Chlorella detoxifies the body by removing mercury and other heavy metals

November 2, 2009

Featured in The Brest Years in Life Health News

Friday, October 30, 2009 by: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor

(NaturalNews)

There's mercury everywhere around us, it seems. It's in the food

(seafood), the medicines (vaccines) and even the lights (compact

fluorescent lights). And that doesn't even cover mercury fillings still used by crazed dentists who insist mercury is "perfectly safe" to chew on!

All the sane people have already figured out that mercury is highly toxic to human health, but how do you get mercury out of your body once you've ingested it?

That's where chlorella enters the picture. This amazing microalgae superfood binds to mercury

and helps remove it from your body, safely and naturally. It doesn't

get 100% of the mercury out (chelation can help with that), but it does

an amazingly good job for a natural, food-based dietary supplement.

I've taken chlorella for over a decade. It's one of the mainstays of my nutritional supplementation (which also includes spirulina and astaxanthin). Learn more about chlorella in this collection of supporting quotes we've compiled for you.

Removing heavy metals with chlorella

Chlorella is a single-cell, fresh water algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, chlorella growth factor, and other beneficial substances. It is about the size of a human erythrocyte (red blood cell) or about 2-8 microns in diameter. Chlorella is high in chlorophyll, giving it a rich green color. For many years, chlorella has been accepted as a detoxifier, and it is commonly used in colon cleansing

regimes. Chlorella appears to bind to heavy metals as well as other

toxic substances in the bowel and help with the detoxification process.

- Disease Prevention and Treatment by The Life Extension Editorial Staff

There are several species of chlorella. Those most commonly used in nutritional supplements

are Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Chlorella is rich in

protein. In addition, it is rich in chlorophyll, carotenoids, such as

astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, flavoxanthin, loraxanthin, neoxanthin and

violaxanthin. Chlorella also contains the xanthophyll, echinenone.

- PDR for Nutritional Supplements by Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik

In rats, chlorella was found to promote the excretion of dioxin in the

feces. The mechanism of this action is unknown. The pharmacokinetics of

chlorella in humans have not been studied. However, the proteins,

lipids and carbohydrates in chlorella should be digested, absorbed and

metabolized by normal physiological processes. A chlorella extract has

demonstrated anti-tumor and anti-metastic effects in animal

experiments. Chlorella has shown some experimental anti-atherogenic

activity and some radioprotective and chemo-detoxifying effects.

- PDR for Nutritional Supplements by Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik

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. It is the fibrous material in

chlorella that has been shown to bind with heavy metals and pesticides

like PCBs that can accumulate in our bodies. Chlorella traps toxic

metals in the GI tract and acts as an ion exchange resin. Chlorella is

a species of unicellular fresh water algae that has been shown to possess detoxifying properties enabling it to assist or support the human detoxification system.

- Transdermal Magnesium Therapy by Mark Sircus

Chlorella is a single-celled algae, used as a detoxifier, immune stimulator, and excellent source of general nutrition.

Most forms of chlorella have been treated by cracking the outer cell

wall, to aid in its digestibility. Chlorella is most commonly used to

chelate, or remove heavy metals from the bloodstream.

- The Complete Master Cleanse: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing the Benefits of The Lemonade Diet by Tom Woloshyn

In a report to the General Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan on an early study in animals, Ichimura (1973) reported that chlorella (8 grams daily) increased elimination of cadmium:

threefold in feces and sevenfold in urine. Other researchers from Japan

showed that chlorella helped detoxify uranium and lead (Horikoshi et

al. 1979). Chlorella has detoxification potential for similar compounds, such as dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls. (PCBs are chemical compounds used in plastics, insulation, and flame retardants, with potential to cause cancer and liver damage.)

- Disease Prevention and Treatment by The Life Extension Editorial Staff

Chlorella is useful for wounds, bed sores, inflamed cervix, pyorrhea,

hangovers, constipation, colds, skin disorders, eczema, psoriasis, cold

sores, aches and pain. Sun Chlorella Company disintegrates Chlorella's

hardy cell walls 95% for 80% absorption, its cell wall fibers dispersed

for proficient waste-toxin colon cleansing. May improve arthritis

stiffness, musculoskeletal pain, neck and shoulders, etc. Chlorella

contains 2-3% Chlorophyll, one of the highest natural sources, the best

tissue-cleansing detoxifier and colon cleanser.

- Anti-Aging Manual: The Encyclopedia of Natural Health by Joseph E. Mario

So complete is this wonder-food that, when consuming nothing other than

chlorella, human life can be sustained for an extended period. This was

discovered by NASA when the space agency was looking at ways to sustain

astronauts for space travel. Chlorella's detoxification properties,

another key component of the plant, has recently garnered attention in

the West. As we know all too well, our air and water quality is

declining, and there really is no practical way to avoid our exposure

to it. I choose chlorella as a daily body detoxifier.

- The Thrive Diet: The Whole Food Way to Lose Weight, Reduce Stress, and Stay Healthy for Life by Brendan Brazier

Blue-green algae, chlorella, and spirulina are nutrient-rich foods

that may supply physical and mental energy. For people who begin with

transition diets, a specialized nutrient program may help neutralize toxins

and support elimination. With weight loss (for detoxers who are

overweight), toxins stored in the fat will need to be mobilized and

cleared - more water, fiber, and antioxidant

nutrients can help handle this. The supplement program used for general

detoxification (with additional support to reduce nutrient deficiency

during detox) is outlined in the table at the end of this chapter.

- The New Detox Diet: The Complete Guide for Lifelong Vitality With Recipes, Menus, and Detox Plans by Elson M. Haas, M.D.

Chlorella Description: Chlorella is a blue-green algae whole food supplement. It contains more than twenty different vitamins and minerals and is a rich source of amino acids, iron, and chlorophyll. It is commonly used as a daily detoxification supplement.

- Prescription

for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with

Natural Remedies Including Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements,

Bodywork, and More by James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.

Studies in Japan have shown that chlorella increases the excretion of

cadmium from victims of cadmium poisoning. Chlorella contains many

nutrients, especially amino acids, which support mental and physical

energy and detoxification. Powdered chlorella is available at health food stores. Start by adding just one teaspoon to your smoothies and then add more if you like the flavor.

- The New Detox Diet: The Complete Guide for Lifelong Vitality With Recipes, Menus, and Detox Plans by Elson M. Haas, M.D.

Some green formulas contain chlorella, which is rich in chlorophyll, protein, vitamins,

minerals, and is one of the richest sources of nutrients on the planet.

Chlorella belongs to the eukaryotic family of algae which means

"visible nuclei." It is a small single-celled plant that grows in fresh

water. Chlorella means "small green leaf." Spirulina is a blue-green

algae and may be among the oldest plant forms on earth. It is rich in phytonutrients, which significantly boost the immune system. It also has carotenoid antioxidants, which reduce the risk of cancer and help with detoxifying the body.

- Defeat Cancer by Gregory, A. Gore

These two superfoods spirulina and chlorella have no toxins and are

rich in phytonutrients such as phycocyanin, polysaccharides, and

sulfo-lipids. Phytonutrients enhance the immune system and help cut the

risk of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Chlorella is a super healthy food

that helps detoxify the body of heavy metals that have accumulated over

a lifetime. Even small amounts of this plant can help the body repair

DNA and give you much more needed energy. Chlorella and spirulina

should definitely become part of your diet.

- Defeat Cancer by Gregory, A. Gore

Characterized as a "green food," a group of food products derived from

other microalgae, chlorella is packed with important phytochemicals

that have unique disease-fighting properties, as well as amino acids,

vitamins, and minerals. Widely used in Japan, chlorella is touted as

the supplement that can help remove or "detoxify" harmful chemicals,

heavy metals, and pollutants from the body. Natural healers recommend

chlorella for nonspecific complaints such as fatigue and for anyone who

generally wants to feel stronger or healthier.

- Earl

Mindell's Supplement Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to Hundreds of NEW

Natural Products that Will Help You Live Longer, Look Better, Stay

Heathier, ... and Much More! by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.

Algae, such as spirulina and chlorella, are good for kids because they

have a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals, are high in easily

digestible protein (contain all eight essential amino acids) and

chlorophyll (chlorella is the richest known source of chlorophyll on

earth), and are easy to get down. They are both nutritive and

detoxifying. They can be bought in powder form at the health-food

store. They can be given in doses of a teaspoon a day, stirred into

liquid. (They will turn any liquid green, which may either disturb or

delight your child.

- Herbal Defense by Robyn Landis

It is virtually a complete food. Chlorella strengthens the immune

system, promotes bowel health, helps to detoxify the body, alleviates

peptic and duodenal ulcers, fights infection, and helps to counteract

fatigue and mood swings associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and

perimenopause. It has also been shown to protect against the effects of

ultraviolet radiation. Because it has a strong cell wall, which makes

it difficult to access its nutrients, chlorella requires factory

processing to make it effective.

- Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

A greens drink containing super green foods, such as chlorella, spirulina, wheat

grass, and others, supports detoxification. Take daily, as directed on

the container. Probiotic supplements are important for optimal immune

function and for digestion and detoxification. Take a product

containing a daily total of at least 4 billion active organisms.

- Prescription

for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with

Natural Remedies Including Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements,

Bodywork, and More by James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.

It is noted for a property called Chlorella Growth Factor which gives

it the ability to promote tissue repair and growth. It is readily

digestible and is a very suitable alkaline food for all ages, from

infants to the elderly. Chlorella is particularly valuable for its

ability to remove modern-day toxins from our bodies. It is a powerful,

alkaline food-source antioxidant, and detoxifier of heavy metals,

chemicals, pesticides, and insecticides.

- Conscious Health: A Complete Guide to Wellness Through Natural Means by Ron Garner

Special chlorophyll foods such as green barley, chlorella, spirulina,

or blue-green algae may enhance vitality and purification.

Occasionally, some mineral support (especially potassium, calcium, magnesium,

with vitamin C) in powdered or liquid forms helps prevent cramps or

adds support during an extended fast. Some people even use amino-acid

or other vitamin powders. These supplemental nutrients are really best

used when consumed with foods.

- The New Detox Diet: The Complete Guide for Lifelong Vitality With Recipes, Menus, and Detox Plans by Elson M. Haas, M.D.

Green drinks that contain spirulina and chlorella are good for people

with blood-sugar problems as they contain a high amount of protein.

Some people need to build up the amount of juice they are drinking

gradually, as it may cause detoxing reactions such as skin eruptions,

headaches, or digestive upset. Make sure to use organic fruits and

vegetables whenever possible, and wash the foods thoroughly before juicing. Remove seeds and pits before juicing - particularly apple seeds, which contain the poisonous substance cyanide. Do not juice carrot tops, which contain toxic substances.

- The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies by Mark Stengler, N.D.

Since 1 couldn't afford $9,000 for those treatments, I intensified my

detoxification program by taking in more wheatgrass, the sea vegetable

chlorella and cilantro, reputed to be a good heavy metal chelator.

Fasting is also effective at reducing the body's toxic burden. Third,

make sure you get enough sleep. Studies show that people who don't

sleep enough have intensified appetites due to a lack of the hormone

leptin. I have also found coconut oil or butter to be extremely helpful in burning fat. Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids, or triglycerides (MCTs).

- The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies by Mark Stengler, N.D.

November 3, 2009

A person who, according to Tibetan medicine, is deficient in energy and heat can require warming foods and spices. The algae is cooling.

Too much cooling foods and raw foods will worsen their imbalance, damage their digestion and perhaps their liver. A person who has a problem from excess of rich food, alcohol and drugs, will be most benefitted by raw foods and cooling foods like the algae, until they reach a healthy condition, when they should then add more cooked food.

So someone who has weakness, pallor, low voice, low energy. and feels cold, would have to take in more warming substances to counteract and exceed the cooling caused by use of algae.