5 Benefits of Chlorella

Sometimes it is about finding nutrients in the most unexpected places to enhance your health. Formed into dietary supplement freeze-dried powder, chlorella, which some tout as a superfood, is a class of freshwater algae. Algae is found throughout various bodies of water and some are considered a kind of “salad of the sea”. This nutrient dense single celled algae offers 5 benefits of chlorella that may surprise you.

A Protein Powerhouse

You may be interested in convenient forms of protein these days. So many bars and shakes ‘on-the-run’ offer high protein. Yet few contain all nine amino acids which is considered a complete protein. Chlorella contains upwards of 50-60% complete protein (about 16 grams per ounce).

Medical News Today reported that,

“One mouse study has shown that the body absorbs protein from three types of chlorella effectively. This is rare for plant protein sources. It makes chlorella a suitable protein option for vegans.”

Killer Cell Release

It is no surprise how humans work in unison with plant-based foods and remedies. Chlorella is capable of stoking your immune system into an all out affront on pathogens and especially inflammation.

A study of chlorella, published in Nutritional Journal, concluded that,

“These results may suggest a beneficial immunostimulatory effect of short-term Chlorella supplementation which enhances the NK cell activity and produces interferon-γ and interleukin-12 as well as interleukin-1β, the Th-1 cell-induced cytokines in healthy people.”

All the mentioned results of the chlorella effect in this study above lead to a reduction in systemic inflammation. This is often a source of pain in joints but inflammation can also lurk on the cellular level creating a hospitable environment for disease.

Detox Binder

Chlorella also has the unique capability of binding to heavy metals and extracting them from the body. Each day you ingest microscopic particles that may contain compounds from heavy metal chemicals. This may include gas exhaust from trucks and cars or excessive mercury found in large gamefish like tuna. It has also been shown that mercury used in dental fillings or other dental metals may slowly leach into the system causing possible toxicity, inflammation, and pain.

Research of the effects of chlorella on systemic heavy metals due to dental implants was published in the journal ‘Antioxidants’ which stated that,

“The aminosulphurates and Chlorella and Fucus sp algae supplementation enhanced detoxification of heavy metals by reducing Hg++, Ag, Sn, and Pb levels in patients with long-term dental amalgam filling and titanium implants”

Increased Stamina

One small study of the oxygenation effects of chlorella has shown beneficial results. When the body uses oxygen to its maximum potential, stamina can be greatly improved. 

The study, which was published in the Journal for Clinical Biochemical Nutrition, describes the results of a chlorella supplement test,

“Seven men and three women (mean age, 21.3 year) were allocated to placebo or Chlorella tablets (15 tablets × twice per day [about 6 grams]) for 4 weeks,…Peak oxygen uptake significantly increased after Chlorella supplementation but not with placebo. These results suggest that Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation increases aerobic endurance capacity in young individuals.”

Lower Cholesterol

Super foods are often linked to aiding heart health. Chlorella is no exception with studies showing an ability to lower cholesterol in mild cases of cholesterol imbalance. 

This is good news for those trying to improve their future health outlook as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) cites that as of 2016, 

“93 million U.S. adults age 20 or older have total cholesterol levels higher than 200. Nearly 29 million adult Americans have total cholesterol levels higher than 240.” (Below 200 is considered manageable, but the lower the better.)

Nutrition Journal cites a chlorella cholesterol study by researchers from the Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea which concluded,

“Daily consumption of Chlorella supplements provided the potential of health benefits reducing serum lipid risk factors, mainly triglycerides and total cholesterol, in mildly hypercholesterolemic [excessive cholesterol] subjects.”

Check with your physician or naturopathic doctor to determine if chlorella supplements may help you. These 5 benefits of chlorella show some of the many advantages of using this superfood for optimal health. 

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-chlorella#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320067#nutrition

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3511195/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6523211/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25320462/

https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/facts.htm

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24920270/