About Algae Liver Cleansing

Numerous animal and human studies have indicated that eating certain types of algae are beneficial to all parts of the body. According to Nakaya et al in "The Cholesterol Lowering Effects of Spirulina" eating this variety of algae lowers cholesterol produced by the liver. Types of blue green algae such as spirulina are also loaded with vitamins and enzymes that are beneficial for proper liver function, according to Dr. Gitte Jensen.

History

• Edible varieties of algae grow naturally in the Pacific oceans near Japan and Hawaii and in large freshwater lakes including Lake Chad in Africa, Lake Titicaca in South America and Lake Texcoco in Mexico. Native American and African tribes dried and stored edible algae year-round and used it for food and trade for thousands of years. Now it is a common ingredient in whole food supplements.

Types

• All types of edible algae are of the blue green variety but there are also some variants of this that are toxic to humans. Spirulina grows naturally in the ocean or in man made ponds, while aphanizomenon grows naturally in fresh water. You can also eat varieties called nostoc and chlorella. There are huge differences in the nutrient and phytochemical makeup of algae depending on the specific environment that it was grown in.

Features

• All edible blue green algae contains high levels of minerals such as zinc, selenium and magnesium, and it usually is loaded with other liver friendly vitamins such as beta carotene. Algae is a raw food that has enzymes, carotenoids, chlorophyll and amino acids that are believed to improve the liver's ability to process toxins. Because it is amongst the most nutrient dense foods on earth it is often used in whole food supplements, which supply vitamin and mineral requirements without synthetic processing.

Benefits

• Algae serves as an anti inflammatory and it boosts your immune system function. Because it is high in antioxidants it scavenges free radicals, possibly leading to a more youthful appearance. It appears to inhibit the growth of tumors and has antimicrobial (bacteria killing) effects in lab rats. Eating algae also helps your liver metabolize cholesterol and regulate blood sugar.

Recommendations

• Add a blue green algae such as spirulina to your liver cleansing diet. According to Carol Willis in "The Willis Protocols: Spring Liver Cleanse Especially for a Deficient Constitution" algae will help your immune system and may increase white blood cell count in your body. Algae is already included in many commercial liver cleansing products due to its usefulness for this often neglected part of you.