Does Chlorella Contain Detectable Levels of Mercury?

Since the inception of chlorella as a treatment for mercury poisoning and heavy metal detox, there has been great debate about the presence of mercury in chlorella itself. Physicians, patients, and dentists who operate in mercury-free offices are all concerned that chlorella could be part of the mercury poisoning problem.

Organic Plants Contain Higher Levels of Mercury

It is important to note that environmental factors have made it impossible to grow plants, even organically, without a small level of mercury. Because mercury is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and is naturally present in soils made from volcanic rock, plants grown in developed nations are naturally exposed to mercury.

According to a study published in The Journal of Applied Nutrition (Smith, B.L., Vol. 45, 1, pp 35-39, 1993), even organically grown produce didn't necessarily contain lower levels of heavy metals. Organic apples contained 20% higher levels of heavy metals including cadmium and lead than non-organic apples. Organic potatoes tested 10% higher in lead and 70% higher in mercury than non-organic, and organic sweet corn tested at 80% higher levels of aluminum and mercury.

Sadly, this study proves that pollution levels on the planet have reached such high levels that it's not possible to keep produce 100% free of heavy metals. According to data collected by researchers from samples of polar ice, atmospheric lead levels have climbed over the past 100 years.

GreenPath Chlorella Contains the Lowest Mercury Levels Possible 

At GreenPath, we're proud to announce that our highly specialized process limits mercury levels in our chlorella to undetectable levels. In our chlorella, detectable mercury is only present on the surface of the hemi-cellulose wall. This surface absorption actually indicates chlorella's superior ability to bind to heavy metals and prevent absorption.

A study published in Environmental Science and Technology by the Department of Chemisty at New Mexico State University (Vol 20;2, pp206-208, 1986 "Selective Recovery of Gold and Other Metal Ions from an Algal Biomass") confirmed that the mercury bound to the surface of chlorella cells remains bound even at stomach-level acidic conditions with a pH of 2.0.

In another study, cadmium-laced chlorella passed through the system of rats with no absorption in the rat's body. (Nagana, T.Y. Watanabe T. Honma, Y. Suketa and T. Yamamoto.  "The absorption and Excretion of Cadmium by the Rat Administered Cadmium-containing Chlorella: Eisei Kagaku 24 (4) 182-186, 1978)

While concerns of detectable levels of mercury in chlorella are understandable, there is no cause for alarm. You can feel good about taking GreenPath Chlorella as a dietary supplement as well as for heavy metal detox.