Super Greens for a Super Detox
Super greens, like spirulina powder and wheat grass, are some of the most potent foods on the planet. The worldwide popularity of these algae and grasses has sky rocketed over the past few years as more people learn how to use them for improved health and vitality. Using super greens is not a new idea, however. Indigenous peoples in South America and Africa have been using cereal grasses and freshwater algae for centuries – both for nutrition and externally as an antiseptic healing salve. Packed with chlorophyll, an inherent property of all green plants, these supercharged greens flood the blood supply with oxygen which detoxifies it and neutralizes cancer-causing free radicals. Chlorophyll also eliminates bad breath and acts as an internal body deodorant. Spirulina powder and wheat grass are the two most popular super greens that we’ll share with you, but we’ll also talk about Klamath blue-green algae, chlorella and barley grass. These super greens pack a variety of nutrients and, just like with your leafy greens, it’s good to use a variety of super greens for optimal health. You can buy bulk, organic spirulina powder, chlorella powder, wheat grass powder and barley grass powder at Mountain Rose Herbs for the highest in quality and convenience.  Spirulina PowderSpirulina powder is a cyanobacteria (or blue-green algae) that has been used for more than a thousand years in the African country of Chad as well as by the Aztecs in South America. Its dense nutritional content and healing properties have been well researched by modern scientists.Blue-green algae, like Spirulina powder, has the highest chlorophyll content and the highest absorbable protein content of any plant food. Its protein content is 95 percent absorbable. Beef protein is only 20 percent absorbable in the body. It is high in beta-carotene, a rich source of all the B vitamins, as well a good source for vitamins D, C and E. Spirulina also contains many different minerals, including calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, zinc, and large amounts of potassium. Spirulina stops cancer cell production, builds healthy cells and is thought to reverse the effects of aging. It detoxifies the body and fights bad breath and body odor. Use a tablespoon of spirulina powder daily in your green smoothies, in super pesto or by sprinkling on soups or salads. It is best raw and can also be purchased in tablet or capsule form if you don’t like the pungent taste. Today, Spirulina is farmed in controlled settings to create a high quality supplement without risk of contamination or toxicity that can occur in its natural setting. It is then freeze-dried and powdered. Spirulina is the safest form of blue-green algae. Some other strains of blue-green algae (which we’ll address below) have aroused controversy over their level of safety. Klamath Blue-Green AlgaeThe other popular strain of cyanobacteria is a blue-green micro algae harvested primarily in Klamath Lake in Oregon. This strain, Aphanizomenon Flos Aquae (AFA), grows abundantly in lakes worldwide and is a wild freshwater algae that makes many lakes green with growth. It is harvested from the lake, flash frozen and low temperature dried. Most commonly it is taken in tablet form although it is also available as a liquid.Klamath blue-green algae is packed with nutrients like Spirulina, containing an even higher chlorophyll content than Spirulina. Because it is wild harvested, AFA responds to the environment and is ever evolving into heartier and more potent strains. It provides all the benefits of Spirulina in addition to specifically nourishing the brain, creating greater mental alertness, stamina and memory. There have been several network marketing companies distributing AFA over the years. The issue of toxic contamination among some of their products has created a lot of controversy over blue-green algae. In some cases this algae can cause toxic reactions, serious illness and even death. Because this algae grows wild in uncontrolled environments, appropriate harvesting methods, toxicity testing and de-contamination are critical aspects of providing a safe AFA product. Adverse reactions to toxic AFA have led to illnesses, deaths and lawsuits. Some of the companies in question chose to go underground or change their names to escape blame and continue to do business. Power Organics, Inc. (also known as Klamath Blue Green, Inc.) is the largest wholesale company currently harvesting from the upper Klamath Lake. They use high quality control methods and are certified organic. This company is not multilevel marketing, has a sound track record and a reputation for quality products. Another company with a very strong reputation for high quality products is E3 Live. They do use distributor marketing but have been in business since 1991 without any incident that we could find. If you shop for products from these reputable companies, we believe you will receive a pure and clean product without risk of harmful contamination. ChlorellaChlorella is another of the super greens that is full of chlorophyll and nutrients and provides a rich supply of nucleic acid. It’s a green algae that has most of the properties of blue green algae, however it has an indigestible cellulose wall that must be broken and pulverized to make it absorbable. This has made production of chlorella somewhat problematic and more expensive.This cell wall, once thought of as merely an obstacle to absorption has actually turned out to be quite valuable. According to Paul Pitchford, “it binds with heavy metals, pesticides, and such carcinogens as PCBs and carries these toxins safely out of the body.” For these reasons Chlorella is a powerful and sophisticated detoxifier! Chlorella’s cell wall also contains unique complex polysaccharides that stimulate immune function and protect your body against mutations and tumor formation. Nucleic acid (RNA/DNA) in your body is responsible for cellular renewal, growth and repair. It decreases as we age and is depleted by lack of exercise, stress, pollution and poor diet. Replenishing your nucleic acid by taking Chlorella could play an important role in your ability to heal, experience vitality and enjoy longevity. Like the other super greens, Chlorella increases detoxification, cleanses the blood, enhances immunity and neutralizes carcinogens. Wheat Grass and Barley Grass Wheat grass and barley grass are known as cereal grasses. They are some of the other powerful super greens that are packed with chlorophyll. Wheat grass and barley grass are eaten as a “live” food, best when freshly harvested, as opposed to freeze dried algae. These potent greens are the young grass of the wheat or barley plant, before it matures into a grain. Also used for many centuries, it has become popular today in juice bars where the fresh, young grass is grown in flats to about 2-3 inches high then juiced into shot-sized servings or mixed in a juice or smoothie blend. Because it’s a live food, wheat grass is full of enzymes, mineral and other nutrients. It possesses 90 out of 102 nutrients that can be found in rich, healthy soil. The enzymes are highly cleansing as they loosen debris in the bowels. Wheat grass also drains the lymphatic system and builds healthy blood. These properties will help you eliminate toxins, fight degenerative diseases and keep your body strong. If taken on an empty stomach, wheat grass is an excellent energy booster without any of the side effects of other stimulants. It only takes 20 minutes to assimilate in the blood and the energy it creates is sustainable. It is most potent when taken alone. There is very little nutritional difference between wheat grass and barley grass. Both are super greens that deliver concentrated nutrition with high chlorophyll content. Barley grass is also known to reduce inflammation and pain. You can purchase both wheat and barley grass in organic powders from Mountain Rose Herbs. Blend into your green smoothies, chia porridge or sprinkle over salads. Whole Body Detox Diet Store Return from Super Greens to Superfoods Return to Home Page |
