Chlorella has been around for literally billions of years.  It is after all a very basic single-cell organism and predates us by an extraordinarily long time.  The fact that it’s been around for so long gives testament to the fact that it must be doing something seriously right!  Long used in Asia (Japan in particular), it was only in the nineteenth century with the invention of the microscope that chlorella was even identified as being nutritionally beneficial in the West.

Chlorella has what is known as a “hard wall” cell structure.  What that means for you is that your digestive system cannot break it down so as to allow the goodness inside to enter your body.  Consequently, chlorella has to be taken in a “broken wall” fashion so as to allow the nutrients to be absorbed.  That means taking chlorella as a supplement in a pill or powder from (see later in the article).

Chlorella is a complete protein – meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids the body needs from the diet.  That makes chlorella especially enticing for vegans.  It also contains a large range of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.

How I learned About Chlorella

My grandmother, a massage therapist and reflexologist since the 70s, was always around the natural health community. Back in 1991, she stumbled upon Sun Chlorella. She was really impressed after reading the founder’s story and his recovery from incurable disabilities. She gave Sun Chlorella a try and has been taking it ever since. She has been eating chlorella daily as recommended by Sun Chlorella for about three decades now. Today, she is 87 years old, she is a true testament. As cancer is pretty common these days, and a slew of other serious health conditions. She is cancer free, and healthy for her age. Unfortunately her strong willpower has kept her from taking any prescription medications, and her only medicine is chlorella, I kid you not!

So now, here are the 10 valuable health benefits of chlorella that you may never have known.

Chlorella Benefit #1:  Beneficial for Your Immune System

Evidence is growing that chlorella can provide a boost to the immune system, helping us to fight off disease and other serious health conditions. [1] Studies are still ongoing as to the full effect of chlorella on the immune system, but so far it looks increasingly promising.

Chlorella Benefit #2: It is Jam-Packed with Anti-Oxidants

Chlorella is a mini-treasure chest of anti-oxidants.  It offers significant vitamin C as well as lycopene and beta-carotene – all of which are excellent at fighting off disease.  Chlorella also contains the anti-oxidant lutein, proven to help protect the eyes against the likes of age-related macular degeneration, which in extreme cases can lead to blindness. [2]

Chlorella Benefit #3: Helps Fight Inflammation

Those same antioxidant properties in chlorella are also good at helping the body to fight off inflammation.  That’s especially good news for those with breathing issues such as asthma, COPD, and arthritis sufferers, as evidence continues to grow that chlorella can help alleviate the symptoms of both. [3]

Chlorella Benefit #4: Contains the Vital Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in our health.  Too little of it can lead to both neurological and nerve problems.  For vegans, this is especially relevant as B12 can be hard to come by.  However, chlorella helps to buck that trend, providing a good amount of this crucial vitamin. [4]

Chlorella Benefit #5: Can Help to Tackle Cholesterol

Evidence continues to grow to show how chlorella can help reduce “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels [5].  This is particularly great news for those who have heart problems and are looking to reduce their further health risks going forward.

Chlorella Benefit #6: Chlorella is Rich in Fiber

As we all know, fiber is key to good digestive health and also helping to reduce and control weight.  When you eat something fiber-rich, such chlorella, it makes you feel fuller for longer – which in turn means you are less likely to eat again as soon.  Digestive wise, your body passes the non-digestible fiber which means you are likely to stay more regular and less prone to intestinal build-up, blockages, health problems. [6]

Chlorella Benefit #7: Removes toxic heavy metals from your body

You might or might not know it, but we are exposed to a wide range of heavy metals from what we eat and what we breathe.  And no, we’re not talking Iron Maiden.  Rather, we’re talking about things like aluminum, lead, cadmium and mercury – all of which do your body no favors at all.  The high content of chlorophyll acts as a binding agent to heavy metals and flushes them out of your bloodstream. In addition, regular chlorella consumption helps the body stop accumulative build up of such harmful heavy metals. [7] 

Chlorella Benefit #8: May help reduce high blood pressure

Early evidence is pointing to how chlorella may help those with high blood pressure to tackle this serious medical condition.   A recent study of 80 high blood pressure participants showed how regular consumption of chlorella helped to bring their blood pressure levels down by significant amounts.  [8] [9]

Chlorella Benefit #9: Help those with Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a liver disease. It can result in serious liver damage, including liver failure. A 2013 study of the impact of chlorella consumption on 18 people with the condition began to show a significant reduction in liver inflammation – a key feature of hepatitis C. [10] 

Chlorella Benefit #10: Beneficial to pregnant women

Chlorella is a good source of iron, folate and as we saw earlier, vitamin B12.  All of those are vital for mothers-to-be, with folate being especially important in helping to prevent abnormalities in pregnancy.  [11]

How to consume Chlorella?

Chlorella can be taken as a supplement pill or as a powder to take in a smoothie for example.

Chlorella is widely available on Amazon and generally at a reasonable price too.  Take your pick from the likes of Now Chlorella 1000mg supplements, Sun Chlorella , Micro Ingredients Pure Organic Chlorella Powder or Terrasouls Superfoods Organic Chlorella Powder.  And that’s just the tip of the chlorella iceberg!

Give your body a great boost with a true superfood, chlorella.  A genuine superfood.

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3511195
[2] https://www.nhstaysideadtc.scot.nhs.uk/MDS%20Nutrition%20and%20the%20eye.pdf
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28276906
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26485478
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4066283
[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/chlorella
[7] https://www.byrdie.com/chlorella-benefits
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29037431
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19811362
[10] https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v19/i7/1085.htm
[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3519088