The Difference Between Chlorella and Spirulina

Chlorella
Chlorella is a genus of single cell freshwater green algae belonging to the phylum Chlorophyta. It is spherical in shape, about 2 to 10 μm in diameter, and is without flagella. These single celled microscopic organisms are composed primarily of chlorophyll pigments. With the capacity to reproduce at a rapid rate of 4 times in just 12 hours, chlorella is an an incredibly sustainable food source offering many important nutrients coupled with a high value of complete protein. 

Because the cell wall of chlorella is indigestible to humans, it is mechanically “broken” through soundwave exposure, gentle milling or pulverizing in preparation for optimal nutrient bioavailability in humans. Encompassed in this fibrous outer shell is a bounty of unique and potent nutrients, offering a wealth of health benefits:

• Cleansing Chlorophyll-Composing nearly 7% of the biomass of chlorella, the pigment chlorophyll is a powerful cleansing agent for the body. As a heavily researched component of this algae, it aids in the processing of oxygen, helps to prime the key elimination system of the body and promotes the growth and repair of your tissues.

• Powerful Heavy Metal and Pesticide Detoxification- Chlorella is a powerful detoxification aid, strongly binding to heavy metals such as cadmium, uranium, mercury and even radioactive materials to usher their prompt removal. Studies have indicated that it has the unique potential to remove toxins while simultaneously strengthening the immune system response to subsequent exposures. Supplemental chlorella has been used therapeutically in mining populations and areas where there are high levels of air pollution and no pure drinking water.

• Ultra-Rich in Nucleic Aids- Chlorella is extremely rich in nucleic acids, key factors for RNA and DNA that protect cells and raise energy levels.

• Bountiful in Beta Carotene- This influential carotenoid acts as a powerful antioxidant to reduce the harmful effects of free radicals and minimize the damage generated from oxidative stress. As a fat soluble provitamin, it also helps with the functioning of the reproductive system, as well as to promote eye and skin health. 

• Improves Bowel Function- Chlorella stimulates the growth of friendly aerobic bacteria which has a profound, beneficial effect on overall bowel health. Furthermore, chlorella's cell walls act to absorb toxic compounds within the intestines, restoring proper gastrointestinal pH and helping to promote normal peristalsis.

Spirulina 

Spirulina is a close cousin of Chlorella and related to other robust sea vegetables including kelp, dulse, nori, arame and wakame. Spirulina however, is a unique blue-green algae, meaning it is not a true algae in biological terms but rather a cyanobacteria. This distinctive classification is given because its genetic material is not organized in a membrane-bound nucleus, yet it still uses the sun as a source of energy the way that plants do. Grown natively in the alkaline freshwater lakes of Mexico and continental Africa, it has become a popular superfood worldwide, with the highest rates of consumption and production now in Japan.

• Easily Digested- Because the cell wall of spirulina is composed of mucopolysaccharides instead of indigestible cellulose, it is easily broken down by the human digestive system. Nutrients are thus highly bioavailable and become quickly assimilated into the biochemistry of the body.

• Rich in Complete Protein and B12- Slightly higher in content than chlorella (which contains about 50% protein), Spirulina is 70% full protein by biomass. Often used as a supplement for those who consume poor quality or limited amounts of meat in their diet, Spirulina is also one of the few plant sources of essential vitamin B12. Because of it’s highly digestible composition, the hardy protein found in this algae is high in net protein utilization and efficiency ratio, allowing all of the amino acids to be readily utilized without cooking. 

• High in Fatty Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)- Few foods contain this substance, an omega-6 fatty acid that plays a crucial role in brain function, reproductive health, growth and development, skin and hair growth, bone health, and metabolism regulation. While most commonly consumed in the form of linoleic acid and then converted into GLA within the body, spirulina contains the full form of this fatty acid allowing for efficient absorption and potent effect.

• Unique Phytochemical Phycocyanin- This outstanding phytochemical is the pigment which gives spirulina it’s blue hue. It is unique to spirulina and studies have found it to be useful to brain function, heart health, immune system strengthening, and in supporting bone marrow function for building blood cells. In mammals phycocyanin is converted into phycocyanorubin, an antioxidant that is helpful in protecting the tissues from free radicals.

Health Benefits Of Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts http://goo.gl/ColMoK come from a tree that is grown in many parts of the Amazon, not just Brazil. They are large, in comparison to other nuts, and are often included in nut mixes. Just six nuts comprise a 1 ounce serving. Brazil nuts offer many nutrients, but are dense in calories and fat and are are quickly becoming one of the hottest foods for improving health and longevity.


Primary Nutrients
One ounce of Brazil nuts contains 185 calories, 4 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbohydrates. Brazil nuts provide 2 grams of fiber per 1 ounce serving, which is 8 percent of the recommended daily allowance, or RDA, as per U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet. They provide 5 percent of the RDA for calcium and 4 percent for iron.

Beneficial Fats
Most of the fat found in Brazil nuts is the healthy unsaturated varieties which, when used in lieu of saturated fat, can help to promote heart health, says the American Heart Association. Of the 19 grams of fat in 1 ounce 41 percent is monounsaturated and 34 percent is polyunsaturated. Keep in mind that Brazil nuts still contain the highest amount of saturated fat of any nut – one serving provides 21 percent of the RDA. Stick to just one serving of nuts daily to keep your daily calorie and fat intake under control.
Brazil nuts should not be purchased in large quantities. Due to its high omega-6 fatty acid content, Brazil nuts have a tendency to become rancid easily.
Store them in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain their freshness. 
Regularly eating multiple servings of Brazil nuts may cause negative health effects. 
The CIDPUSA Foundation notes that more than 10 times the RDA of selenium can cause brittle hair and fingernails, stimulate skin rashes, affect the nervous system, make you feel fatigued and disrupt digestion causing diarrhea.

Health benefits of Brazil nuts:

• Brazil nuts are high in calories, contain good quantities of vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals. Its kernels, in-fact, have been staple energy sources of native Amazonians even today.

• 100 g of brazil nuts provide about 656 calories. Their high caloric content chiefly comes from their fats. However, much of this fat content is mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) like palmitoleic acid (16:1) and oleic acid (18:1) that helps lower LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increase HDL or "good cholesterol" levels in the blood. Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet that is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids offers protection from coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.

• The nuts are also a very good source of vitamin-E; contain about 7.87 mg per 100 g (about 52% of RDA). Vitamin-E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant. It is required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucusa and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen-free radicals.

• Brazil nuts hold exceptionally high levels of selenium. 100 g nuts provide about 1917 µg or 3485% recommended daily intake of selenium, rating them as the highest and most concentrated natural source of this mineral. Selenium is an important cofactor for anti-oxidant enzyme, glutathione-peroxidase. Just 1-2 nuts a day provides enough of this trace element. Adequate selenium in the diet help prevent coronary artery disease, liver cirrhosis, and cancers. According to a double-blind study published in the International Journal of General Medicine in 2011, selenium and vitamin E were given to 690 infertile men and 53% total improvement in sperm motility and morphology was observed.Interestingly, as a side note the study also reported pregnancy in 11% of the cases.To ensure the necessary amount of selenium in the diet, only 1-2 Brazil nuts per day are needed. Since Brazil nuts do not contain uniform amounts of selenium (it ranges between 70-90 micrograms per nut) a specific number of Brazil nuts can be given. It should also be noted that no more than 2 nuts per day should be consumed since selenium in large quantities can be toxic and even reduce testosterone levels. 

• Furthermore, just as in almonds and pine nuts, brazil nuts too are free from gluten protein. The nuts, therefore, are one of the popular ingredients in the preparation of gluten-free food formulas. These formula preparations are, in-fact, healthy alternatives in people with wheat food allergy and celiac disease.

• Additionally, these creamy nuts are an excellent source of B-complex group of vitamins such as thiamin (51% of RDA per 100 g), riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), and folates. Altogether, these vitamins work as co-factors for enzymes during cellular substrate metabolism inside the body.

• In addition to selenium, they hold very good levels of other minerals such as copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. Copper helps prevent anemia and bone weakness (osteoporosis). Manganese is an all-important co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.