Colds, Flus, and Chlorella
Dear Friends
How does our new Organic Chlorella help combat flus and colds?
Research studies, such as Yamauchi et al. (2011; 2012), and Otsuki et al. (2012), find Chlorella enhances SIgA levels in the mucus membranes.
Chlorella also enhances the blood levels of Natural Killer cells (Kwak et al, 2012; Davis et al., 2010). And is shown effective by Azocar J, Diaz A. (2013) in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C viral infections.
Therapeutic Food Protocol to support protection from colds and flus:
- Organic Chlorella– 4 to 10 tablet per day.
Let’s discuss the science behind this amazing green plant:
Our body’s mucous membranes are vulnerable “Ports of Entry” for pathogens entering into our body. Approximately, 95% of all infections are initiated at the mucosal surfaces: nose, throat, GI tract, urinary tract and lungs (Walsh, 2011).
Our immune system’s job is to protect us from these assaults; its natural antibodies like secretory IgA (SIgA) are amongst its frontline armament. Healthy SIgA levels minimize the risk of “getting the bug”. Excess stress can reduce SIgA levels, resulting in more colds and flus, including respiratory tract infections such as pheumonia and influenza (Klentrou, 2002).
Food Science:
Chlorella is an unicellular green algae which provides us with key nutrients, including a vast array of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, all of the essential amino acids, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), dietary fiber, and a wide range of antioxidants, bioactive substances and chlorophyll. It is the number one selling food supplement in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
Chlorella enhances SIgA levels in the mucous membranes throughout the body.
It is well understood that too strenuous exercise can cause a lowering of an individual’s secretory IgA levels and increase his/her risk of illness. Epidemiolgoical studies suggest that highly trained athletes are more susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections compared with the general population (Yamauchi et al, 2011).
The focus of Yamauchi and associates study was to examine the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and the appearance of upper respiratory symptoms (URS). Their results demonstrated that the number of URS increased along with the EBV-DNA expression and decrease of SigA levels.
This decrease suggests that the athletes were at an increased risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection, and therefore, it could be necessary to take protective actions to minimize catching cold viruses or even activating endogenous viruses like EBV.
Reducing the training load would be one way to increase SIgA, but Otsuki et al. showed another way. In previous research Otsuki demonstrated that chlorella intake daily increased the secretion rate of SIgA in humans. In their later 2012 study they additionally demonstrated that those participants in a Kendo training camp who consumed chlorella daily attenuated the drop in SIgA, a reduction experienced by other participant who didn’t take the chlorella supplement.
Chlorella enhances the blood levels of Natural Killer Cells (NK cells).
NK cells are cytotoxic effectors of innate immunity that distinguish between healthy and malignant or virally-infected cells. It is critical to have NK cells present optimal levels to protect the body from cancer and viral infections.
Kwak et al, (2012) demonstrated the beneficial effect of short-term [duration of study] Chlorella consumption on its enhancement of NK cell activity, and produced INF-y and IL-12 as well as IL-1beta—the Th-1 cell-induced cytokines.
Chlorella supplementation enhances clinical outcomes in patients with Hep. C.
It is estimated that up to 4 million persons in the US have chronic Hepatitis C virus infection (Davis et al., 2010). After three month of chlorella supplementation, Hepatitis C patients reported as follows: Quality of Life- 76.9% of the participants reported an improvement in their energy levels, 46.1 % reported an improvement in their perception of general health, 84.6 % of these patients had a significant decrease in their ALT levels (which is a marker for liver inflammation) from week 0 to week 12. Evaluation of side effects showed that Chlorella was well tolerated by all participants.
These results add to the growing literature on the beneficial immunostimulatory effect of Chlorella supplementation.
Bibliography:
- Azocar J, Diaz A. (2013). Efficacy and safety of Chlorella supplementation in adults with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. World J Garoenterol; 19(7): 1085-1090.
- Davis et al. (2010). Aging of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Infected Persons in the United States: A Multiple Cohort Model of HCV Prevalence and Disease Progression. Gastroenteroloyg; 1(38): 513-521.
- Klentrou et al. (2002). Effect of moderate exercise on salivary immunoglobiulin A and infection risk in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol; 87: 153-158.
- Kwak et al. (2012). Beneficial immunostimulatory effect of short-term Chlorella supplementation: enhancement of Natural Killer cell activity and early inflammatory response (Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial). Nutrition Journal; 11: 53.
- Otsuki et al. (2012). Chlorella intake attenuataes reduced salivary SIgA secretion in kendo training camp particpants. Nutrition Journal; 11: 103
- Walsh et al. (2011). Part one: Immune function and exercise. Exerc Immunol Rev; 17: 6-63
- Yamauchi et al. Virus Activation and Immune Function During Intense Training in Rugby Football Players. (2011). Int J Sports; 32: 393-398
Sincerely yours,
Seann Bardell
We have developed our products based on scientific research and/or the practical experience of many healthcare practitioners. There is a growing body of literature on food based nutrition and supplements and their application in support of our health. Please use our products under the advisement of your doctor.
Where Trump and Clinton Stand on Food: A Special Report from John Robbins: We spend more on healthcare than any country in the world, yet we have the highest rate of cancer, diabetes and heart disease of any country in the world. The above video gives us real pause for thought.