Chlorella might proctect infants from swine flu and cancer via breastfeeding

September 1, 9:50 AMDallas Women's Health ExaminerToni Parker

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When it comes to chlorella, the benefits are never ending. This tiny little algae has a measurement of 3-8 micrometers in diameter; yet it packs a nutritional punch the size of a rainforest. It turns out that when pregnant women consume chlorella pyerenoidsa supplements, they have significantly higher amount of the (Ig) A antibody concentrations in their breast milk, according to a Japanese study. When the researchers studied the milk of 35 Japanese women, they found that 18 of the women, who took chlorella while pregnant, had more of the (Ig) A antibodies than those who did not take chlorella supplements. Why is this important?

The significance of the (Ig) A in a mother’s breast milk is extremely important because it is needed to build the baby’s immune system and fight infection. WebMD states that (Ig) A antibodies are found in areas of the body such as nose, breathing passages, digestive tract, ears, eyes and vagina. Furthermore, these antibodies protect both mom and baby’s body surfaces that are exposed to outside sources. Virology Blog explains the importance of (Ig) A antibodies as it pertains to viral infections like influenza, and suggests that this particular antibody is extremely necessary to neutralize mucosal viral infections. Virology Blog goes on to report, “Virions that infect mucosal surfaces encounter secretory (Ig) A antibodies present at the apical surfaces of epithelial cells,” which neutralizes the virus and stops it from spreading to the cells and infecting you further.

In another Japanese study, researchers looked at women who took chlorella pyrenoidosa supplementation while pregnant to monitor the effect that it would have on the high amount of dioxins that were being found in breast milk. 18 out of 35 pregnant women were given chlorella pyrenoidosa supplementation and their dioxin levels were investigated. Researchers found that the mothers who took the chlorella pyrenoidosa supplementation had reduced levels of dioxin transference in their breast milk. Conversely, mothers who did not take the supplement had no changes in their dioxin levels. The researchers also noted that the mother’s breast milk had very high concentrations (Ig) A antibodies, which reduces the risk of infections in nursing infants.

In general, American women are not aware of the benefits of chlorella, especially as it relates to pregnancy and nursing; however, in Japan, it is highly recommended that pregnant women should supplement with chlorella. With the flu season upon us and the threat of a swine flu epidemic emerging, perhaps American mothers along with their doctors, should thoroughly investigate using this natural, whole food as a safe remedy to keep influenza away from them and their babies.
 

Additional Articles by Toni Hall Parker

References:

(June 2008). Study Shows Mothers Who Take Chlorella Boosts Babies’ Antibodies During Breast Feeding. Bio-Medicine.org. Retrieved on August 26, 2009 from http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Study-Shows-Mothers-Who-Take-Chlorella-Boost-Babies-Antibodies-During-Breast-Feeding-22182-1/

(August 2008). Immunoglobulins. Webmd.com. Retrieved on August 26, 2009 from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/immunoglobulins

Racaniello, Vincent . (July 2009). Virus Neutralization by Antibodies. Retrieved on August 26, 2009 http://www.virology.ws/2009/07/24/virus-neutralization-by-antibodies/