Superfoods For Optimum Health: Chlorella and Spirulina
by Mike Adams, the Consumer Wellness Research Center - page 22 of 39

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Chlorella and spirulina exhibit impressive immune stimulating and boosting properties. As with the previously mentioned healing properties of these superfoods, their immune boosting powers are likely due to a variety of nutritional factors. Let's examine these one at a time:

Gamma linolenic acid

GLA is not only known for regulating blood sugar and providing important nutrients to the brain; it also exhibits immune-boosting properties. In fact, according to Dr. Hass, author of Staying Health With Nutrition, GLA has been shown to be effective for the following health conditions:

•     Cardiovascular disease—anti-inflammatory effect; reducing platelet aggregation, thereby reducing clotting; lowering blood pressure by decreasing vessel tone; cholesterol-lowering effect.

•    Arthritis  (rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders)—anti-inflammatory effect; immune support; correcting possible EFA and GLA deficiency.

•     Skin disorders (eczema, acne, dermatitis)—anti-inflammatory effect; EFA functions; immune support.

•     Allergies, asthma—anti-inflammatory effect; EFA function; immune support.

•    Multiple sclerosis—nerve conduction; correction of possible EFA and GLA deficiency; immune support; decreased platelet aggregation; balancing prostaglandins.

Essentially, GLA helps support the immune system through a variety of mechanisms, and its benefits go far beyond mere immune system function. In fact, nearly 200 clinical studies on the health effects of GLA have been conducted, and they show stunning results for this beneficial oil:

In the 1980s, GLA was studied more intensively than any other nutrient: About 200 clinical trials took place in university hospitals and medical schools throughout the world. Dr. Horrobin's clinical studies have led him to believe that a lack of essential fatty acids could turn out to be one of the most common defects in human biochemistry and a significant factor in many diseases. Essential fatty acids are especially important in the function of nerve, muscle, and immune systems, for when people lack the proper balance, the neurological, endocrine, and immune systems are shown to be adversely affected.

GLA has proven to be effective in the treatment of many serious diseases. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies for atopic eczema demonstrate that GLA improves skin conditions, relieves itching, and reduces the amount of steroid medication required. In a large, placebo-controlled trial at Bristol University in England, both adults and children showed substantial improvements. In clinical trials for diabetes, GLA has reversed neurological damage and lowered plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. [GLA] has also been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of Sjogren's Syndrome.

- Innocent Casualties: The FDA's War Against Humanity by Elaine Feuer

It is important to point out, however, that many of the studies conducted on GLA used evening primrose oil as their source for this essential fatty acid. Evening primrose oil offers a much higher concentration of this isolated nutrient than spirulina, of course, since spirulina is a whole food source containing a full spectrum of proteins, minerals, vitamins, oils, and other nutrients.

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Next: The magic of polysaccharides found in the cell wall of chlorella

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