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Chlorella
FACTS
Chlorella
(Chlorella pyrenoidosa) is an edible, single-celled
plant that lives in fresh water. 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 a supplement that
can help remove or "detoxify" harmful
chemicals, heavy metals, and pollutants from the
body. Natural healers recommend chlorella for
non-specific complaints such as fatigue and for
anyone who generally wants to feel stronger or
healthier. It is also used by alternative physicians
as part of an overall cancer treatment program.
Japanese
researchers recently discovered that chlorella
can raise blood levels of the protein albumin.
Albumin is one of the body's most powerful antioxidants
as well as its main transport system, carrying
vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, hormones, and
other essential substances throughout the body.
Albumin is also instrumental in carrying toxins
away from cells and into the liver, where they
are broken down and later excreted from the body.
Without adequate levels of albumin, the kidneys,
liver, and other vital organs cannot do their
jobs as well, and the immune system cannot function
as efficiently. Numerous studies have documented
that a low albumin level is a marker for serious
illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. This
finding id underscored by a groundbreaking British
Heart study, published in The Lancet, in which
7,735 middle-aged men were monitored for more
than nine years. The researchers found that the
men with the lowest serum albumin levels had the
highest rate of death from many different causes,
including heart disease. Our levels of serum albumin
steadily decline as we age-another indication
that albumin may play a role in keeping our bodies
healthy, strong and youthful. Albumin levels are
also lower than normal in smokers. Not surprisingly
researchers believe that boosting albumin levels
will have a salutary effect. They point to test-tube
studies confirming that raising albumin levels
can both prevent cancerous changes and extend
the life span of human cells. Although no such
studies have been done on humans, it makes sense
that raising albumin levels would help restore
health.
POSSIBLE
BENEFITS
Helps
cleanse the body of toxins.
Boosts
albumin levels.
THE
RIGHT AMOUNT
Take
up to six 500-mg. tablets daily.
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