Nutrients From The Sea

With the ever-growing amount of pollution and toxins in our day-to-day life I've started trying to do whatever small steps I can to detoxify my body throughout the week. Chlorella is one of my favourite methods for this.

What is Chlorella?

Aside from its detoxifying properties, it contains many necessary nutrients that a lot of the current soil used for farming is becoming pretty devoid of. We used to absorb a lot of the minerals the body needs to thrive through fresh produce, grown in soil that had a lot of nutrients to offer. Sadly, current farming practices and tilling of our soil are making it much harder to get what we need out of our fruit and vegetable supply.

The cells of chlorella contain protein, essential amino acids, polysaccharides, pigments, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and more — meaning chlorella (microalga, green algae) is a bit of a superfood.

You can take chlorella in powdered form and dilute it into beverages — although I personally find the taste unpleasant, so I'd recommend just drinking it in a glass of warm water rather than ruining a tasty smoothie. You can also take it in capsule form, which is what I started doing. It's effortless and quick for a morning, afternoon and evening routine.

Chlorella can be found online and at most health food or vitamin stores locally. When reading labels, ensure the concentration is high enough, without a lot of added fillers or additives. Look at reviews to confirm quality and effectiveness.

Potential Benefits of Chlorella

• Blood sugar support — lowers blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of type II diabetes.
• Liver & kidney protection — helps protect these vital detox organs.
• Cardiovascular health — may help prevent cardiovascular disease.
• Heavy metal detox — contains chlorophyll which binds toxins and helps eliminate chemical toxins and heavy metals from the body.
• Brain development — supports healthy cognitive function.
• Sustainable protein — contains protein more easily digested than animal or soy sources, and requires far less land to produce commercially.
• 18 amino acids — helps break down food, grow and repair body tissue, make hormones, boost the immune system, and support muscle growth.
• Powerful polysaccharides — the main active ingredient, with antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-cholesterol and anti-tumour activities.
• High protein, low calorie — a healthy addition to most people's diets.

Other Sea Algae Worth Knowing

Now that I've gone through some of the huge benefits of chlorella, let's talk about a few of my other favourite sea algae and what they have to offer.

Spirulina

Spirulina is another great example of a powerful sea algae. It contains lots of antioxidants, is super high in protein, and has carotenoids and different vitamins and minerals. You can actually purchase many blends of chlorella and spirulina together in one supplement or powder.

Sea Moss

Sea moss is one of my personal obsessions to add to a morning smoothie. It's a red algae that contains iodine, potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. You soak the dried moss in purified water overnight, then blend it to form a gel that keeps in the fridge for a few weeks. It aids in digestion and may also help support skin health. You can add it to soups or stews, or even make a hydrating face mask with its gel.

Nori

Often known for being used in sushi rolls, nori is also quite high in minerals such as iodine, which aids in thyroid function, and is a good source of fibre for digestion. I love buying nori paper and making little wraps with canned tuna, hummus, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and sriracha — an easy, protein, mineral and omega-3 packed snack. It's also a great addition to bowls of ramen or Asian rice dishes.

Don't hesitate to contact me and set up a free consult call to determine if you'd like to work one on one with me and come up with a meal and supplement plan curated for your personal health goals and needs.