Superfoods - Microalgae: Spirulina and Chlorella

Question 1

Microalgae: description

Answer 1

Description: edible microalgae (phytoplankton) are classified as mostly freshwater, single celled photosynthesising algae or bacteria:
* Blue–green algae: freshwater Cyanobacteria (not an algae) Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) wild blue– green algae
* Spirulina: Blue-green spiral shaped Cyanobacteria
* Chlorella: Single-celled fresh water green algae

Question 2

Microalgae: Energetics

Answer 2

Energetics: Cooling, moistens dryness

Question 3

Microalgae: Composition

Answer 3

Composition: Particularly high in chlorophyll, iron, and 50-70% complete protein. Chlorella is an excellent source of bio-available B12 and vit D2. There is a notable absence of iodine in Chlorella

Question 4

Spirulina: description

Answer 4

Description:
* Spiral-shaped, blue-green algae able to grow in both fresh and salt water.
* Lacks cellulose walls so can be easily digested.
* Two key species: Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima I cultivated worldwide

Question 5

Spirulina: energetics

Answer 5

Energetics: For Yin deficiency or excess heat

Question 6

Spirulina: composition

Answer 6

Competition:
* Highly nutritious.
* 60 to 70% highly bioavailable protein; contains all the essential amino acids.
* Rich in vitamin B1, B2, B3, A, K; beta-carotene, copper, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phycocyanin, high in chlorophyll
Note: contains analogues of vitamin B12 which are not absorbed in the gut; not a reliable source of vitamin B12 for vegans
Phycocyanin = a pigment finding protein that exerts and anti-cancer activity

Question 7

Spirulina:
Benefits & clinical applications

Answer 7

• Detoxification
• Immune enhancing
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-cancer
• Exercise performance
• Anti-allergic effects
• Anti-hypertensive
• Positive effect on blood lipids

Question 8

Spirulina: detoxification

Answer 8

Acts as an accumulator (biosorbent) of heavy minerals due to ‘ion–exchange binding’. Can bind with heavy metals including cadmium, arsenic, lead and mercury
Biosorbent = a biomass that allows a contaminant to bind to it’s cellular structure

Question 9

Spirulina: immune enhancing

Answer 9

Notable increases it Natural killer cell activity and has anti-viral properties

Question 10

Spirulina: anti-inflammatory

Answer 10

Reduces the production of pro inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the NF-kB pathway. Phycocyanin in spirulina also has COX-2 inhibiting effects.

Question 11

Spirulina: anti-cancer

Answer 11

Phycocyanin (a protein extract from spirulina) has anti-cancer properties. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, immune boosting and anti-proliferative effects.

Question 12

Spirulina: exercise performance

Answer 12

Increases endurance, whilst the higher amino acid content supports muscle hypertrophy

Question 13

Spirulina: anti- allergic effects

Answer 13

Particularly in relation to an allergic rhinitis where the inhibition of histamine from mast cells has been observed

Question 14

Spirulina: Anti-hypertensive

Answer 14

Reduces elevated BP; an effect associated with raised nitric oxide production (= vasodilation), High antioxidant protection and lower inflammation

Question 15

Spirulina: positive effect on blood lipids

Answer 15

Lowers LDL & VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides, whilst increasing HDL

Question 16

Spirulina: usage

Answer 16

Smoothies, juices, salad dressings. Has a strong taste, introduce at small amounts

Question 17

Spirulina: dosage

Answer 17

Suggested one to 8 g per day (1 tbsp = 7g)

Question 18

Spirulina: adverse effects

Answer 18

May include diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence and oedema. Generally occurs at larger doses and is not regarded as clinically significant

Question 19

Spirulina: metals

Answer 19

Caution: Ensure reputable source (freshwater organic sources are preferable e.g. from Hawaii); possible safety issues relate to contamination with heavy metals or rarely, the toxic blue-green algae Microcystis aeruginosa (hepatotoxic).

Spirulina know is regarded as safe, with no contraindication

Question 20

Chlorella: description

Answer 20

A single-celled green algae, nutritionally similar to spirulina but in contrast, has tough cellulose walls and requires pulverising to increase availability of the micronutrients within chlorella.

Question 21

Chlorella: energetics

Answer 21

Four Yin deficiency and excess heat

Question 22

Chlorella: composition

Answer 22

• Contains highest amount of chlorophyll of any known plant
• 60% by available protein
• Contains EFAs, very high in vitamin D2, good source of beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12 as well as magnesium, iron, phosphorus and zinc.
• In contrast to spirulina, chlorella contains bioavailable B12 (205-223mcg per 100 g).
• Safe for people on Thyroxine, unlike seaweed
  Pulverised = broken into small particles

Question 23

Chlorella:
Benefits & clinical applications

Answer 23

• Heavy metal chelator
• Detoxification
• Anti-diabetic
• Iron (and B12) deficiency
• Cancer treatment
• Oestrogen metabolism
• Immune support

Question 24

Chlorella:
Heavy metal chelator

Answer 24

Able to bioaccumulate heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic. Possibly able to remove mercury from sites such as the brain and kidneys

Question 25

Chlorella: detoxification

Answer 25

Of radioactive particles after radioactive treatment

Question 26

Chlorella: anti-diabetic

Answer 26

• Improve glycaemic control by influencing genes involved in insulin signaling and glucose uptake (GLUT4)
• Can be used in cases of insulin resistance
  GLUT4 = cell membrane glucose transporter

Question 27

Chlorella: Iron (and B12) deficiency

Answer 27

Useful for iron deficiency anaemia

Question 28

Chlorella:
Cancer treatment

Answer 28

Reduces side effects of radiotherapy; improves immune function and decreases infection risk after chemotherapy

Question 29

Chlorella:
Oestrogen metabolism

Answer 29

• Some ability to metabolise more potent oestrogens (oestradiol) to less potent forms, as well as degrading BPA
• Useful in cases of oestrogen dominance (e.g. endometriosis, breast cancer, fibroids etc)

Question 30

Chlorella:
Immune support

Answer 30

For recurrent infections by increasing IgA, which increases mucosal resistance to infection (decreases risk of respiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary infection)

Question 31

Chlorella: usage

Answer 31

Smoothies, juices, salad dressings, soups. Has a strong taste.

Question 32

Chlorella: dosage

Answer 32

Best introduced at smaller amounts– half teaspoon to avoid possible detox reaction such as nausea and bloating.

Generally recommended at 2-3 g/day.
Doses of up to 10g /day have been used in clinical research

Caution: GI symptoms at higher intake– generally brief.