What are Marine Phytoplankton? |
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Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that live in the ocean. There are many species of phytoplankton, each of which has a characteristic shape. Collectively, phytoplankton grow abundantly in oceans around the world and are the foundation of the marine food chain. Small fish, and some species of whales, eat them as food. Larger fish then eat the smaller fish. Humans catch and eat many of these larger fish. Since phytoplankton depend upon certain conditions for growth, they are a good indicator of change in their environment. For these reasons, and because they also exert a global-scale influence on climate, phytoplankton are of primary interest to oceanographers and Earth scientists around the world. "Phyto" means - Light and "Plankton" means - Floating/Suspended. Scientists at NASA theorize that some 3 1/2 billion years ago, the world was changed forever. The appearance of tiny organisms with the ability to convert sunlight, warmth, water and minerals into protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and amino acids marked the beginning of life. Phytoplankton, the single-cell plants are the basis of all other life forms on planet earth, they are the 'vegetation' of the ocean. Phytoplankton are responsible for making up to 90% of Earth's oxygen. Phytoplankton are the food utilized by the worlds largest and longest living animals and fish. Blue whales, bowhead whales, baleen whales, gray whales, humpbacks, and right whales all eat plankton. These species live between 80 and 150 years old and maintain great strength and endurance throughout their lives. The largest fish a plankton eating whale shark lives for over 150 years, grows up to 14 meters long, weighs up to 15 tons, and is sexually active until it dies. |
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| Whole Food Marine Phytoplankton:
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Plankton have an alkaline pH, which is important, given the acidity of our diets high in refined sugars, soda pop, and farmed large animals. The high density of nutrients found in algae is extremely important for many reasons. Perhaps the most important (as noted above) is that these nutrients maintain human cell membranes in structure and function. This is vital for cell detoxification, and for the overall metabolism of human cells. In fact, the causes of diseases have been simplified to very specific mechanisms, all of which center on cell membrane function and structure. Inflammation, Oxidation, Toxicity, and Mitochondrial dysfunction keep cell membranes from doing their job effectively. Algae contain high levels of antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory micronutrients to fuel metabolism and detoxification. Also, they stoke the fires of the Mitochondria, where cells make energy required to carry out their function. Of course, photosynthesis is the mechanism whereby plants in general and algae in particular, harness life-sustaining solar energy. (J. Applied Phycology 1993;5:235.)
Dr. Jerry Tennant, MD, from the Tennant Institute of Integrative Medicine, explains that the micronutrients and electrolytes in marine phytoplankton are exactly what human cell membranes need to carry out their metabolism. Not surprisingly, the composition of human plasma, or fluid surrounding cell membranes, is similar to that of sea water. Relying solely on land-based food sources may lead to deficiencies in these micronutrients and electrolytes. Containing a wide range of trace elements, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, enzymes and cellular materials, marine phytoplankton promotes and maintains optimum health by boosting and supporting all systems within the body. When the body is missing critical components, it is unable to maintain the balance of these systems, and malfunctions (disease) result. Overdependence on land-based food sources often lead to deficiencies in micronutrients and trace elements. The marine phytoplankton are Nature's gift to assist us on our journey to optimal health and wellness through balanced nutrition.
Hugo Rodier M.D.: "There are very few products that provide all, or even most, of the raw materials to make new cells and sustain the existing ones. The problem is that we need ALL of them at the same time for things to work. One of those rare products that contains almost everything you need for life (and the rebuilding of a healthy life) is phytoplankton. It contains the nine amino acids that the body cannot make...Th essential fatty acids are also present (Omega 3 and Omega 6). Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D and major and trace minerals are all present in phtyoplankton. more
Steven Schecter, N.D.:"There is no family of foods more protective against radiation and environmental pollutants than sea vegetables ... sea vegetables can prevent assimilation of different radionuclitides, heavy metals such as cadmium, and other environmental toxins."



