Science

The science behind Zivolife

Zivolife is a whole food microalgae, Klebsormidium flaccidum var. ZL01, that delivers plant protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants from a single source. It is the only commercially cultivated Charophyte, a lineage of green algae more closely related to land plants than to spirulina or chlorella. For partners, that means a nutritionally dense whole food with a documented research base, not a proprietary blend.

The organism

Zivolife is grown in outdoor open ponds in the high-altitude desert of Ica, Peru. The region's arid climate, solar intensity, altitude, and water purity are central to the quality of every lot. The flavor is mild and nearly neutral, which sets it apart from spirulina and chlorella and makes it adaptable across formats and formulations.

Nutritional profile (per 100g)

Protein: 52g. Dietary fiber: 14g. Iron: 142mg. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone): 2,131 to 2,240mcg. Zivolife also contains beta-glucans, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, and a full spectrum of carotenoids.

Evolutionary biology

The Klebsormidium lineage diverged more than 500 million years ago, and its genome reflects adaptations to survive extreme conditions on land, including UV radiation, drought, and temperature swings. Genomic work on the organism documents these adaptations. Source: Hori et al. (2014). Nature Communications.

Anti-inflammatory compound science

Independent research has identified a range of bioactive compounds in the organism, including hydroxylated fatty acids, chlorophyll-derived pheophorbides, carotenoids, and glycoglycerolipids. One compound, pheophorbide a, demonstrated notable activity in cellular models, inhibiting nitric oxide production through iNOS (IC50 of 0.24 µM) and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. This work is described as compound-level science, not as an outcome of Zivolife itself. Source: Qiu, S. et al. (2020). Molecules, 25(5), 1048. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051048.

Human clinical evidence

One published human randomized controlled trial supports cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. The trial enrolled 60 overweight adults over 10 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, and reported significant improvements across cardiovascular and metabolic markers with no adverse effects. The trial was conducted on the source microalgae culture from which Klebsormidium flaccidum var. ZL01 was subsequently isolated, identified as the bioactive strain, and developed into Zivolife. Source: Oben, J.E. et al. (2007). Lipids in Health and Disease, 6, 20. DOI: 10.1186/1476-511X-6-20.

Safety

A 90-day subchronic toxicity study established a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 9.7 g/kg/day, a safety margin exceeding 1,000 times typical human exposure. Source: Steffek, A.E. et al. (2018). Toxicology Reports, 5, 959 to 969. PMC6169147.

Quality and compliance

Zivolife is self-affirmed GRAS, produced under cGMP and HACCP standards, and tested at the lot level by Eurofins Scientific for pesticide residues, heavy metals, microbiology, and identity. The organism and its applications are US Patent Protected.