majority of mercury is rid through stool. Once

the mercury burden is lowered from the intestines, mercury from other

body tissues will more readily migrate into the intestines -- where

chlorella will effectively remove it.

I was fortunate to team up with Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, the world's

leading authority on mercury detoxification, to write a

ground-breaking paper that reviewed evidence supporting amalgam

toxicity and described practical and effective techniques -- like the

use of chlorella -- to facilitate mercury elimination. It was first

published in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine in

March of 2001, click here to read more.

How Does Chlorella Detoxify Your Body?

Chlorella is comprised of a fibrous, indigestible outer shell (20%)

and its inner nutrients (80%). It is the fibrous material that has

been proven to actually bind with heavy metals and pesticides like

PCBs, that can accumulate in our bodies.

A clean bloodstream, with an abundance of red blood cells to carry

oxygen, is necessary to a strong natural defense system. Chlorella's

cleansing action on the bowel and other elimination channels, as well

as its protection of the liver, helps keep the blood clean. Clean

blood assures that metabolic wastes are efficiently carried away from

the tissues.

Will Chlorella Help Iron Overload?

While effective in removing mercury - Chlorella will not do the same

for iron. Chlorella contains iron and will actually raise iron levels.

Iron is potentially toxic because the human body has a limited

capacity to excrete iron - causing it to build up in the body.

Iron is nature's rusting agent, and excess levels of iron in our

bodies is one of the most potent ways that our body becomes oxidized,

or prematurely aged. Iron is a catalyst in the formation of hydroxyl

free radicals. These are the most dangerous and potent free radicals

in the body as they attack cell membranes, fats, proteins and DNA.

Iron is really the anti-antioxidant -- it does the exact opposite of

an antioxidant.

Measuring your iron levels is a very effective way of maintaining your

health. The best way to do this is through a measure of serum ferritin

level in conjunction with total iron binding level. If your levels are

too high, above 150, one way of treating elevated iron levels is by

taking a simple extract from rice bran called phytic acid, or IP6. Not

only is this an inexpensive solution, but also it doesn't require any

prescription.

Chlorella is High in Chlorophyl to Help You Process More Oxygen

Chlorella gets its name from the high amount of chlorophyll it

possesses. Chlorella contains more chlorophyl per gram than any other

plant. Chlorophyl is one of the greatest food substances for cleansing

the bowel and other elimination systems, such as the liver and the blood.

The problem we find here is that food greens contain less than half of

one percent chlorophyll. Alfalfa, from which chlorophyll is

commercially extracted, has only 8 or 9 pounds per ton, about 0.2%

when extracted, and alfalfa is one of the plants highest in

chlorophyll. Commercial liquid chlorophyll often contains only about

1% chlorophyll.

Green algae are the highest sources of chlorophyll in the plant world;

and, of all the green algae studied so far, chlorella is the highest,

often ranging from 3 to 5% pure natural chlorophyll.

Chlorella Helps You Think and Focus More Clearly

Hemoglobin is the protein in our red blood cells that binds with

oxygen and gives blood its red color. Chlorophyll cells are nearly

identical to hemoglobin, with one exception: Chlorophyll has a

magnesium molecule at that center of it while hemoglobin has an iron

molecule at the center of it.

This is important because magnesium is essential for the heart to

function properly. Every time our heart beats, it is utilizing

magnesium to do so.

Chlorophyll is effective against anemia and stimulates the production

of red blood cells in the body. It also helps carry oxygen around the

body and to the brain. This is why chlorella is often called " Brain Food " .

Several researchers have suggested the use of chlorophyll as a medical

therapy for anemia. A great deal of research on the value of

chlorophyl was done in the 1930s. These research reports showed that

chlorophyll has a stimulating effect on the regeneration and growth of

tissue.

Chlorella Will Improve Your Digestive System

Since chlorella has such a high chlorophyll content, people find

chronic bad breath is often eliminated in just a few days on

chlorella. Foul smelling stools are also greatly improved and

chlorophyll has been attributed to relieving constipation.

Chlorella supplements can speed up the rate of cleansing of the bowel,

bloodstream and liver, by supplying plenty of chlorophyll.

Shown To Be Helpful in Fighting Cancer

Interferon is one of our body's greatest natural defenses against

cancer. One of the ways to fight cancer is the use of agents to

stimulate macrophage production and activity. Interferon is a natural

secretion of the body that is thought to be a stimulator of

macrophages and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

Chlorella stimulates the activity of T-cells and macrophages by

increasing interferon levels thus enhancing the immune system's

ability to combat foreign invaders whether they are bacteria, viruses,

chemicals or foreign proteins.

Contains Natural Digestive and other Enzymes

Chlorella contains enzymes such as chlorophyllase and pepsin, which

are digestive enzymes. Enzymes perform a number of important functions

in the body. In fact, you can not even blink without the presence of

enzymes. Chlorella has many different types of enzymes that our bodies

need.

It is essential that any algae you take is NOT freeze dried or

pasteurized. If it is, then you have lost the crucial benefit of

enzymes such as these.

Chlorella Is One Of The Most Scientifically Researched Foods In History!

Click on the link above and you will find abstracts of a few of the

peer reviewed scientific articles documenting the incredible healing

powers of chlorella. I have included a summary of the abstract with

most of the articles.

Chlorella is Alkaline and Helps Balance Your Body's pH

It is important that we maintain a balance body pH of ideally about

7.2-7.4, which is about neutral. However, because of our poor diet of

junk food, fast food, overcooked, processed foods, especially soft

drinks which have a pH of 2.7, most of us are not balanced. The above

foods are several thousand times more acidic than our bodies.

This is important because most diseases start and live and thrive in

an acidic environment and do not live well in an alkaline environment.

Cancer rates have risen steadily until now that fully one third of all

people in the United States will get cancer in their lifetime!

The rise of fast, junk and processed foods match those of rising

cancer rates. Thirty years ago, cancer in children was almost unheard

of. Now they have entire hospital wards given over to children with

cancer. Eliminating processed foods with whole foods like chlorella

will help to virtually eliminate your risk of developing cancer in the

future.

Chlorella Will Give You More Energy

As your body begins to get these pure nutrients that it must have to

function properly, increased vitality and energy usually follow.

However, unlike sugar, caffeine or other " energy pick-me-ups " ,

Chlorella does not lift you up then let you down soon after because

they are not drugs of any sort. Chlorella is whole food nutrition. It

lasts much longer and since it is full of pure nutrients, there is

never a let-me-down or " low feeling " afterward.

Chlorella Will Normalize Your Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure

Experiments have shown that chlorella tends to normalize blood sugar

in cases of hypoglycemia while numerous personal testimonies show that

it also helps control diabetes.

In hypoglycemia, blood sugar is too low, while in diabetes, blood

sugar is too high. Proper levels of blood sugar are necessary for

normal brain function, heart function and energy metabolism, all of

which are crucial in sustaining good health and preventing disease.

For many years now, chlorella has been known to normalize blood

pressure in many documented cases. High blood pressure is one of the

major risk factors in heart attack and stroke, which account for more

fatalities in the US than any other disease. Laboratory experiments

have shown that regular use of chlorella reduces high blood pressure

and prevents strokes in rats.

One must be aware, however, that blood sugar and blood pressure are

primarily related to eating sugar and grains. A rigid application of

my dietary principles will be necessary to address the cause of any

blood pressure or sugar problems. However, chlorella will certainly

help in the process.

Increase Beneficial Good Bacteria in Your Intestine, Eliminate Bad

Breath and Decrease Constipation

The fibrous materials in chlorella will also improve digestion and

promote the growth of beneficial aerobic bacteria in the stomach. This

is something you will notice about chlorella soon after first taking it.

When you eat chlorella the beneficial bacteria in your intestinal

tract, like Lactobacillus, multiplies at four times the normal rate.

This improves your digestion and your body's ability to take in

nutrients greatly. Proper digestion, augmented with the necessary

enzymes, is one of the keys to your great health!

Anti Cancer Properties of Chlorella

Chlorella Stimulates Interferon

Interferon is one of our body's greatest natural defenses against

cancer. One of the ways to fight cancer is the use of agents to

stimulate macrophage production and activity. Interferon is a natural

secretion of the body that is thought to be a stimulator of

macrophages and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

Chlorella stimulates the activity of T-cells and macrophages by

increasing interferon levels thus enhancing the immune system's

ability to combat foreign invaders whether they are bacteria, viruses,

chemicals or foreign proteins.

It thus appears that chlorella cell walls have the ability to fight

cancer cells through interferon production induced from the complex

polysaccharides. Chlorella's unique cell wall is one of the important

factors that sets chlorella apart from other " green " foods.

Chlorella Increases T-Cells and B-Cells

B-Cells and T-cells in the body are active against viruses and cancer.

Macrophages are large cells that surround and digest foreign

substances in the body. They are active against cancer, foreign

proteins and chemicals.

There are a limited number in the human body, therefore limiting the

ability of the body to remove harmful substances from the blood. One

of the ways to fight cancer is the use of agents to stimulate

macrophage production and activity.

Mice that were injected with cancer cells showed a higher resistance

to this challenge if they had been fed chlorella. Other tests showed

that the chlorella growth factor improves resistance to abdominal

tumors while increasing the number of immune cells in the abdominal

cavity. Chlorella promotes cell reproduction, reduces cholesterol and

increases hemoglobin levels. Because of its broad nutritional and

detoxifying profile, Chlorella promotes the repair of bodily organs

and tissues that have been injured or otherwise damaged.

Chlorella Improves Fatigue Associated With Chemotherapy

Chlorella's most improvement is in the white blood cell count. People

diagnosed with cancer suffer from the side effects of

chemotherapy-fatigue. With chemotherapy, the bad cells are killed, but

so are the good cells. The person's white blood cell count drops

dramatically.

Chlorella helps the body to rapidly rebuild the white blood cells to

improve chemotherapy-induced fatigue. Chlorella is especially helpful

when used as part of a broad based individualized nutritionally

oriented physician guided program.

How Much Chlorella Should a Person Take If They Have Cancer?

It is not uncommon for people who have cancer to take as much as 30

grams of chlorella per day. One person with bone cancer showed

tremendous results after 6 months of taking 20 grams of Chlorella per

day. The most positive results appeared in the protein numbers of his

blood work which had all moved into normal range, some as much as

30-40% movement in that time period.

The specific dose and application of chlorella ideally should be

monitored by a nutritionally oriented physician or a certified

clinical nutritionist.

Composition of Chlorella

Chlorella is a Whole Food

Chlorella is a unique single-celled fresh water green algae.

Chlorella's single-cell structure is the key to its uniquely varied

and concentrated supply of vitamins, minerals, protein and other

nutrients. Because chlorella is a pure, whole food, these nutrients

are in the form and balance that nature intended.

What Nutrients Are In Chlorella?

Chlorella contains amino acids (protein), enzymes (including pepsin

for digestion), vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. It contains over

18% Chlorella Growth Factor, high in RNA and DNA, the building blocks

of life. Up to 10% of chlorella can be RNA, while DNA levels can be as

high as 3%.

Isn't Chlorella Just Another Form of Vitamins?

No.

Chlorella is a whole-food, very much unlike most commercial vitamins.

While it contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and enzymes,

chlorella is superior to vitamin supplements in many ways.

Chlorella is natural and the vitamins and minerals in it are

bio-chelated, which means they are naturally wrapped in amino acids so

the body will more readily take them in. Vitamins are nothing more

than an amalgam of concentrates and extracts that have been

artificially stitched together because on paper they look like they

should provide balanced nutrition.

A whole-food such as chlorella provides the body with a stunning

amount of nutrients that are naturally balanced, can NEVER accumulate

in your body and become toxic and therefore are far superior to any

man-made nutritional formula.

Chlorella Is High in Beta Carotene.

Natural beta-carotene is an antioxidant nutrient which is a precursor

of vitamin A. There are literally thousands of scientific studies on

the vitamin A and beta-carotene's role in the immune system and cancer

prevention and treatment. People who develop cancer generally have

lower levels of vitamin A in their blood.

Beta-carotene works synergistically with vitamin E as an antioxidant

to eliminate cancer in its early stages. There is even some research

from Harvard to suggest that algae extracts like chlorella were more

effective than beta-carotene alone in anticancer activity. This makes

perfect sense as one would expect superior results from whole food

products.

How Much Protein Does Chlorella Have?

Chlorella is a complete vegetable source of all amino acids. 60% of

Chlorella is protein, which is in the form of amino acids. Chlorella

contains 18 of 22 known amino acids and is considered a complete

protein, meaning that it has the essential 8 amino acids.

It is a far superior protein source to others such as meat, fish and

eggs because these are secondary protein, meaning that the amino acids

have already been formed into protein to become the flesh of an egg or

another animal. When we eat a food such as meat, our bodies must first

break down the protein into amino acids then reform them into the

proteins that our body needs. This is inefficient and not nearly as

effective as simply taking pure amino acids.

The human body wants to form long complex chains of amino acids into

the tens of thousands of different protein structures the body needs

to perform functions all over the body. However, if one amino acid is

missing, then an incomplete protein will be formed which will not

function as effectively as a complete protein.

There is no other natural source of protein available that provides

such a complete and balanced array of amino acids than green algae

like chlorella.

History of Chlorella

Chlorella was the first form of life with a true nucleus. Blue-green

algae and spirulina lack this nucleus. With plenty of sunlight and

fertile growing conditions, chlorella reproduces itself by cell

division at the rate of 4 new cells every 17-24 hours.

In or near the bodies of water on our planet, there are 25,000 species

of algae which are elementary plants without roots, stems, branches

and leaves. Algae usually contain chlorophyll and green algae are the

simplest green living organisms.

Like other chlorophyll containing plants, algae convert inorganic

chemical elements to organic matter by using light energy and

photosynthesis. They form the first link in the series of organisms

that makes up the Earth's food chain.

Chlorella First Identified Around 1900

Chlorella has been on the earth since the Precambrian period: over 2.5

billion years. However, it was not until the 1890s that chlorella

cells were identified by human eyes under a microscope. It was first

grown in Holland in pure form in the late 1800s.

By the early 1900s, realizing that chlorella consists of 60% protein

and multiplies very fast, scientists in various countries, especially

in Germany, began to research the idea of making food from chlorella.

Although the research was interrupted by the two world wars in Europe,

the enthusiasm for chlorella research carried on. In 1948, a pilot

study at Stanford Research Institute in growing chlorella was

successful. However the study had to be closed due to financial

problems. In the 1950s, the Carnegie Institute took over the study and

they concluded that chlorella could be grown on a commercial scale and

would be a solution to help world hunger.

Initial Interest In Chlorella Was As Food Source

Postwar Japan faced a serious problem: a food shortage. In 1951, the

Rockefeller Foundation and the Japanese government cosponsored Dr.

Hiroshi Tamiya's study at the Tokugawa Biological Institute. Dr.

Tamiya was a pioneer in developing the technology to grow, harvest and

process chlorella on a large commercially-feasible scale.

In 1957, a nonprofit organization called Japan Chlorella Research

Center was founded and the world's largest chlorella culturing pool

was constructed. After that, another organization, Japan Chlorella

Associations, was established with government's financial aid.

The aim was to commercialize chlorella as a food. However, the plans

were scrapped in 2 years because other foods such as rice or wheat had

become more available and chlorella could not compete due to its

higher cost. Another reason chlorella could not be commercialized as a

food at that time was its low digestibility.

Improving Chlorella Digestibility Was Key To Its Widespread Use

Although the naturally tough chlorella cell wall had protected the

valuable nutrients inside the cell for 2.5 billion years, it proved to

be a disadvantage for human consumption. The problem of digestibility

was solved in 1975 when a patented procedure was developed that breaks

down the chlorella cell walls and yields a digestibility rate over 80%.

In the 1960s, the Japanese scientists turned their attention to the

possibilities of chlorella as a promoter of good health. It was found

that chlorella contains an astonishingly wide variety of vitamins and

minerals and other nutrients. Additionally, it has many unknown

factors in nature. One can take vitamins and minerals and still not

get the same effects as with chlorella.

Chlorella Growth Factor

History of Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF)

In the 1950s Dr. Fujimake of the People's Scientific Research Center

in Tokyo, separated a substance from a hot water extract of chlorella

by electrophoresis. He found that hot water extract promoted the

healthy growth of human children as well as young animals.

Because of this growth-promoting effect discovered in the early

experiments with chlorella extract, it was named the chlorella growth

factor (CGF). Besides the growth promoting effect, CGF was later found

to be a powerful natural immune enhancer.

CGF Is Full of Nucleic Acids That Promote Your Optimized Healing

The solution extracted from chlorella was not a simple one. It is a

mixture of all the water-soluble ingredients in chlorella, but is

particularly rich in nucleic acids. CGF is made mostly of nucleic acid

derivatives such as RNA, DNA along with amino acids, vitamins and

minerals whose exact properties have not yet been identified. Up to

10% of chlorella can be RNA, while DNA levels can be as high as 3%.

Chlorella actually has 17 times more RNA than sardines. When we take

chlorella, we are taking the nucleic acids that are a result of

chlorella's rapid growth along with all of the supplemental nutrients

required for chlorella's reproductive growth and the maintenance of

its life cycle. We are taking the whole food.

Nucleic acids in digestion and assimilation are broken down and

combined with other nutrients. That means the DNA and RNA in chlorella

do not directly replace your cellular DNA and RNA, but their amino

acid combinations after digestion and assimilation immediately provide

the " building blocks " for the repair of your own genetic material.

CGF Promotes Growth and Repair Of Your Tissues

Researchers have discovered that CGF is produced during the intense

photosynthesis that enables chlorella to grow so fast. Each cell

multiplies into four new cells about every 20 hours, and CGF promotes

this rapid rate of reproduction.

Chlorella has the ability to quadruple in quantity every 20 hours,

which no other plant or substance on earth can do. It is programmed

into its DNA to do so. It causes children and young animals to grow at

much faster rates and for damaged tissue to increase its healing rate.

Chlorella promotes growth in young people, which is believed to be

related to chlorella's capacity to stimulate the healing process in

the body and stifle many diseases. This is most likely related to its

nucleic acid content because substances in chlorella that accelerate

growth in young people promote repair of damaged tissue in mature

animals and humans.

In children it promotes rapid growth; in adults, it builds immune

systems while promoting rapid tissue healing, both internally and

externally. It also strengthens our body's ability to recover quickly

from strenuous exercise and even disease. The CGF is central to

Chlorella's amazing ability to heal the human body and is what makes

chlorella one of the most powerful whole foods in existence.

Promotes Healing In Your Body

Experiments with microorganisms, animals and children have shown that

CGF promotes faster than normal growth without adverse side effects,

and in adults, it appears to enhance RNA/DNA functions responsible for

production of proteins, enzymes and energy at the cellular level,

stimulating tissue repair and protecting cells against some toxic

substances.

Japanese doctors found that ulcers healed rapidly and that wounds

which were unresponsive to various medications and treatments finally

healed when the patients took oral doses of chlorella and Chlorella

Growth Factor. Experiments have shown that a substance in CGF

stimulates both plant and animal cells to reproduce at a faster rate,

which stimulates healing.

However, exactly what this CGF substance is still remains a deep

mystery. It has hormone-like qualities to it and while it does not

make adults grow faster, it does stimulate tissue repair, even if it

has been ulcerated or damaged and has resisted traditional healing

methods. Chlorella has been used effectively as a topical treatment

for damaged tissue.

Immune Enhancing Sugars Also Present

The sugars of the nucleotides include mannose, rhamnose, arabinose,

glactose and xylose. There is an emerging field of science called

glyco biology that is studying the importance of these sugars in

immune regulation. (One example is Mannatech with their acetylated

mannose products extracted from aloe vera).

Because up to 15% of chlorella is pure genetic material of RNA and

DNA, it has an incredibly high percentage of these immune enhancing

sugars and it may be one of the main reasons contributing to its

astounding health benefits.

Increases Growth of Beneficial Bacteria In Your Colon

Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), unique to chlorella, causes the benign

lactobacillus which is crucial to digestion to multiply at four times

the normal rate and also accelerates the regrowth of damaged tissue.

This promotes rapid growth in children and builds our immune system

perhaps better than any whole-food single nutritional product.

Chlorella Scientific Research

Chlorella is one of the MOST scientifically researched foods in human

history. There are thousands of research papers on Chlorella from

medical institutions, scientific journals and universities. NASA has

determined will one of the first foods grown on the space station when

it is completed. The research done on both of these has come from all

over the world by scientists at universities, private industry and

chlorella manufacturers themselves. Not a single negative aspect of

Chlorella has ever been sited as far as human health is concerned.

Below are some representative literature references to reassure you of

chlorella's thoroughly researched benefits and safety:

Performance of different microalgael species in removing nickel

and zinc from industrial wastewater.

Chong AM, Wong YS

Tam Chemosphere. 2000 Jul;41(1-2):251-7

Experiments were conducted to compare the ability of 11 microgaeal

species in removing nickel and zinc from waste water and found them to

be very effective.

Nutritional supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for

patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a pilot study.

Merchant RE; Carmack CA; Wise CM

Departments of Anatomy and Internal Medicine, Virginia

Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Richmond, VA

23298-0709, USA. rmerchan

Phytother Res 2000 May;14(3):167-73

Each day for 2 months 20 participants consumed 10 grams (10,000

mg) of chlorella. Any amelioration of symptoms was validated and

quantified using semi-objective and subjective outcome measures

systematically administered at clinic visits on days 0, 30 and 60 of

the diet therapy. Eighteen of the 20 patients enrolled completed the 2

month trial. After two months the average pain decrease was 22%.This

decrease was statistically significant. Blood samples taken on each

occasion indicated no significant alterations in serum chemistries,

formed elements, and circulating lymphocyte subsets.

Inhibitory potential of Chlorella vulgaris on mouse skin

papillomagenesis and xenobiotic detoxication system.

Singh A; Singh SP; Bamezai R

Anticancer Res 1999 May-Jun;19(3A):1887-91

The present study assesses the potential of Chlorella vulgaris on

mouse skin cancers, and the role of xenobiotic detoxication system in

modulating the cancer pattern. Topical application of chlorella during

peri-, post- or peri- and post-initiational stages of cancer induction

agents, significantly reduced the cancers. Chlorella treatment alone

or during peri-, post- or peri- and post-initiational stages

significantly elevated the sulfhydryl (-SH) and glutathione

S-transferase (GST) levels in the liver and skin tissues. The results

suggest that topically applied chlorella can prevent skin cancers. The

possible significance of xenobiotic detoxication system in modulating

the cancer pattern is discussed.

Oral administration of a unicellular green algae, Chlorella

vulgaris, prevents stress-induced ulcer.

Tanaka K, Yamada A, Noda K, et al

Planta Med 1997 Oct;63(5):465-6.

Oral administration of dry powder of Chlorella vulgaris showed

clear prophylactic effects in ulcers. Chlorella may prevent ulcer

formation mainly through the " immune-brain-gut " axis and protection of

gastric mucosa by its own characteristics.

Bioregeneration with maltose excreting Chlorella: system concept,

technological development, and experiments.

Wolf L

Adv Space Biol Med 1997;6:255-74

The European Space Agency in the Netherlands studied a small-scale

bioregenerative system to support long-term biological experiments

on-board spacecraft with oxygen, water and food. Core component of

this system were a special photo-bioreactor in which a

maltose-producing strain of the green micro alga Chlorella is cultivated.

Post-exposure radioprotection by Chlorella vulgaris (E-25) in mice.

Singh SP; Tiku AB; Kesavan PC

Indian J Exp Biol 1995 Aug;33(8):612-5

Oral administration of chlorella, 1 hr before or immediately after

exposure to sublethal gamma-rays increased the number of endogenous

spleen colony forming units. The magnitude of radioprotection was

dependent on both, the dose of chlorella fed and the time of

administration. An optimal result was observed when 500 mg/kg body wt.

of C. vulgaris was fed 1 hr before or immediately after irradiation.

Evaluation of radioprotective action of a mutant (E-25) form of

Chlorella vulgaris in mice.

Sarma L; Tiku AB; Kesavan PC; Ogaki M

J Radiat Res (Tokyo) 1993 Dec;34(4):277-84

Investigators examined the role of orally fed Chlorella vulgaris

in modulating the gamma-ray induced chromosomal damage in whole-body

irradiated mice. A significant protection from radiation was observed

in both acute and chronic pretreatments.

Evaluation of radioprotective action of a mutant (E-25) form of

Chlorella vulgaris in mice.

Sarma L; Tiku AB; Kesavan PC; Ogaki M

J Radiat Res (Tokyo) 1993 DEC;34(4):277-84

The possible role of orally fed chlorella in modulating the

gamma-ray induced chromosomal damage in whole-body irradiated mice was

evaluated. Different doses of chlorella were administered either

chronically (once, twice or thrice a day for 28 days) or as single

acute doses before/after irradiation. A significant radiation

protective effect was observed in both acute and chronic

pretreatments, but only at doses above 400 mg/kg body weight.

Microalgae as food and supplement.

Kay RA

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 1991;30(6):555-73.

The microalgae Chlorella and the cyanobacteria Spirulina green

blue algae, are being used as nutrient-dense foods and sources of fine

chemicals. They have significant amounts of lipid, protein,

chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, and unique pigments.

They may also have potent probiotic compounds that enhance health.

Their historical and current use are reviewed in this article.

Effect of chlorella on rats with iron deficient anemia.

Matsuura E; Nemoto T; Hozumi H, et al

Kitasato Arch Exp Med 1991 DEC;64(4):193-204

In order to determine effects of iron deficiency on the living

body, rats were given the iron deficient diet, the complete diet added

with iron, the diet added with 1% chlorella, the diet added with 5%

chlorella, or the diet added with 10% chlorella. For the first 30

days, rats of all groups were given the iron deficiency diet to make

them iron deficient, and were subsequently given the respective diet

during the next 30 days to observe various changes in the conditions

of rats. Following results were obtained. Rats with some chlorella fed

with the diets containing certain amounts of iron rapidly recovered.

Enhanced resistance against Escherichia coli infection by

subcutaneous administration of the hot-water extract of Chlorella

vulgaris in cyclophosphamide-treated mice.

Konishi F; Tanaka K; Kumamoto S, et al

Cancer Immunol Immunother 1990;32(1):1-7

The effects of chlorella vulgaris on the recovery of leukocyte

number and the increase of resistance to bacterial infection were

examined in mice made white cell deficient by cyclophosphamide, an

chemotherapy agent. They were given chlorella (50 mg/kg)

subcutaneously under the skin, every other day from day 1 to day 13

after cyclophosphamide treatment. Chlorella accelerated the recovery

of white blood cells in the mice. The number of pro white blood cells

in the spleen increased rapidly and highly after the administration of

chlorella. Mice given chlorella showed an enhanced resistance against

E. coli infection, irrespective of the timing of challenge. The

bacterial number in cyclophophamide treated mice increased explosively

after inoculation, resulting in death within 24 h. A progressive

elimination of bacteria was observed from 6 h in the peritoneal

cavity, spleen and liver of cyclophosphamide-treated mice given

chlorella. These results indicate that chlorella can be used as a

potent stimulant of nonspecific resistance to infection in neutropenic

mice.

Effect of Chlorella vulgaris extracts on murine cytomegalovirus

infections.

Ibusuki K; Minamishima Y

Nat Immun Cell Growth Regul 1990;9(2):121-8

The host-mediated antiviral effect of chlorella was evaluated in

mice against murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Mice treated

with 10 mg of chlorella days 3 and 1 before virus challenge survived

lethal infection. The protective effect of chlorella was shown by a

decrease in the infectious viruses replicated in the target organs of

chlorella-treated mice. Chlorella also protected mice from

pathological damage to the target organs due to MCMV infection.

The radioprotective effects of aqueous extract from chlorococcal

freshwater algae (Chlorella kessleri) in mice and rats.

Rotkovska D; Vacek A; Bartonickova A

Strahlenther Onkol 1989 Nov;165(11):813-6

In experiments on mice and rats, the effect was studied of a

single administration of chlorella growth. After injection of this

substance the number of haemopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and

spleen of mice (CFUs) increased, as did their survival after

irradiation. Irradiation with a lethal dose of gamma rays 24 hours

after the injection of Ivastimul is survived by a larger number of

treated mice and rats than untreated ones. On the first day after the

administration Ivastimul protects mice against brief and prolonged

action of irradiation. The protective effect of Ivastimul was observed

after intraperitoneal, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration.

Effect of dried, powdered Chlorella vulgaris on experimental

atherosclerosis and alimentary hypercholesterolemia in cholesterol-fed

rabbits.

Sano T; Tanaka Y

Artery 1987;14(2):76-84

The anti-lipidemic action and anti-atherosclerotic action of

dried, powdered chlorella was investigated using male Japanese White

rabbits. A ten-week load of high-cholesterol diet remarkably increased

serum total cholesterol and the beta-lipoprotein cholesterol levels in

serum, causing aortic atheromatous lesion. In the Chlorella group

which was administered a high-cholesterol diet containing 1% powdered

chlorella, increase of total and beta-lipoprotein cholesterol level

was suppressed. Further, the development of aortic atheromatous

lesions was significantly inhibited. Clofibrate used as positive

control in this experiment, did not show any inhibitory effect, either

on the increase in serum lipid level or on the development of aortic

atheromatous lesion.

Protective effect of Chlorella on the hepatic damage induced by

ethionine in rats.

Wang LF; Lin JK; Tung YC

Taiwan I Hsueh Hui Tsa Chih 1979 DEC;78(12):1010-9

Chlorella Growth Factor

Effect of hot water extract of Chlorella vulgaris on cytokine

expression patterns in mice with murine acquired immunodeficiency

syndrome after infection with Listeria monocytogenes.

Hasegawa T, Kimura Y, Hiromatsu K, et al

Immunopharmacology. 1997 Jan;35(3):273-82

Oral administration of chlorella growth factor enhances resistance

to Listeria monocytogenes through an increase of Listeria-specific

cell-mediated immunity in normal mice and mice with mice AIDS. To

uncover the mechanisms whereby chlorella increases the cell-mediated

immunity, we examined the expression patterns of mRNA for cytokines in

normal and MAIDS mice given CVE orally after L. monocytogenes

infection. The expression levels of IL-1 alpha, IL-12, GM-CSF, MIP and

TNF alpha genes were significantly augmented in the peritoneal cells

by oral administration of chlorella for 2 weeks before Listeria

infection. In mice infected with AIDS, oral administration of

chlorella also increased the expression of gamma IFN and IL-12 mRNA in

the spleen after Listeria infection, while it rather reduced the

expression of IL-10 mRNA. These results suggest that chlorella may

preferentially augment THI responses against Listeria via activation

of macrophages to produce IL-12 and enhance host defense against

Listeria infection both in normal and MAIDS mice.

Inhibitory effects of sterols isolated from Chlorella vulgaris on

12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced inflammation and tumor

promotion in mouse skin.

Yasukawa K; Akihisa T; Kanno H, et al

Biol Pharm Bull 1996 Apr;19(4):573-6

Inhibitory activity against cancer induced inflammation in mice

was observed in the extract of chlorella that has chlorella growth factor.

Hot water extracts of Chlorella vulgaris reduce opportunistic

infection with Listeria monocytogenes in C57BL/6 mice infected with

LP-BM5 murine leukemia viruses.

Hasegawa T; Okuda M; Makino M, et al

Int J Immunopharmacol 1995 Jun;17(6):505-12

The bacterial elimination after infection with Listeria

monocytogenes was impaired in mice with murine acquired

immunodeficiency syndrome (MAIDS). Oral administration of chlorella

growth factor restored the capacity of mice with AIDS mice to

eliminate L. monocytogenes. Chlorella appears to be effective in the

treatment of opportunistic infection in retrovirus-induced

immunodeficient patients.

Augmentation of the resistance against Escherichia coli by oral

administration of a hot water extract of Chlorella vulgaris in rats.

Hasegawa T; Tanaka K; Ueno K, et al

Int J Immunopharmacol 1989;11(8):971-6

In previous studies, we demonstrated that chlorella growth factor

improved the resistance against an intraperitoneal infection with

Escherichia coli by its intraperitoneal, intravenous or subcutaneous

administration. The improved resistance appeared to be attributable to

the enhanced activity of white blood cells. In this study, the effect

of oral administration of chlorella against Escherichia coli infection

was examined. Male rats were administered 1000 mg/kg of chlorella

orally for 14 days and challenged with 2.7 x 10(8) Escherichia coli

intraperitoneally. The numbers of living bacteria in the peritoneal

cavity, blood, spleen and liver at 1, 6, and 24 h after the

inoculation were counted. The bacterial numbers increased during 1-6 h

and reached the peak at 6 h in both control and chlorella administered

groups. The bacterial numbers decreased to an undetectable level at 24

h in both groups. In a chlorella administered group, the numbers of

viable bacteria in each organ were remarkably lower than those in a

control group in all organs so far tested. These results form the

basis for the judgment that the degree of effectiveness of bacteria

clearance from the peritoneal cavity shown by oral chlorella

administration may be strong enough to warrant developing this

material as a new type of biological response modifier.

Augmentation of host defense by a unicellular green alga,

Chlorella vulgaris, to Escherichia coli infection.

Tanaka K; Koga T; Konishi F

Infect Immun 1986 Aug;53(2):267-71

Protection against Escherichia coli inoculated intraperitoneally

into mice was enhanced by intraperitoneal, intravenous, or

subcutaneous administration of chlorella growth factor. The enhancing

effect was detected with doses over 2.0 mg/kg and when doses were

administered 1, 4, or 7 days before the infection. The elimination of

bacteria from the spleen of chlorella growth factor treated mice was

increased, and this enhanced elimination may have been related to the

acceleration of superoxide generation and chemokinesis in

polymorphonuclear leucocytes by chlorella growth factor treatment.

Antitumor effect induced by a hot water extract of Chlorella

vulgaris (CE): resistance to Meth-A tumor growth mediated by

CE-induced polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Konishi F; Tanaka K; Himeno K, et al

Cancer Immunol Immunother 1985;19(2):73-8

When chlorella growth factor was injected into the peritoneal

cavity of mice inoculated with tumor cells, the survival times were

strikingly prolonged. Furthermore, peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) rich

in white blood cells obtained from normal mice 24 h after chlorella

growth factor injection exhibited an antitumor effect in a assay using

normal recipients. It was suggested that chlorella growth factor

induced PEC, presumably white blood cell, expressed an antitumor

effect in cooperation with a host- or recipient-derived element(s)

sensitive to irradiation. The antitumor mechanism of chlorella growth

factor may be one of the biological response modifiers.

Augmentation of antitumor resistance by a strain of unicellular

green algae, Chlorella vulgaris.

Tanaka K; Konishi F; Himeno K, et al

Cancer Immunol Immunother 1984;17(2):90-4

Growth of tumor in mice was inhibited significantly by injection

of chlorella growth factor into the tumor or into the subcutaneous

tissue near the tumor. The augmentation of resistance by chlorella

growth factor may require the participation of T cells and

macrophages, since it was abolished or reduced in athymic nude mice or

mice treated with carrageenan, a macrophage blocker. Mice treated with

chlorella growth factor exhibited antigen-specific augmented

resistance against rechallenge with tumor.

Anti Cancer

A water-soluble antitumor glycoprotein from Chlorella vulgaris.

Noda K; Ohno N; Tanaka K, et al

Planta Med 1996 Oct;62(5):423-6

An active substance with antitumor activity (ARS2) was purified

from the culture media of Chlorella vulgaris and found to be a

glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 63,100 amu, as determined by

matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization (MALDI) mass

spectrometry. ARS2 contains 66.9% carbohydrate, mainly D-galactose,

and 35.2% protein. The carbohydrate moiety has a

beta-1,6-D-galactopyranose backbone, as determined by methylation

analysis and 13C-NMR. Apparently, the protein moiety, whose 15 amino

acid sequence at the NH2-terminus, we determined as DVGEAFPTVVDALVA,

is necessary for the antitumor activity, as assessed by

hydrazinolysis, periodate oxidation, and proteolysis.

Protective effect of an acidic glycoprotein obtained from culture

of Chlorella vulgaris against myelosuppression by 5-fluorouracil.

Konishi F; Mitsuyama M; Okuda M, et al

Cancer Immunol Immunother 1996 Jun;42(5):268-74

A protein prepared from a culture of chlorella was examined for

its protective effect on chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression

and infections in mice. Subcutaneous administration of chlorella

greatly reduced the mortality of non-tumor-bearing mice given a high

dose of chemotherapy agent 5FU, and could increase the LD50 value of

5FU for these mice. After 5FU treatment, infections developed probably

as a result of the impairment of the host defense system. Chlorella

reduced the incidence of infections and this effect was attributable

to the acceleration of recovery from 5FU-induced bone marrow

suppression. When tumor-bearing mice were given chlorella during

treatment with 5FU, chlorella prolonged the survival of mice without

affecting the antitumor activity of 5FU. In addition, chlorella was

itself shown to exert an antitumor effect. These results suggested

that chlorella may be beneficial for the reduction of side-effects in

cancer chemotherapy without affecting the antitumor activity of the

chemotherapeutic agent.

Oral administration of Chlorella vulgaris augments concomitant

antitumor immunity.

Tanaka K; Tomita Y; Tsuruta M, et al

Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1990;12(2):277-91

Chlorella or chlorella factor extract were administered orally to

tumor bearing mice. When two mice were fed daily with 10% dried powder

of chlorella containing diet before and after tumor inoculation, the

growth of rechallenged tumor was significantly suppressed in an

antigen-specific manner.

Inhibitory effects of sterols isolated from Chlorella vulgaris on

12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced inflammation and tumor

promotion in mouse skin.

Yasukawa K; Akihisa T; Kanno H, et al

Biol Pharm Bull 1996 APR;19(4):573-6