Chlorella

Chlorella

Chlorella is a single-celled green algae that thrives in fresh water. This microscopic plant is believed to have existed on the planet for over 2 billion years, though it was only in the late 19^th century when it was first discovered. The name “chlorella” is derived from the Greek words “chloros” meaning green, and “ella” which means small. Even though invisible to the naked eye, chlorella contains the highest amount of chlorophyll among all living plant species.

Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants responsible for providing nourishment and oxygen, similar to the function of hemoglobin to humans. Chlorella has been found to also contain high levels of protein, carbohydrates, beneficial fats, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. For this reason, chlorella is considered as one of nature’s superfoods.

Benefits of Chlorella

As a superfood, chlorella can give you the following amazing health benefits:

Relieves Pain

A review of clinical trials studied the potential of chlorella supplements in improving the symptoms of fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder characterized by widespread body pain.[1]    The review concluded that incorporating chlorella in the diet can help reduce the intensity of pain in patients with fibromyalgia. This finding suggests that chlorella is a potent pain reliever.

Detoxifies Heavy Metals

One of chlorella’s most significant health benefits is that it helps flush out stubborn toxins in the body, such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury and uranium. Studies have shown that regular consumption of chlorella increases elimination of heavy metals from the gastrointestinal tract.[2-3]

Boosts Immune Function

According to researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College, chlorella supplementation in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy reduced the incidence of respiratory infections and flu-like illnesses.[4] This effect is attributed to chlorella’s high nutritional value. In another study, researchers from the Yonsei University in Seoul Korea reported that chlorella supplementation in healthy individuals increased the activity of the subjects’ natural killer cells (cells of the immune system), which is indicative of improved immune function.[5]

Helps Lose Weight

Adding chlorella into your weight loss regimen can help you shed extra pounds. In a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers found that subjects with high-risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases and healthy subjects who took chlorella supplements over a 16-week period both experienced noticeable reductions in body fat percentage.[6]

Slows Down Aging

Research continues to reveal that chlorella may possess strong anti-aging properties. A study published in the journal Clinical Laboratory revealed that the antioxidant properties of chlorella greatly reduces oxidative stress (a major factor that accelerates the aging process) in healthy smokers.[7] Researchers also concluded that the reason chlorella is so effective at slowing signs of aging is because it naturally increases levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and glutathione which helps protect cells and neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals.

Lowers Blood Sugar and Cholesterol

According to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, chlorella supplementation at a daily dose of 8,000 mg (divided into 2 doses) helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.[8] Researchers observed a decline in both cholesterol and blood sugar levels after the treatment. According to them, chlorella helps improve the body’s response to insulin, a hormone that helps lower blood sugar levels.

References:

1. Randall E. Merchant, Ph.D., and Cynthia A. Andre, MSc., “A Review of Recent Clinical Trials of the Nutritional Supplement Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia, Hypertension, and Ulcerative Colitis”, May/June 2001, Vol. 7., No. 3, pgs. 79-91.
2. Sears ME. Chelation: Harnessing and Enhancing Heavy Metal Detoxification—A Review. The Scientific World Journal. 2013;2013:219840. doi:10.1155/2013/219840.
3. Rafati-Rahimzadeh M, Rafati-Rahimzadeh M, Kazemi S, Moghadamnia AA. Current approaches of the management of mercury poisoning: need of the hour. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2014;22(1):46. doi:10.1186/2008-2231-22-46.
4. Available from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.2650040605/abstract.
5. Kwak JH, Baek SH, Woo Y, et al. Beneficial immunostimulatory effect of short-term Chlorella supplementation: enhancement of Natural Killer cell activity and early inflammatory response (Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial). Nutrition Journal. 2012;11:53. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-11-53.
6. Mizoguchi T, Takehara I, Masuzawa T, Saito T, Naoki Y. Nutrigenomic studies of effects of Chlorella on subjects with high-risk factors for lifestyle-related disease. Journal of medicinal food. 2008; 11(3):395-404.
7. Panahi Y, Mostafazadeh B, Abrishami A. Investigation of the effects of Chlorella vulgaris supplementation on the modulation of oxidative stress in apparently healthy smokers. Clinical laboratory. 2013; 59(5-6):579-87.
8. Mizoguchi T, Takehara I, Masuzawa T, Saito T, Naoki Y. Nutrigenomic studies of effects of Chlorella on subjects with high-risk factors for lifestyle-related disease. Journal of medicinal food. 2008; 11(3):395-404.