Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life

compound exclusively found in chlorella, are further attributes that set chlorella apart. CGF is responsible for chlorella’s unprecedented ability to quadruple every day. By consuming chlorella, we can benefit from its growth factor. It speeds cell regeneration, slows signs of aging, enhances healing, and expedites muscle recovery. CGF is even capable of stimulating tissue repair when the body’s healing sources are overworked because of incessant stress. CGF is capable of swinging the body’s immune function north of the proverbial fine line during times of unrelenting stress, thus helping you avoid getting sick.
     
    A CGF of 3 percent growth is considered high; however, most packaging labels don’t state the CGF. When selecting chlorella, look for high levels of protein and chlorophyll; some brands do state this on the label. For protein, 65 to 70 percent is considered high; for chlorophyll, 6 to 7 percent.
     
    Since chlorella is a whole food, I suggest a daily dose of at least 1.5 grams (about ½ teaspoon); 2.5 grams (1 teaspoon) daily is significantly better. You can’t take too much chlorella: Because it is not stored in the body, toxicity is not a risk. However, its full cleansing effect will likely be felt with 2.5 grams (1 teaspoon) a day. I consume up to 7.5 grams (1 tablespoon) a day during heavy training, with a notable improvement in my performance. Some people take up to 15 grams (2 tablespoons) a day to add more protein to their diet. However, since chlorella contains iron, those on a low-iron diet should not exceed 10 grams (4 teaspoons) a day.
     

coconut
     
    Coconut water is the cloudy liquid inside a coconut. It has a sweet and distinctly coconut flavor. Packed with electrolytes, coconut water is the original sport drink. It has been used for decades in tropical regions to keep the body properly hydrated. The coconut meat, the white flesh inside the coconut, is a good source of high-quality fat and trace minerals. Coconut milk is coconut meat blended with coconut water. This white fatty liquid (which is considered a good fat) has the consistency of cream and is a common ingredient in Thai cooking.
     

green tea
     
    Prized in Asia for centuries for both its nutritional and ceremonial value, green tea is available in several varieties. The variety getting the most attention in North America recently is matcha green tea. With a slightly bitter yet fresh taste, matcha is a potent green tea that is higher in nutritional value than other varieties. The leaves are ground into a fine chlorophyll-rich powder that is exceptionally high in antioxidants.
     
    While matcha does contain caffeine, that caffeine differs significantly from the type found in the coffee bean. Matcha’s caffeine is a type that slowly and steadily releases energy over the course of several hours, meaning it won’t cause caffeine jitters, as coffee will. In addition, theophylline does not place stress on the adrenal glands as typical caffeine-rich beverages do. There is evidence to suggest that matcha can help restore hormonal balance and therefore be beneficial to the adrenal glands.
     

green tea seed oil
     
    With a viscosity and color similar to extra-virgin olive oil, green tea seed oil is high in antioxidants and trace minerals. As with all oils, it carries many of the beneficial properties of the plant it is extracted from: Just as green tea has many beneficial properties, so too does green tea seed oil.
     

maca
     
    A root vegetable related to the turnip and grown in the mineral-rich volcanic soil of the Peruvian highlands, maca is yet another superfood. Maca, a staple of native Peruvians for thousands of years, is an adaptogen. When the Spanish conquistadors invaded Peru, they had tremendous trouble adapting to their new environment: Accustomed to land much closer to sea level, the newcomers now had to adapt to a land that was at an elevation of 11,000 to 15,000 feet. At this altitude, oxygen in the air is less than half of what it is at sea level. The newcomers were physically stressed beyond their limits. Their livestock, also new to the region, exhibited signs of stress as well, eventually resulting in a decline in fertility. Once the animals were fed maca, however, they soon adjusted to their harsh environment. Making the connection, the conquistadors began eating maca too, with similar results.
     
    Curtailing the effects of stress by helping the adrenal glands regenerate, maca is an ideal “modern