Taken from the Greek word "chloros," which means green and small, chlorella is a single-celled fresh water alga that contains an abundance of nutrients. Considered a complete food, chlorella contains several rare trace minerals and more vitamin B-12 than beef liver. Chlorella is high in RNA and DNA and is an excellent source of protein.
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll, a phytonutrient, acts as an antioxidant, and contains vitamin K, which is needed for blood clotting and to build bone cells. A phytonutrient is a naturally occurring substance that gives plants their characteristic flavor, color, aroma and resistance to disease. Antioxidants block oxygen molecules that damage cells. Conditions associated with the use of chlorophyll include anemia, detoxification, the healing of burns and wounds and some believe it has cancer prevention properties. Other sources of chlorophyll include green leafy plants, and to a lesser extent, other colored vegetables. Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color.
B-Complex
Chlorella has a high concentration of B-complex vitamins, a mixture of vitamins that tend to be found together in animal and plant foods. Essentially, this group of B vitamins includes thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid and B-12. Choline and inositol are sometimes included in this complex of vitamins.
Protein
Chlorella contains approximately 45 percent protein when processed and dried. Protein is a macronutrient that requires amino acids for digestion. Chlorella is rich in numerous amino acids. When absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, the body rebuilds these proteins into its own proteins required for growth and to repair body cells, tissues muscles and organs. Synthesis by the body requires vitamin A. Blood clotting proteins require vitamin K for synthesis. Nucleoproteins are complexes of protein and nucleic acids and require vitamin B-12, also an abundant nutrient in chlorella, for synthesis.
Amino Acids
Chlorella contains the following amino acids, the first nine are essential: phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, histidine, threonine, asparagine, aspartic acid, arginine, cysteine, glutamine, glycine, glutamic acid, serine, proline, theronine and tyrosine. Amino acids are called the "building blocks" of protein because every structure in your body needs them, including enzymes, hormones, muscles, skin, nails and connective tissue.
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