A First For Mankind. Hailed By Scientists Around The World As 'Nature's Holy Grail'. Phytoplankton May Be The Reason Why Sea Creatures Are Healthier Than Humans!

For three billion years Marine Phytoplankton has supported virtually all living creatures in the Ocean. It contains a unique combination of life sustaining nutrients including; Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EPA and DHA), Omega-6 (GLA), amino acids, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Marine Phytoplankton makes up one quarter of all vegetation (land and sea) and according to NASA provides up to 90% of the Oxygen in the air we breathe. All the Scientific evidence indicates that Marine Phytoplankton may be the most important food on Planet Earth.

How do we grow Conservation Grade Marine Phytoplankton? 
Not in the Ocean as you may think, but on dry land using
Photo-Bioreactors or PBRs (see example opposite). These
culture systems replicate the natural growing conditions
found in the wild - this allows us to avoid any need to deplete
the Ocean of a valuable resource. Our method of cultivation
has the added benefit that we can restrict the exchange
of gases, water and contaminants between the culture and
the outside environment. Photo-Bioreactors have several
advantages over open pond systems for the cultivation
of micro-algae:

~ higher biomass concentrations due to shorter light paths
~ reduced contamination
~ better control of physico-chemical culture parameters
 
For some applications these advantages justify the
increased cost of such systems compared to open ponds.
Open ponds do not provide conditions necessary for high
density algal biomass production because of the variation
in light intensity and temperature throughout the seasons
of the year. Chen (1996) states that enclosed PBRs have
the following advantages over open pond production;

~ Better control of algal culture
~ Large surface-to-volume ratio
~ Better control of gas transfer
~ Reduction in evaporation of growth medium
~ More uniform temperature
~ Better protection from outside contamination
~ Higher algal cell densities are possible.

Covering ponds can alleviate some of the disadvantages,
but enclosed systems will still provide better control of
temperature, light intensity, better control of gas transfer,
and larger surface area-to-volume ratio. An enclosed PBR
design will enhance commercial algal biomass production
by keeping algae genetics pure and preventing the possibility
of parasite infestation.

How do we conserve the natural goodness contained in live Marine Phytoplankton? 
By freeze-drying (or Lyophilization - see below #). This involves the sublimation/removal of water content and desorption from the raw algae. This conservation process maintains cell structure without any degradation. In contrast, undue heat used in flash or spray drying can damage the fragile and complex nutrients contained in this unique organism. Marine Phytoplankton has evolved over three billion years and has never been exposed to temperatures higher than those found in the Ocean. We are the only manufacturer that understands and preserves the integrity of this gift from Nature.

The highly specialised process of freeze-drying occurs under a vacuum with the micro-algae solidly frozen. During this procedure the water inside the cells slowly vaporizes under the low air pressure, and is transferred away to a condenser. The remaining pure Marine Phytoplankton is now in a stable and highly concentrated dry powder form; both the nutritional value and the quality remains the same as if it were still alive. Freeze-dried micro-algae (see 3rd image above) maintain their original shape and texture, unlike air dried/spray dried micro-algae which shrivel due to high temperature processing which decreases product quality.

# Lyophilization has many advantages compared to other drying and preserving techniques. Lyophilization maintains food quality because the food remains at a temperature that is below freezing-point during the process of sublimation; The use of Lyophilization is particularly important when processing lactic bacteria, because they are easily affected by heat. Foods which are lyophilized can usually be stored without refrigeration, which results in a significant reduction of storage and transportation costs. Lyophilization greatly reduces weight, and this makes the products easier to transport. For example, many foods contain as much as 90% water. These foods are 10 times lighter after Lyophilization. Because they are porous, most freeze-dried foods can be easily rehydrated. Lyophilization does not significantly reduce volume, therefore water quickly regains its place in the molecular structure of the food. 

Why is micro-algae better absorbed by humans than fish oil? 
Fish oil is not easily digested by everyone, but that is not the only reason why micro-algae is superior to fish oil. Two key nutrients (EPA and DHA) only achieve an optimum level of bioavailability for the human body when they are present in the Phospholipid portion of fats. Phospholipids are needed to transport the important nutrients into your system, and then directly into your brain. The EPA and DHA in Phospholipids (micro-algae) are better absorbed than EPA/DHA in fish oils because they can more easily cross what is called the blood/brain barrier to your brain. This barrier protects the brain from most foreign substances that come near it, not allowing them inside. In other words, the transfer mechanism to your brain (where you need these essential fats the most), is more efficient with micro-algae. When marine life eat Phytoplankton (or they eat creatures that eat Phytoplankton) they use the Phospholipids (just as humans would) in order to help transport the EPA and DHA to the cells of their body. It is not surprising therefore that the EPA and DHA that is stored in human cells is mainly in the Phospholipid  form, and only a small amount is in the Triglyceride form. Fish oils contain mostly Triglycerides and only a small amount of Phospholipids, that is why Nutritionists recommend we eat (when possible) whole fish such as Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon rather than fish oil - a denatured refined substance. Fortunately, Living Proof™ Marine Phytoplankton contains EPA and DHA in its most natural and bio-available Phospholipid form. Remember, Nature did not provide our ancestors with fish oil supplements!

What is the Recommended Daily Allowance?
Living Proof ™ Marine Phytoplankton is a whole food, not a formulated health supplement. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA/RDI)) is an outdated guide to specific amounts and types of foods certain groups of people should consume. You are unique and your dietary needs are not the same as other peoples. Many 'experts' earn their living by calculating to the last milligram how many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients we should all be consuming - much of it is based on flawed science and is therefore worthless. Is it not more sensible to let the intelligence of your own body determine what's best? If you feed the body with a broad spectrum of natural/organic, non- processed foods, then the body will take what it needs and reject what it doesn't need. If you are eating real food, it is almost impossible to 'overdose'. Living Proof™ Marine Phytoplankton is a highly concentrated bio-available natural food, and this means that only a relatively small quantity is required in order to achieve useful health benefits. However, servings can vary depending on individual requirements - either for general maintenance as part of a balanced diet, or higher levels for theraputic needs. As a guide, begin with 1 to 2 capsules per day. If using the powder, simply add a measured quantity to a bottle of purified/mineral water and shake for a few seconds before consuming. If required, add a little organic fruit or vegetable juice to enhance the taste. Alternatively blend the powder with a fruit/veggie smoothie or breakfast cereal.

Perfect Growing Conditions For

Marine Phytoplankton All Year Round

  Testing Living Proof™ Marine Phytoplankton For Quality And Purity In The Science Lab

The Finished Product Is Freeze-Dried Then Vacuum Sealed To Retain Freshness