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 some of the world's largest and longest living animals and fish. Blue Whales, humpbacks, baleen whales and more all eat plankton and live between 80-150 years while maintaining great strength and endurance and are sexually active until they die. 

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. Robert Rowe Ph.D. - "...Our beliefs are even responsible for our genetic makeup. Your genes will change to meet your beliefs. To understand this concept better, read the book Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton. There is a lot of solid scientific evidence to show that, on the smallest level, we are actually made up of light and energy, which we have at least some control over. And when we look at our world from this viewpoint, there is so much more to see and understand about its complexity, and it gives us more power over our destiny. 

Dr. Jerry Tennant, M.D.  - "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 and must be consumed in our diet (essential amino acids). The essential fatty acids are also present (Omega 3 and Omega 6).  Vitamins A (betacarotine), 81 (thiamine), 82 (riboflavin), 83 (niacin), 85 (pantothenic acid), 86 (pyridoxine), 812 (cobalamin), C, and D (tocopherol) and major and trace minerals are all present in phytoplankton. In short, it contains almost everything one needs to sustain life.  Therefore, it contains almost everything one needs to restore health by providing the raw materials to make new cells that function normally. This is particularly true if one stops putting toxic materials such as artificial sweeteners and trans fats (partially hydrogenated fats) into our body." 

Glyconutrients
Marine Phytoplankton is a rich source of glyconutriens which play an important role in good cell-to-cell communication.   "Most of the Nobel prizes in Medicine and Biology have been awarded to the concept of “cell communication,” which is how our 100 trillion cells get their metabolic function coordinated (J. Science, November 26th, 2004.) They do this through a system of “messages,” which are well-known molecules like hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes, etc. They form a vast network of communication, which should have never been separated into different components. The Psycho-Neuro-Immune-Endocrine system of cell communication to coordinate our metabolism is now considered to be the cornerstone of health and function in cutting edge research" Dr. Hugo Rodier (“The intricate interface between the immune system and metabolism,” J. Trends in Immunology 2004;25:193.)

Marine Phytoplankton contain many elements available no where else. You may have heard of fresh water phytoplankton like Spirulina and Chlorella. These algae also have many health benefits, however, with the 200+ separate species of marine phytoplankton, their nutritional profile is second to none!

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What Are Phytoplankton?

Source: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Phytoplankton (phyton = plant; planktos = wandering) are small, single-celled organisms that live in the sea. There are approximately 10,000 species of phytoplankton. They are characterized by size, shape, and pigmentation.

We can observe phytoplankton with satellite instruments via ocean color remote sensing, primarily with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's SeaWiFS instrument and MODIS instrument. The satellite detects different concentrations of Chlorophyll a with ocean color satellites. All phytoplankton have Chlorophyll a and accessory pigment that are either photosynthetic or photoprotective accessory pigments. Phytoplankton convert sunlight into biomass using a process called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, phytoplankton use solar radiation, water and carbon dioxide to yield glucose (a carbon form of energy they can utilize) and oxygen.

Overall Equation of Photosynthesis:

6CO2 + 12H2O + sunlight -> C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

Phytoplankton and other plants use glucose as "building blocks" to grow. Also, through photosynthesis, these microscopic marine plants nourish the entire marine food web.

Finally, phytoplankton are essential because they are a critical part of the ocean biology and in part control the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.