tofino yoga

Green Foods

By Sarah Platenius

Many kinds of green food supplements are popular today. They are used to enhance and help cleanse your diet. Spirulina, Chlorella, and wild blue-green algae are micro-algae we hear about most often. They share the common property of chlorophyll which makes them green like other green plants. These three specific algae's just happen to have the highest percentage of chlorophyll. The color green itself supports finding balance where there is imbalance. Chlorophyll and green plants in general "provide a refreshing, vital and relaxing presence." Chlorophyll also acts as a purification agent, an anti-inflammatory, and helps renew different aspects of the body.

Spirulina, one of the most economical sources of green foods due to its simple harvesting technique, has a slightly salty flavor, is cooling yet nutritious. It helps clean the kidneys and liver, builds and enriches the blood and helps the arteries, supports intestinal floral and discourages the growth of fungi, bacteria and yeast. It can be used for a number of different diseases such as hepatitis, general inflammation and obesity. Its supply of beta carotene, chlorophyll and unsaturated fatty acids, make it a great immune booster.

Another highly nutritious algae is chlorella which carries less protein than spirulina and a bit more beta-carotene and twice as much chlorophyll and nucleic acid. This algae is similar in its uses to spirulina but for people with deficiencies and someone who wants to cleanse but is cold, this is the best green food supplement. Chlorella is also known for its ability to improve growth patterns in kids, maintain health in elderly and support people who have growth diseases or degenerative diseases.

One of the more complicated algae's to harvest and therefore more expensive is wild blue-geen algae. In comparison to Chlorella and spirulina, wild blue-green algae is the most cleansing and potent. It is advisable to use wild blue green with care and to be sure it is the proper algae for your specific condition or disease. Wild blue green is bitter as well as cooling. It has a drying effect and acts mildly as a diuretic, neurostimulant, antidepressant and relaxant. It is also good for the lethargic or for excess type person.

There are other high chlorophyll foods such as dunaleilla (a micro-algae), wheat and barley grasses. Green foods in general have beta-carotene properties which in combination with chlorophyll make Vitamin A--a necessity in helping the liver function properly.

When choosing a micro-algae or other green foods besides regular green foods such as lettuce or celery, it is important to match your body type with a proper algae or green food supplement. Please consult a professional before adding a green food into your diet.

(Notes from Paul Pitchford's Healing with Whole Foods)