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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