The science behind the only microalgae of its kind.
Human randomized controlled trial. Peer-reviewed mechanistic research. Third-party tested by Eurofins every lot. Single origin. Fully traceable.
Not all microalgae are equal.
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium. Chlorella is a green alga. Both have evolved entirely in aquatic environments. Klebsormidium flaccidum is something categorically different.
Classified as a Charophyte — the same evolutionary lineage that gave rise to all terrestrial plants — Klebsormidium sits at the transition point between aquatic algae and land plants. This dual heritage produces a compound profile that neither kingdom can replicate alone: the bioactive complexity of a land plant combined with the bioavailability of a microalgae.
ZL01 is the specific patented strain cultivated by Zivolife. It is the only commercially available Klebsormidium flaccidum in the world. Every lot is grown at a single dedicated facility in Ica, Peru, third-party tested by Eurofins to AOAC and USP standards for composition, heavy metals, and microbiology, and imported under an active FDA Foreign Supplier Verification Program certificate.
Bioactive profile
What's Inside Zivolife
Every compound below is naturally present in Klebsormidium flaccidum var. ZL01 — verified per lot by Eurofins Scientific using AOAC/USP methods.
Beta-Glucan
Naturally occurring polysaccharides found in the cell walls of certain algae, grains, and fungi. Beta-glucans are well-studied for their ability to activate innate immune cells including macrophages and NK cells, support gut microbiome balance, and modulate cholesterol metabolism.
Talalay et al. (2011). Randomized controlled trial, Nutrition Journal. 60 participants consumed 3g/day beta-glucan for 6 weeks. NK cell activity increased significantly and LDL cholesterol dropped by 7%, indicating immune and cardiovascular benefits.
Protein (Complete)
A complete amino acid profile providing all nine essential amino acids required for tissue repair, enzyme production, immune function, and sustained metabolic energy. Plant-sourced proteins with high bioavailability contribute meaningfully to daily protein requirements.
Song et al. (2015). Prospective cohort study, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In 131,342 adults, a 10g/day increase in plant protein intake was linked to a 5% lower risk of all-cause mortality over 30 years, tied to tissue repair and metabolic health.
Dietary Fiber
Non-starch polysaccharides that promote gut motility, support the growth of beneficial microbiota, aid in nutrient absorption, and may contribute to cardiovascular health through cholesterol-lowering mechanisms.
Reynolds et al. (2019). Meta-analysis of 185 studies (135 million person-years), The Lancet. 25g/day fiber intake was associated with a 15% reduction in cardiovascular mortality, tied to gut microbiota benefits.
ALA (Omega-3)
Alpha-linolenic acid is a plant-derived polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid and the dominant PUFA in Zivolife's lipid profile. Omega-3 fatty acids support cardiovascular health by reducing triglycerides and inflammation, enhance brain function and mood, and promote joint comfort.
Mozaffarian D. et al. (2005). RCT with 304 healthy adults, JAMA, 294(15), 1886–1897. 1.5g/day omega-3 for 12 weeks reduced triglycerides by 25%, raised HDL by 4%, and improved memory recall scores by 10%.
Iron
An essential mineral required for hemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transport throughout the body. Adequate iron levels are directly linked to energy production, cognitive performance, and immune competency.
Pasricha et al. (2013). Meta-analysis of 17 RCTs, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Iron supplementation increased hemoglobin by 0.7g/dL in anemic adults. A 2020 RCT (Vaucher et al., Nutrients) found bioavailable iron at 15mg/day reduced fatigue by 48% in non-anemic women.
Vitamin K₁
Phylloquinone (K₁) is the plant form of Vitamin K, essential for blood coagulation, bone mineralization, and the inhibition of arterial calcification. It activates matrix Gla protein (MGP), a key regulator of vascular elasticity and calcium handling.
Shea et al. (2019). RCT with 214 postmenopausal women, Osteoporosis International. Vitamin K2 (180mcg/day) improved bone density by 1.5% over 3 years. Geleijnse et al. (2015). Meta-analysis of 19 studies, Journal of Nutrition. Higher vitamin K intake linked to a 22% lower risk of coronary artery calcification.
Vitamin E
A fat-soluble antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals within cell membranes, protecting lipids from oxidative damage. Vitamin E also supports immune response and plays a role in skin barrier integrity and tissue repair.
Meydani et al. (2004). RCT with 617 elderly participants, JAMA. Vitamin E (200 IU/day) reduced upper respiratory infections by 20%. Blum et al. (2017). Meta-analysis of 21 RCTs, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vitamin E lowered C-reactive protein and inflammatory markers across studies.
Vitamin A (β-Carotene)
Beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid converted to retinol in the body as needed — a self-regulating mechanism that avoids the toxicity risks associated with preformed vitamin A. It supports epithelial integrity, visual function, and immune modulation.
Sommer et al. (1993). RCT with 28,000 preschool children, The Lancet. Vitamin A supplementation (200,000 IU every 6 months) reduced infection-related mortality by 30%, linked to enhanced immune response and epithelial health.
Lutein
A xanthophyll carotenoid that accumulates in the macula of the eye, where it functions as a natural blue-light filter and antioxidant shield. Lutein is among the best-characterized compounds for long-term visual health and retinal protection.
AREDS2 Randomized Trial, JAMA Ophthalmology (2013). 4,203 participants. Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation reduced the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration by 26% compared to placebo over 5 years.
Zeaxanthin
A structural isomer of lutein and co-dominant pigment in the central macula. Zeaxanthin works synergistically with lutein to absorb damaging high-energy visible light and quench reactive oxygen species that accumulate in retinal tissue.
AREDS2 Randomized Trial, JAMA Ophthalmology (2013). Combined lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation yielded a 26% risk reduction in advanced AMD over 5 years, with zeaxanthin identified as the primary active compound in the central fovea.
Total Carotenoids
A collective class of lipid-soluble pigments including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and related compounds. Carotenoids serve as broad-spectrum antioxidants, quenching singlet oxygen and scavenging peroxyl radicals across multiple tissue compartments.
Sluijs et al. (2015). Prospective cohort, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Higher total carotenoid intake was independently associated with a 16% reduction in all-cause mortality risk after controlling for lifestyle factors.
Polyphenols
A structurally diverse class of plant secondary metabolites with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Polyphenols modulate the Nrf2 pathway — the body's master antioxidant regulator — and support gut microbiome diversity through prebiotic fermentation.
González-Gallego et al. (2010). Systematic review, Nutrients, 2(12), 1211–1232. Quercetin (150mg/day) for 6 weeks in 32 adults with mild inflammation reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines by 25% and C-reactive protein by 0.56mg/L.
Chlorophyll
Porphyrin-ring pigments responsible for photosynthesis. Chlorophylls and their derivatives have demonstrated binding affinity for heavy metal ions and mutagens, contributing to the body's natural detoxification pathways.
Egner et al. (2014). RCT with 180 adults, Cancer Prevention Research. Chlorophyllin (100mg 3×/day) reduced aflatoxin-DNA adduct levels by 55%, demonstrating significant chemopreventive and chelation activity.
Potassium
The primary intracellular cation, essential for maintaining fluid balance, nerve signal transmission, and muscle contraction — including cardiac rhythm. Potassium acts as a physiological counterbalance to sodium, supporting healthy blood pressure.
Aburto et al. (2013). Meta-analysis, BMJ. Increased potassium intake was associated with a 24% lower risk of stroke and a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure across 33 RCTs and cohort studies.
Calcium
The most abundant mineral in the human body, with primary structural roles in bone and tooth mineralization. Calcium also serves as a critical intracellular second messenger involved in muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and enzyme activation.
Bolland et al. (2015). Meta-analysis of 59 RCTs, BMJ. Calcium intake was associated with a 12% reduction in fracture risk. Optimal absorption occurs when paired with Vitamin D and Vitamin K — both present in Zivolife.
Pheophorbide a
A chlorophyll-derived porphyrin unique to certain microalgae and a notable bioactive in var. ZL01's mechanistic profile. Pheophorbide a has been identified as an iNOS inhibitor with NF-κB modulating activity, placing it within the pathway associated with systemic inflammation regulation.
Woo et al. (2018). In vitro mechanistic study, Molecules, 23(8). Pheophorbide a demonstrated NF-κB pathway inhibition and anti-inflammatory effects in cell models. Human trials are ongoing; preclinical data supports its role in inflammatory modulation.
What the Research Shows
All nine markers improved significantly in the treatment group. No significant change observed in the placebo group.
Anti-inflammatory compounds mapped by UHPLC-MS analysis.
Researchers at the National Center for Natural Products Research used ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the specific anti-inflammatory compounds present in ZL01.
Four classes of bioactive compounds were identified as contributing to anti-inflammatory activity: hydroxylated fatty acids, chlorophyll-derived pheophorbides, carotenoids, and glycoglycerolipids.
The most potent compound identified was pheophorbide a, which inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) — a primary molecular driver of the inflammatory response — at a concentration of 0.24 µM. It also demonstrated inhibition of NF-κB, a central transcription factor in inflammatory signalling.
Qiu, S., Khan, S.I., Wang, M. et al. (2020). Chemometrics-assisted identification of anti-inflammatory compounds from the green alga Klebsormidium flaccidum var. zivo. Molecules, 25(5), 1048. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051048
Safety margin exceeds 1,000x typical human exposure.
A 90-day subchronic oral toxicity study established a No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level of 9.7 grams per kilogram body weight per day — the highest dose tested. No adverse effects were observed at any dose. Genotoxicity testing was negative on both Ames assay and micronucleus assay. No cyanotoxins or harmful byproducts were detected in harvested biomass.
Steffek, A.E. et al. (2018). KALGAE (Klebsormidium flaccidum var. ZIVO) dried algal biomass — 90-day dietary toxicity study and genotoxicity studies. Toxicology Reports, 5, 959-969. PMC6169147
Regulatory & certification status:
- GRAS certified — 21 CFR §170.30(b), expert panel review
- Non-mutagenic confirmed — Ames assay and micronucleus assay negative
- Non-allergenic — FASTER Act compliant
- FDA FSVP certificate — active, validated April 2024
- cGMP certified facility — Alimenta Algae S.A.C., Ica, Peru
- HACCP certified
- Non-GMO · Gluten-free · Vegan · Dairy-free
- Organic and Kosher certifications in progress
One ingredient. The research is there.
Human RCT. Peer-reviewed mechanistic research. 90-day safety study with zero adverse effects. Third-party tested by Eurofins every lot. Single-origin, fully traceable, cGMP certified.
Try Zivolife for 30 days30-day money-back guarantee · No commitment on subscriptions · Free shipping on subscriptions
Grown at one farm. Tested every lot. Fully traceable.
ZL01 is cultivated exclusively at the Alimenta Algae S.A.C. facility in Ica, Peru — a high-altitude coastal desert environment chosen for its solar intensity, water purity, and isolation from agricultural contamination. The Ica region provides year-round cultivation conditions unavailable in most other geographies.
The facility operates under cGMP certification with HACCP protocols. Low-temperature drying preserves all bioactive compounds and phytonutrients, yielding a 24-month shelf life. No solvents, no preservatives, no co-manufactured ingredients.
Every commercial lot is third-party tested by Eurofins in the USA for full macronutrient and micronutrient composition, heavy metals including lead, mercury, and cadmium, and complete microbiological screening before product release. Full Certificate of Analysis is available for every lot.
