The micronutrients and electrolytes in plankton are exactly what human cell membranes need to carry out their metabolism. Not surprisingly, the composition of human plasma, or fluid surrounding cell membranes, is similar to that of sea water. Relying solely on land-based food sources may lead to deficiencies in these micronutrients and electrolytes. While transient sub-optimal nutrition may be forgiven, a constant diet lacking in these micronutrients will adversely affect every function, structure, and detoxification functions of the human cell. Consequently, our metabolism will suffer, leading to practically all diseases.
Good nutrition will enhance the structure and function of all organs in our bodies. Our brains, muscles, hearts, arteries, joints, bones, skin, hair, hormones, immune system, vision, digestion, kidneys, liver will carry out their jobs much better. Metabolically, our lipids, and sugars can be optimized, thus providing more overall energy, minimize weight problems, and improve sleep. These nutrients improve mental function, and memory. They reduce depression, harmful effects of stress, and mood swings.
Specifically, Spirulina (cyanophyta,) has 62% amino acids, or 20 times more protein than Soy and 200 times more than beef. It is also the richest source of vitamin B12, and it contains high levels of minerals, like Zinc. Spirulina has 10 times more carotenoids than carrots, and it is rich in xanthophyl pigments, like chlorophyll. It is also rich in oils, containing more omega 3s than fish oil, such as GLA.
Plankton is also rich in polymeric, and basic healthy sugars, such as polysaccharides
Plankton also have an alkaline pH, which is important, given the acidity of our diets high in refined sugars, soda pop, and farmed large animals.
The high density of nutrients found in algae is extremely important for many reasons.
Perhaps the most important (as noted above) is that these nutrients maintain human cell membranes in structure and function. This is vital for cell detoxification, and for the overall metabolism of human cells. In fact, the causes of diseases have been simplified to very specific mechanisms, all of which center on cell membrane function and structure.
Inflammation, Oxidation, Toxicity, and Mitochondrial dysfunction keep cell membranes from doing their job effectively.
Algae contain high levels of antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory micronutrients to fuel metabolism and detoxification. Also, they stoke the fires of the Mitochondria, where cells make energy required to carry out their function. Click here to see more health benefits of marine phytoplankton.
Here are some specific benefits of Sea plants documented in the medical literature:
- It is an Immune system enhancer, J. Nutritional Sciences and Vitaminology 1994;40:431
- It enhances macrophages, J. Nutritional Immunology 1995;3:35, J. Immunopharmacology, January 1996.
- It has anti HIV effects, Journal National Cancer Institute, August 1989, page 1254.
- Its phycocyanin stimulates hematopoesis, or building of blood cells, 2nd Asia-Pacific Conference on Algae technology, April 1994.
- It makes Iron more available, J. Nutrition Research 1986;6:85.
- It decreases nephrotoxicity, Annual Symposium Pharmaceutical Society, Japan, 1988
- It was approved in Russia to treat radiation sickness: 20 tablets for 45 days, Grodenski State Medical University, January 15th, 1994, J. Toxicology letters 1989;48:165
- It has anticancer activity by increasing endonuclease enzymes to fix DNA damage J. Nutrition and Cancer 1995;24:197, China J. Genetics 1988;15:374
- Its polysaccharides enhance immune system, 2nd Asia-Pacific Conference on Algae technology, April 1994 J. Agriculture Biol Chem 1983;47:2349
- It treats flu virus, J. Natural Products 1996;59:83.
- Its Calcium-spirulan, a polymerized sugar, treats Herpes Simplex, J. Phytotherapy Research 1993;7:76
- It strengthens immune system in chickens, after they are weakened by antibiotics, Proceedings 44th Western poultry Disease Conference, North Carolina, May 1995, J. Poultry Science 1994;73:46
- Chlorella, or unicellular green algae may reduce AGE, or Advanced Glycosylated Endproducts, which are toxic metabolites resulting from consuming refined sugars. Thus, Chlorella may improve Alzheimer’s disease (J. Medical Hypothesis 2005;65:953.)