Easy Green

Being green may not be easy – even if you're an internationally famous frog puppet. But when it comes to the “green food” supplement called chlorella, being green is a very good thing to be.

From: HSI – Jenny Thompson [HSIResearch@healthiernews.com] Sent: 27. september 2004 14:40 To: CARSTEN VAGN-HANSEN Subject: Easy Green

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

September 27, 2004

Dear Reader,

Being green may not be easy – even if you're an internationally famous frog puppet. But when it comes to the “green food” supplement called chlorella, being green is a very good thing to be.

On the HSI Forum, a member named Gidget asks if anyone has used chlorella, wonders what sort of results they had, and adds this question: “Has anyone done any research on chlorella?”

The quick answer to that last question: Yes, we've seen some research. But not nearly enough for a supplement that shows tremendous promise as a natural detoxifier, immune system booster, and perhaps even a cancer fighter.

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In the e-Alert “Giving and Taking Care” (9/16/04), a member asked for advice on how to help her father get some much-needed nutrition after his appetite was suppressed by radiation treatments for lung cancer. HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., suggested chlorella, which he described as nutrient dense and easily digested (not to mention “inexpensive and excellent”).

Chlorella is a freshwater algae that contains such a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids that it's considered to be a nearly perfect whole food. Chlorella is also the richest source of chlorophyll on earth.

In the e-Alert “Supplement From the Sea Can Treat Many 'Incurable' Conditions” (12/6/01), I told you how animal studies have revealed that chlorella may stimulate the production of immune system factors like macrophages, leukocytes, and interferon. But in recent years, chlorella research has moved beyond animal trials with studies that have examined the therapeutic effects of chlorella on fibromyalgia.

The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia involve inflammation or pain in joints and muscles, often accompanied by fatigue. This chronic condition is difficult to diagnose and not easy to treat. In two separate clinical trials conducted in Japan, researchers found that daily therapy with 10 grams of chlorella in tablet form and 100 milliliters of chlorella liquid extract brought improvements in pain, sleep, and anxiety – all common measures of fibromyalgia severity. After three months, 62 percent of the fibromyalgia patients taking the chlorella scored better on pain assessment measures – an improvement that was not seen when the same patients took a placebo. Overall, 71 percent of the participants said that chlorella helped to improve their fibromyalgia symptoms, with no side effects.

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In the 2001 e-Alert, I also told you about chlorella research on patients with ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large intestine, characterized by abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea).

In a study of eight people with ulcerative colitis, researchers found that chlorella significantly improved patients' symptoms. Each subject took 10 grams of chlorella in tablet form and 100 milliliters of chlorella liquid extract daily. After two months, the subjects completed a 32-question survey, noting the supplement's effect on four areas: symptoms related to the primary bowel disturbance, systemic symptoms, emotional impact, and social impact.

The results showed strong improvement across the board. The participants also reported that the severity of their attacks lessened considerably soon after they began taking chlorella, and that their symptoms continued to reduce or remained stable over the course of the study.

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When using a natural agent such as chlorella as a therapy for cancer, ulcerative colitis, fibromyalgia or any other health problem, it's always best to consult a doctor or a trusted health care professional. Chlorella is not known to cause side effects, but its use may be associated with mild adverse reactions triggered by the detoxification of pesticides and heavy metals stored in the body.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute

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Sources: “Nutritional Supplementation with Chlorella Pyrenoidosa for Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Study” Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, Vol. 9, No. 4, 2001, immunesupport.com Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association; Vol. 4, No. 2, Summer 2001, americanutra.com “Chlorella: A Natural Wonder Food” Dr. Joseph Mercola, mercola.com “Chlorella” The American Cancer Society, cancer.org

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