Energy, Mitochondria, and Menopause – The Science of Spirulina and Chlorella with Catharine Arnston

When perimenopause and menopause begin, women experience a cascade of changes: brain fog, sleep disruption, night sweats, hot flashes, bone loss, memory problems, and shifts in body composition. The conventional advice tends to fall into two camps: either “accept it all as part of aging” or “fight it all with hormone replacement therapy.”

BUT, what if there’s a critical piece of the puzzle that’s been overlooked in the Western world? Something widely used in Asia but is barely known in America? 

At the heart of many menopausal symptoms lies mitochondrial health. Mitochondria are often called the “powerhouses of the cell” but they’re so much more. Think of them as the lights in your building – you can’t do any work inside without them. They generate the cellular energy (called ATP) that powers everything from your heartbeat to your neurotransmitters, digestion, and immune function.

The problem? As we age, our mitochondria start declining, and this decline accelerates dramatically during perimenopause and menopause. This isn’t a coincidence – it’s a direct correlation.

Women face a “double hit” during menopause:

1. Like everyone, their production of a critical mitochondrial protector called superoxide dismutase (SOD) declines after age 30
2. They also lose estrogen, which serves as another crucial mitochondrial antioxidant

This double loss means women experience more rapid mitochondrial deterioration than men, which explains why menopause symptoms can be so dramatic and wide-ranging. When your mitochondria fail, nothing in your body works properly.

Catherine Arnston found the solution: algae. 

At nearly 70 years old, Catherine Arnston embodies the potential benefits of algae. With abundant energy, clear thinking, and vibrant health, she continues to educate others about this ancient superfood that might just be the future of women’s health.

The Algae Solution 

Catherine Arnston’s discovery of algae’s powerful benefits began with her sister’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2008. When her sister’s oncologist recommended an alkaline diet to support healing, Catherine dove into research to help. This led her down a path that would transform her understanding of nutrition and eventually become her life’s mission.

Through years of research, Catherine found that algae – specifically spirulina and chlorella – offers remarkable solutions for many health issues, particularly those related to aging and hormonal transitions. The science was compelling: tens of thousands of studies documenting algae’s benefits, endorsements from NASA and the United Nations, and astounding nutritional profiles unlike any other food on Earth.

Understanding the Two Types of Algae

There are two main types of algae that offer complementary benefits:

Spirulina (Energy Bits)

• A blue-green algae that’s actually a cyanobacteria
• Contains 64% complete protein (all essential amino acids)
• Extremely high bioavailability – absorbed within minutes
• Contains the critical SOD enzyme that protects mitochondria
• Has a blue pigment called phycocyanin with anti-cancer properties
• Best taken in the morning for energy, focus, and hunger control

Chlorella (Recovery Bits)

• A green algae with a plant-like cell wall
• Acts as a powerful detoxifier – binds to toxins, heavy metals, pesticides
• Contains the highest chlorophyll concentration in the world
• Promotes gut health and stimulates peristalsis (bowel movements)
• Contains “chlorella growth factor” that accelerates cellular repair
• Best taken in the evening to support the body’s natural detox cycle

👉 Get ENERGYbits HERE and use code NATALIEJILL to save! 

The Mitochondrial Connection Explained

The key to understanding why algae is so effective lies in mitochondrial biology. Our mitochondria produce ATP (cellular energy) through a process that resembles a relay race – molecules pass electrons to one another along what’s called the electron transport chain.

However, this process generates damaging free radicals as a byproduct. The most dangerous is the superoxide radical, which has three unpaired electrons and can severely damage mitochondria if not neutralized.

Nature’s solution is superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that acts like a protective umbrella for your mitochondria, converting harmful superoxide radicals into harmless water and oxygen. The problem is that our bodies produce less SOD as we age, leaving our mitochondria increasingly vulnerable to damage.

This is where spirulina comes in. Spirulina contains the highest concentration of SOD found in any food, but with a crucial caveat – the SOD must be intact and active. Most algae supplements are dried using high heat, which deactivates the SOD, rendering it ineffective. Only properly processed, air-dried algae (like ENERGYbits) maintains active SOD that can protect your mitochondria.

The Evolutionary Connection: Why Algae Works

One of the most fascinating aspects of this story is the evolutionary connection between algae and our mitochondria. Scientific research has established that mitochondria evolved directly from ancient cyanobacteria (like spirulina) that were absorbed by larger cells over a billion years ago.

This explains why mitochondria have a double membrane – the inner membrane is a remnant from when they were independent organisms. It also explains why so few antioxidants can penetrate this inner membrane. Most antioxidants like vitamin C or those found in berries cannot access the inner mitochondrial matrix where the damage occurs.

The few substances that can penetrate this barrier include melatonin, glutathione, chlorophyll, and superoxide dismutase – and algae contains significant amounts of all these compounds. When you consume algae, you’re essentially providing your mitochondria with the exact nutrients they recognize and need at a fundamental level.

Why Isn’t Algae More Common Knowledge?

If algae is so beneficial, why don’t more Americans know about it? The answer is largely geographical and cultural. About 99% of spirulina and chlorella are grown in Asia – particularly Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and India. In Japan, chlorella has been a dietary staple since the 1950s, and these countries have significantly lower rates of obesity and longer lifespans.

In Asia, algae farms are common, and algae is integrated into daily life. In America, our food system developed differently, and algae remains primarily a niche supplement rather than a mainstream food.

Additionally, the production process matters enormously. Algae cultivation is more like winemaking than conventional farming – the production methods directly impact the quality and efficacy of the final product. Many cheaper algae supplements use high-heat drying methods that destroy the very compounds that make algae so beneficial.

How to Use Algae

For those interested in incorporating algae into their routines:

• For basic maintenance: 10 tablets of spirulina in the morning and 10 tablets of chlorella in the evening
• For therapeutic effects: 30 tablets of each (only about 30 calories total)
• Take spirulina before exercise, fasting, or when mental clarity is needed
• Take chlorella after exposure to toxins or before bed to support overnight detoxification
• For those taking GLP-1 medications: Spirulina can help maintain protein levels and nutrition
• For those following specialized diets: Algae works with all dietary approaches (keto, carnivore, vegan, paleo) as it contains no lectins, oxalates, or carbs

Benefits of Eating Algae 

While algae shows particular promise for menopausal symptoms, its benefits extend far beyond:

• Athletic performance: Fuels NHL teams and Olympic athletes
• Mental health: Supports neurotransmitter function and reduces inflammation
• Detoxification: Binds to toxins, heavy metals, and environmental pollutants
• Cancer prevention: Phycocyanin (the blue pigment in spirulina) has demonstrated anti-cancer properties
• Immune support: Chlorophyll has powerful antimicrobial properties
• Alkalinity: Helps maintain proper pH balance in cells and blood

The most effective health strategies are often the simplest. Some top recommendations are: 

1. Sleep (free and critically important)
2. Algae (relatively inexpensive compared to multiple supplements)
3. Sunlight or red light therapy
4. Movement

When paired with algae, other health practices become even more effective. For example, taking spirulina before sauna use or cold plunging enhances their benefits, as does combining chlorella with detoxification protocols.

👉 Get ENERGYbits HERE and use code NATALIEJILL to save!