Ultimate Phytoplankton — An Ideal Alkaline Food Source

It has been suggested that an overly acidic body is a breeding ground for all forms of disease ranging from heart disease, to digestive disorders, to various forms of cancer. Acids are produced in our bodies from metabolic stress, exercise, trauma, and the intake of acid-forming foods. Usually, our bodies have a regulating system that maintains a healthy body pH, however, these systems may become exhausted predisposing us to disease. Fortunately, consuming an abundance of alkaline forming foods has been suggested to reduce harmful levels of body acids thereby preventing disease.

The acid theory may partly be true since whole plant foods, which are largely alkaline in nature, are known to protect against most disease states. In confirmation of the alkaline theory, studies show that a slight reduction in blood pH may predispose us to a loss in bone minerals which over time can lead to the development of osteoporosis. On the other hand, increasing intake of foods rich in alkalinity, specifically potassium rich green foods, can normalize blood pH levels and reduce the risk for osteoporosis. The bottom line is that the best protection against disease is consuming more plant based foods. Similarily, the best way to alkalize your diet is to eat more plant based foods, and use whole green food supplements for added support.

Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ is considered the king of the super green foods; it's rich in organically bound trace minerals, magnesium, and calcium. Super green foods support the ideal in alkaline nutrition since they provide the most bio-available forms of trace minerals.

Organic Calcium Powder — The Ideal Ingredient for Enhanced Alkaline Nutrition

Calcium is an alkaline macro-mineral essential for many physiological functions including bone integrity, muscle contractions, and heart function. Studies suggest that calcium may even help reduce the incidence of colon cancer, and obesity. However, the health benefits associated with calcium intake are largely dependent on bio-availability. Fortunately, studies show phenomenal absorption potentials with an organic source calcium called "Organic Calcium Powder". Unlike other calcium supplements this vegetarian source powder contains substantial levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese and over 70 valuable trace minerals.

A recent double blind, placebo controlled, clinical trial (2005) using "Organic Calcium Powder" showed the best absorption dynamics verses other forms of calcium. Essentially, this form of calcium was 102%, and 400% better absorbed, verses calcium carbonate, and tricalcium phosphate respectively. These findings are not surprising since other studies clearly state that calcium and trace minerals work together in synergy to improve markers for bone density.

"Organic Calcium Powder" is very alkaline in nature since it is loaded with naturally occurring minerals. As such, it is an ideal complement to marine phytoplankton. Together these two ingredients form a super food that provides enhanced levels of alkaline minerals. The end result is a dynamic synergy that supports the intake of alkaline forming foods and thus an alkaline lifestyle.

The Importance of Meaningful Nutritional dosage

There are many phytoplankton products in the market which can make things confusing when selecting a product of choice. The most important feature to look for is the quantity of phytoplankton per capsule. Essentially the higher the quantity, the better the nutritional support. Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton was designed to provide 200mg of Phytoplankton per capsule, which is up to 8 times more phytoplankton verses most competitors. This means up to 800% more of the nutritional benefits.

In addition, its freeze dried form ensures optimal quality and stability.

Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ — An excellent complement to any natural health program

In summary, Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton is a super nutritious whole food supplement that supports a health promoting alkaline lifestyle, antioxidant intake, and overall cellular nutrition. It is an excellent product to take on its own or as a compliment to any natural health program. The recommended dose is one capsule up to 3 times daily with water. Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ is very safe to take, however, as is the case with any green food potentially rich in vitamin K, use with caution if taking prescription blood thinners.

North Coast Naturals™ has developed an innovative whole food supplement that optimizes cellular nutrition. The North Coast Naturals™ team of formulators along with leading Canadian Nutrition Specialist and researcher Vince Ziccarelli MSc. FICN, have designed a revolutionary approach to nourish and alkalize the cell. This technology is based on the delicate synergy of whole foods, antioxidants, and organic source minerals.

This formula has been specifically designed to provide the optimum in cellular nutritional support while providing essential minerals required for the best in whole food alkaline support. The key ingredients in this formula include phytoplankton and organic calcium. Following is a closer look at the unique nutritional properties of phytoplankton.

Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ — King of Cellular Nutrition

Microscopic sea plants are known as phytoplankton and are essentially considered the grass of the sea. The food chain begins with these sea plants whereby phytoplankton is at the forefront.

Phytoplankton consists of photosynthetic organisms that produce organic substances from external energy sources including sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. These microscopic sea plants are super concentrated in the green pigment chlorophyll, the primary site for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is critical for global energy production and recycling, of which all forms of life are dependent.

The end result of photosynthesis is the provision of energy nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats.

Energy nutrients are essential to human health since they literally fuel every cell of the human body.

Phytoplankton serves as a valuable source of nourishment for many sea animals. Of particular interest, phytoplankton provides fish with the healthy omega 3 fats such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega 3 fats are essential to human health since research clearly shows a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, auto-immune disorders, and behavioural disorders associated with these healthy fats.

From Fish Feed to Human Consumption

Moving phytoplankton from fish food to human consumption has shown some interesting findings. Anecdotal reports suggest that phytoplankton may offer many nutritional and health benefits that go far beyond other plant foods. There have been a plethora of testimonials ranging from potential benefits for cardiovascular health, chronic fatigue syndrome, weight loss, blood sugar disorders, arthritis, and even serious digestive disorders. Most of the health testimonials have been astounding, with complete recoveries in conditions that are typically considered incurable.

"I have never seen anything like this in all the years that I have worked with Natural Health products. The diversity of astounding health recoveries reported by people taking Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ suggests that this food may have nutritional properties unlike any other plant." Vince Ziccarelli MSc. FICN (Nutritional Scientist).

Although clinical studies are warranted in support of these claims, preliminary studies indicate that there may indeed be many compounds in this plant that could act to reduce the risk for disease and improve health. These compounds include trace minerals, chlorophyll, omega 3 fats EPA and DHA, carotenoids, and other un-identified pigments. Interestingly, a recent animal study (2003) found that a unique strain of phytoplankton called Nannochloropsis, significantly reduced plasma and liver levels of cholesterol demonstrating its potential benefits for cardiovascular health.

Phytoplankton Pigments May Be Potent Antioxidants

A recent review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that the potent health protective qualities of fruit and vegetables are attributed to the complex mixture of phytochemicals present in whole foods. To date we have identified up to 5000 phytochemicals in plant foods, with still many that are unknown.

Indeed research clearly shows that plant pigments (phytochemicals) in foods may be working synergistically as antioxidants to fight off disease. Most forms of disease are suggested to be either a cause of increased oxidation in the body or to result from excessive oxidation. Oxidation describes the rusting of cells, tissues, and organs. Antioxidants from foods slow down oxidation thereby preventing cellular damage that can lead to disease.

Phytoplankton is loaded with antioxidant nutrients and pigments. Some prime examples of phytoplankton antioxidants include the carotenoids such as astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Carotenoids are known to work as a family to prevent disease. Food source carotenoids are the only effective way to receive health benefits, due to the intricate balance that can only be found in foods.

This is in line with most studies on antioxidants, where consistent health benefits are found with diets rich in plant foods. Furthermore, Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ has been shown to provide the same level of antioxidants as found with cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables are amazing health protectors, detoxifiers, and provide a nutrition power house. However, the astounding health benefits reported with Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ may indicate that this whole food contains unique antioxidants that may be working at a cellular level to produce a stronger antioxidant effect within the body.

"The health benefits reported with Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ may indicate that this whole food contains unique antioxidant pigments un-available in other common foods.

Alternatively, it may be working at the cellular level to produce a stronger more direct antioxidant effect." Vince Ziccarelli MSc. FICN (Nutritional Scientist).

The Importance of Nutritional Synergy

The miracle of the nutritional sciences is that there are literally thousands of compounds in foods both organic and inorganic that work as a team to optimally nourish the body. Every nutrient plays an integral role in assisting the other in achieving their proper functions. For instance, bioflavonoids, vitamins C, E and selenium all work together as antioxidants. Vitamin E and selenium work interchangeably as antioxidants against oxidation of cellular membranes, and fatty tissues throughout the body.

As well, phytochemicals including carotenoids, chlorophyll, and phycocyanidins, all work as strong antioxidants to reduce the risk for many chronic diseases such as skin cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease and age related macular degeneration.

Marine Phytoplankton: A Whole Food Rich in Nutrients That Work in Synergy

Our unique Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ comes from a pure strain of phytoplankton called Nannochloropsis. It is a very high quality freeze dried powder of phytoplankton. Freeze drying is a very expensive process that uses low temperatures to produce a very stable powder with optimal nutritional yield and integrity.

People consume this whole food as a natural insurance policy for their diet. It has been suggested as the ideal way to fill in the nutritional gaps since it is complete in nutrition. As well, it is a green based plant food which offers many nutrients that are alkaline in nature. This food contains substantial levels of organically bound minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and manganese which are all essential for mineral nutrition.

State of the Art Harvesting

Our marine phytoplankton is grown in a controlled aqua system, with ideal sunlight exposure, and is ultimately freeze dried to maintain optimal nutritional content. Since it is harvested in a controlled aqua system, it is free of virtually all contaminants commonly found in the sea or ocean and produces optimal nutrition yield. The freeze dried powder is further tested by third party laboratories for safety, purity, antioxidant and nutrient levels. In fact, it has been shown to have a total antioxidant level (as measured by ORAC units) higher than most berries, and vegetables.

This is a clear indicator that Ultimate Marine Phytoplankton™ is very rich in nutritional value. Furthermore, antioxidant rich foods are well recognized for offering many health benefits and to prevent disease. (Most other harvesting methods use sodium to artificially stimulate phytoplankton growth, resulting in very high levels of unwanted sodium. High sodium intake is unfavorable since it is associated with water retention and elevated blood pressure.)

Preliminary Studies Demonstrate the Nutritional Value of Phytoplankton

Many preliminary studies demonstrate that the unique strain of Phytoplankton used by North Coast Naturals is a valuable source of critical phyto-elements including pigments, carotenoids and the essential fats EPA and DHA.

In addition, it's very high yield of pigments suggest that it is the ideal source for antioxidant potentials.

Evidence also indicates that this species of algae may help to favorably modify markers for cardiovascular events. In vivo studies have shown significant reductions in blood cholesterol, and blood pressure levels, suggesting heart health potentials. Given the promising nutritional evidence associated with Phytoplankton, leading nutritional scientists are designing gold standard studies to further investigate its comprehensive health potentials.

References:
Lubian L, Montero O, Moreno-Garrido I, Huertas I, Sobrino C, Gonzalezdel Valle M et al. (2000). Nannochloropsis (Eustigmatophyceae) as source of commercially valuable pigments. J. Appl. Phycol. 12: 249-255.
Mokady S and Sukenik A (1995). A marine unicellular alga in diets of pregnant and lactating rats as a source of omega 3 fatty acids for the developing brain of their progeny. J. Sci. Food Agric. 68: 133-139.
Rebolloso-Fuentes M, Navarro-Perez A, Garcia-Camacho F, Ramos-Miras J, Guil-Guerrero J (2001). Biomass nutrient profi les of the microalga Nannochloropsis. J. Agric Food Chem. 49: 2966-2972.
Spolaore P, Joannis-Cassan C, Duran E, Isambert A (2006). Commercial applications of microalgae. J. Biosci. Bioeng. 101(2): 87-96.
Werman M, Sukenik A, Mokady S (2003). Effects of the marine unicellular alga Nannochloropsis sp. to reduce the plasma and liver cholesterol levels in male rats fed on diets with cholesterol. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 67(10): 2266-2268.
Ziccarelli VE and Basu TK. (2003). An in vivo study of the antioxidant potentials of a plant food concentrate. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 22(4): 277-282.
Meskin M, Bidlack W, Davies A, Omaye S, editors (2002). Phytochemicals in Nutrition and Health. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 173-191.
Strause L, et al (1994). Spinal Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Women Supplemented with Calcium and Trace Minerals. The Journal of Nutrition. 124(7): 1060-1064.

Nutritional Facts

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