Tag: Essential Amino Acids

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My Experience with Chlorella




My latest health food supplement is Chlorella. I have heard of Chlorella for about a year now and started looking around for it and reading up about it for the last couple months. Finally a couple of weeks ago I picked up bottle of 150 tablet of 500mg of Chlorella.

If you know nothing about it, Chlorella is a single cell fresh water algae that is sold as tablets or just powder. There are a lot of reasons that people are taking it these days that I will point out below but most important probably is what Chlorella contains. Although popular as a supplement here in North America Chlorella is actually used as a food source in Japan.

What is in Chlorella?

chlorellaChlorella is It is an attractive potential food source because it is high in protein and other essential nutrients; when dried, it is about 45% protein, 20% fat, 20% carbohydrate, 5% fibre, and 10% minerals and vitamins.

Chorella contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. as well as the minerals magnesium, potassium, iron and calcium. Also Chlorella has a balance of all the essential amino acids as well as being really rich in Chlorophyll.

For most people the initial dose of Chlorella as a supplement is about 1 and a half grams a day for the first week and then increasing that to about 3 grams a day after the initial week.

Why take Chlorella?

When I first heard about Chlorella I ws a little surprised at the lack of claims about this algae. It seeme that people would jut say that it was good, it gave them energy, it was a complete food, and that it was a vegetarian option for protein.

I guess all of this is true but there are also some great anecdotal and scientific evidence that this is indeed the newest popular superfood because it is linked to such great healing claims.  The main reason I have wanted to take this superfood is for the detoxification benefits. I figure always that the cleaner and more efficient your body is then the better it will work for you.

Here are some of the claims with links to them as to why Chlorella is really a great superfood to add to your diet.

Detoxification – Chlorella has an amazing ability to bind with toxins like chemicals and heavy metals, and move them swiftly out of the body.


Digestion – Chlorella promotes the production of healthy flora, bacteria and probiotics throughout the digestive system. This is essential for good digestion and overall health, and also makes chlorella effective for fighting candida and yeast

Cancer – Chlorella is known for its remarkable cancer-fighting benefits, possibly because it is rich in natural carotenoids, which can prevent oxidation

Fibromyalgia – Many have reported chlorella reduces pain associated with fibromyalgia. In one study

Heart Disease – Studies have demonstrated that chlorella can improve triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, and may also benefit those with high blood pressure

My Chlorella Experience So Far

I have now been taking Chlorella for about two weeks now and it seems to be fine. One of the problems that you run into in the first week are “Cleansing like symptoms” by that I mean some diarrhea, lots of gas and bloating, but no other real problems. No hot flushes or anything.

This week has been good. I feel like my energy is up but the trouble with any natural food supplement is that you hae no idea if it is the pill or the lifestyle changes that you are doing that are helping you or hurting you. I can not tell if I am losing any heavy metals out of my system but the fact is that I seem to feel quite good lately and I will have to wait a few weeks to see if there are any good effects from the Chlorella.

One thing that seems to be critically important when shopping for Chlorella is to make sure that it has broken cell walls. Chlorella is a single cell algae but the cell wall is very hard and is very hard for your body to break down and use so making sure that it is taken care of for you is important to get the health benefits.

So as far as whether you should be taking this superfood or not, I think the jury is still out in my house. I know that any kind of pure food is going to help anyone but the fact is that it is far better if you eat a non-clean diet to straighten that our first.

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables as well as drinking lots of water, and of course avoiding processed foods as much as possible are going to make a bigger difference to your health and lifestyle. But, if you are interested in trying Chlorella out I hae looked around and it seems to be about $30 for a months supply of Chlorella pills.

If you do end up trying Chlorella or if you have used it in the past then post a quick comment. I would love to hear what other people have to say about it.


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Spirulina is a Green Superfood for Super Health



Without nutritious food, humans wouldn’t have the energy to live. The body breaks food into molecules called nutrients, which are the chemical compounds responsible for carrying out thousands of functions within our cells, including building bone, strengthening immunity to disease and healing tissue. For our systems to function properly, a wide variety of nutrients are needed. The macro-nutrients are proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The micro-nutrients are vitamins and minerals. And then, of course, there’s water, which makes all chemical reactions possible.

If our diets are deficient in any of these vital nutrients, our bodies can go on living but will not function optimally.

Green superfoods are algaes and cereal grasses – spirulina, chlorella, kelp, barley grass, wheatgrass and alfalfa – that are super-charged with nutrients. They’re available in powdered form to be used as dietary supplements and are packaged both individually and in combinations. One spoonful per day can give you as much nutrition as the recommended five daily servings of vegetables.

Chlorella and spirulina for protein

Vegetarians often have trouble incorporating enough protein into their diets. Animal protein has all of the essential amino acids, but plant proteins tend to be incomplete – they usually require careful combining to get all the necessary protein. One extraordinary characteristic of spirulina and chlorella is their high protein content. Both of these green superfoods contain all eight essential amino acids.

Green superfoods deliver vitamins

Thirteen chemical substances comprise vitamins: the water-soluble types are vitamin C plus eight types of B vitamin. The fat-soluble types are vitamins A, D, E and K. Vitamins abound in green superfoods.

Green superfoods deliver minerals

Minerals are inorganic substances that come from the soil. We absorb them through food and drink. For good health, we need sufficient quantities of sixteen minerals– the macro-minerals: calcium, phosphorous and magnesium; the trace minerals: chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, sulfur and zinc; and the electrolytes: chloride, potassium and sodium.

Spirulina has high levels of potassium, making it the ideal choice for boosting energy. It also contains all the macro-minerals and six of the trace minerals. Like spirulina, kelp contains all of the macro-nutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrate), vitamins B C, all of the macro-minerals and several of the trace minerals. Additionally, it is high in iodine, ensuring health of the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands.

Green superfoods help detox

Periodic internal cleansing is required to counteract the harmful effects of the Standard American Diet (SAD), which can leave your system clogged and sluggish. Chlorella and wheatgrass are high in chlorophyll, which is most useful in the process of detoxification. It also acts as a deodorant from the inside-out, reducing body odor and bad breath.

Green superfoods balance pH

Cooked and processed foods and popular beverages such as tea, coffee, alcohol and soft drinks, will create acid conditions in your bloodstream and tissue. An acidic system is the ideal breeding ground for mold, bacteria and fungus. Green superfoods create an alkaline environment, which can help thwart arthritis and heart disease, regulate blood sugar, reverse digestive problems and improve joint mobility. Barley grass is especially good as an alkalizing agent.

Green superfoods help control cholesterol

Alfalfa positively affects cholesterol levels. It acts as a magnet for LDL or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, preventing it from lingering in the bloodstream. This is due to alfalfa’s high fiber content and unique chemical make-up. At the same time, it does not reduce levels of HDL or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is beneficial.

Other benefits of green superfoods:

  • Optimal liver function
  • Neutralization of heavy metals and irradiation
  • Stimulation of the immune system
  • Healthy skin and hair
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Healthy digestion
  • Contain essential fatty acids

Using green superfoods is easy

Enhancing your nutrient intake is as simple as mixing a couple spoonfuls of chlorella with spirulina powder or any other green food to salad dressings, juices, water or soup.

Some special conditions preclude the use of these nutrient-packed supplements. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and certain prescription medications are contra-indicators.

Super health the natural way

Whole foods will always be superior to synthetic vitamins because their parts work synergistically, delivering compounds that cannot be reproduced in the artificial setting of a laboratory. Taken in combination or separately, green superfoods are easily absorbed by the body and are rich in the nutrients and enzymes needed for super health.

About the Author

Tom Hines, co-owner of NutritionGeeks.com (MN #1 Now Foods sports supplement retailer), has been working in the nutrition industry since 1997, is a competitive powerlifter, lives with his wife Netti and three boys TJ, Grady and Brock on the prairie in west central Minnesota, spends his leisure time coaching youth wrestling, working with his horses and being play toy #1 for his boys.

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Healthy Vegetarian Recipes



Vegetarians do not eat meat but it does not mean that their meals are bland and tasteless. Vegetarian recipes are not only healthy but they are also flavorful. If you try using fresh vegetables in your main courses more often you will realize that a vegetarian meal will make a healthy, delicious difference in your diet. Healthy vegetarian recipes can be found everywhere on the internet.
Vegetarian recipes are often economical. A balanced vegetarian diet provides all the essential nutrients that the human body requires.

Because vegetarian meals are often low-calorie, they help keep the weight down naturally. Vegetarians rarely suffer from illnesses linked to fat consumption.

Because of the health benefits of vegetarian recipes, more and more people are becoming vegetarians. People who eat vegetables are less likely to be obese or suffer from heart disease, kidney diseases, or diabetes. Vegetarians have lower blood pressure and fewer incidents of digestive tract disorders.

Getting the Right Amount of Nutrients

Contrary to what many people believe, meat and fish are not the only sources of protein. Healthy vegetarian recipes can also provide all the essential amino acids that the body needs. Rice and beans, macaroni and cheese, bean-vegetable chili with tortillas, and cheese rolled in chopped nuts are just a few vegetarian recipes that provide protein and other nutrients.

Citrus fruits, peppers, melons, cabbage and strawberries are good sources of Vitamin C. Vegetarians take in calcium from soy milk, almonds, artichoke, broccoli, carrots, kale, peanuts, spinach, lima beans and peas.

Getting enough iron can be tough for vegetarians, but there are vegetarian foods that are rich in iron including Swiss chard, lima beans, whole grains, spinach, lentils, blackstrap molasses, quinoa, and tofu. Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron and must be included in a vegetarian diet.
A Healthy Vegetarian Dinner Recipe

Once you’ve tasted this Homemade Black Bean Burger recipe, you’ll never want to eat frozen veggie burgers again.

Ingredients:

? 1 (16 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

? 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces

? 1/2 onion, cut into wedges

? 3 cloves garlic, peeled

? 1 egg

? 1 tablespoon chili powder

? 1 tablespoon cumin

? 1 teaspoon hot sauce

? 1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions:

1. If grilling, preheat grill. If baking, preheat oven to 375F and lightly oil a baking sheet.

2. In a bowl, mash black beans with a fork until pasty.

3. In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, garlic and onion. Stir the chopped vegetables into the mashed beans.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the egg, chili powder, cumin and hot sauce.

5. Add the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Add the bread crumbs and mix until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture and form into four patties.

6. If grilling, place patties on a foil and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet. Bake about 10 minutes on each side.

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