What Is the Best Chlorella Supplement?

Questions we answer with our in-depth guide to the best chlorella supplement of include:

• What is chlorella?
• Why should you take a chlorella dietary supplement?
• What are the benefits of chlorella?
• Chlorella vs. Spirulina
• How do you take a chlorella supplement?
• What is the best chlorella supplement?

We’ll rank our top six picks for the best chlorella supplements right now to help you make a choice.

What is Chlorella?

So, what is chlorella, and why is it becoming such a popular nutritional supplement?

Chlorella is a type of algae and it grows in freshwater. The primary uses of chlorella are to make medicines and nutritional supplements. Most chlorella that we consume here is grown in Japan or Taiwan.

Chlorella can be processed and then turned into liquid supplements or tablets.

Chlorella supplements have something called chlorella growth factor. Chlorella growth factor is an extract of the algae with amino acids, proteins, vitamins, peptides, and nucleic acids.

The levels of the nutrients in chlorella can vary widely, depending on how the crop was cultivated, harvested, and processed.

For example, dried forms of chlorella can contain anywhere from 7% to 88% protein.

Some people call chlorella the ultimate superfood.

Chlorella’s history as an alternative food source goes back to the 1940s. There are more than 30 chlorella species, but the two types most commonly used in research are Chlorella Vulgaris and Chlorella pyrendiosa.

Interestingly, chlorella has a hard cell wall, so you can’t digest it unless you take it in supplement form.

If you’re looking for a chlorella supplement, they come in capsule, extract, powder, and tablet form.

The Benefits of a Chlorella Supplement

There are some impressive potential benefits of chlorella. Some believe this supplement can help with everything from immunity to detoxifying the cells.

Some claims about taking a chlorella supplement are backed up with more research than others, but it does look promising in many ways.

Nutritious Value

Regardless of research in other areas, we do know for certain that chlorella is packed with nutrition and that in and of itself makes people consider taking a chlorella supplement.

The following are some of the valuable nutrients in a chlorella supplement:

• Chlorella contains anywhere from 50 to 60% protein and is a complete protein source. A complete protein source is one that has all nine of the essential amino acids.
• Some types of chlorella are high in vitamin B12, but not all.
• Chlorella is a good source of iron and it also has vitamin C, which boosts iron absorption.
• Chlorella is high in antioxidants.
• Small amounts of zinc, magnesium, copper, potassium, folic acid, and other B vitamins exist.
• Chlorella is packed with healthy fats—omega 3s.
• Chlorella can be a source of fiber.

As far as protein, studies have found the body can absorb it from chlorella supplements particularly well, which is rare in a plant protein source. That means chlorella can be a good protein source if you’re vegetarian or vegan.

Immune-Boosting

Chlorella supplements are believed to help strengthen your immune system in human and animal studies.

For example, a small study found that men taking chlorella made more antibodies than a placebo.

A study found that healthy adults taking a chlorella supplement had markers signifying increased immune activity.

Heavy Metal Detox

Animal studies have found that chlorella may help remove heavy metals from the body and that chlorella supplements may help stimulate detox altogether.

Heavy metals such as lead and cadmium can be toxic in high amounts.

Algae, like chlorella, has been found in animal studies to weaken levels of heavy metal toxicity in the kidneys, brain, and liver.

Chlorella may also help reduce the amount of other harmful chemicals in the body, many of which come from our food.

Dioxin is an example. Dioxin is a hormone disruptor that’s sometimes in our food supply.

Respiratory Disease Management

Chronic inflammation is linked to respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chlorella may help reduce inflammation, in large part because of the antioxidants it contains, which may help keep symptoms of respiratory disease more controlled.

Pregnancy

There are a few reasons chlorella might be a useful supplement during pregnancy. First, it is high in iron. It also has high amounts of folate and vitamin B12. Researchers have also theorized a chlorella supplement may reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy.

For example, in a study of 32 Japanese women who took 6 grams of daily chlorella supplement from weeks 12 to 18 of their pregnancy, with the supplement, they had lower levels of anemia and fewer signs of pregnancy-induced hypertension compared to participants who took a placebo.

Before taking a chlorella supplement or any supplement during pregnancy, you must speak with your doctor first because some aren’t considered safe when pregnant.

Combatting BPA

Estrogen is one of our body’s naturally-occurring hormones, but some substances mimic estrogen’s activity and can damage the body.

The substances are referred to as xenoestrogens. They enter our bodies through contamination of plastics, water, soil, and air. Xenoestrogens can increase the likelihood of developing cancer.

A study of chlorella supplements in 2009 found it removed 90% of one particular xenoestrogen—BPA—from a lab culture.

Cancer

Some research has indicated chlorella may have anti-tumor properties. This doesn’t mean in any way that chlorella supplements are a treatment or prevention for cancer, but there may be further research to be done on the topic.

In a 2009 Malaysian study, rats with chemically-induced liver cancer were treated with varying concentrations of a chlorella extract. After three months, the rates with chlorella had increased levels of proteins that trigger cell death in cancer cells.

There is some evidence to suggest that a chlorella supplement may also help when a person is taking chemo treatments. When you’re on chemo, your immune system is suppressed, making you more susceptible to bacteria and viruses.

Chlorella, since there’s evidence it is an immune-system booster, may be helpful for your health overall if you’re going through chemo. Some supplements can interfere with chemo, so speak to your doctor about any supplement you’re considering.

Cholesterol

A 2014 study published in Nutrition Journal found that a daily dose of chlorella in adults improved blood lipid levels. There were significant decreases in bad cholesterol but increases in so-called good cholesterol.

Hepatitis C

A study published in 2013 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that a chlorella supplement may help manage chronic hepatitis C, perhaps because it can reduce liver inflammation.

During the 2013 study, adults with chronic hepatitis C infection were given a 30 mL dose of a chlorella supplement twice a day, and also a 1500 mg dose of chlorella tablets two to three times. At 12 weeks, participants significantly lowered liver inflammation as measured by their AST and ALT tests.

It should be noted that the chlorella didn’t alter the viral load of the hepatitis C, meaning it doesn’t help the underlying infection but instead helps the associated inflammation.

Endurance

A study in 2014 looked at how taking 15 chlorella tablets twice a day for four weeks might affect human oxygen intake. The study participants who took chlorella saw an increase in their peak oxygen intake, which led researchers to conclude that chlorella has the potential to increase aerobic endurance capacity.

Blood Pressure

Chlorella supplements may help promote better kidney and heart health, both of which play a role in blood pressure levels. For example, there was a study of people with mildly high blood pressure who took four grams of chlorella each day for a total of 12 weeks. By the end of the study, the people taking the chlorella supplement had lower blood pressure than the study participants taking a placebo.

There was also a study in healthy men that found chlorella supplements were potentially linked to less artery stiffness, which is a factor that plays a role in blood pressure.

While researchers aren’t entirely sure why chlorella supplements help lower blood pressure, it may be because of the nutrients, including potassium, calcium, arginine, and omega-3s.

Blood Sugar Levels

If you take chlorella supplements, there’s the possibility it can help lower blood sugar levels. A study of people taking chlorella for 12 weeks found it lowered fasting blood sugar levels in both people considered healthy and participants at risk for lifestyle-related diseases.

Other studies have found potential benefits for taking a chlorella supplement to lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Other Benefits of Chlorella Supplements

Along with the benefits above, other possible benefits of chlorella supplements can include:

• Promotes eye health because it contains lutein as well as zeaxanthin. Both are carotenoids that provide protection to the eye and reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
• At least one pilot study has shown some benefits of taking a chlorella supplement for depression. In this particular study, 1800 mg of chlorella taken daily reduced symptoms of major depressive disorder more than a placebo.
• Some people with fibromyalgia report feeling better when they use a chlorella supplement.

Are There Side Effects of a Chlorella Supplement?

If you’re considering taking a chlorella supplement, it’s important to first talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. Overall, researchers don’t believe a chlorella supplement has any major side effects for most people.

For example, researchers did a study on mice in 2018 and found that an algae-based diet including chlorella didn’t have any adverse effects. According to that particular study, the diet was well-tolerated, and the mice didn’t show any signs of damage to the heart, liver, or kidney functions.

You shouldn’t take any excessive doses of chlorella either because that could potentially be toxic. Also, if you take a chlorella supplement and notice any signs of sensitivity or an allergic reaction, stop taking it immediately and talk to your healthcare provider.

If you have an autoimmune disease, speak to your doctor before taking a chlorella supplement because it can stimulate your immune system. If you have an iodine-sensitive thyroid condition, you should also talk to your doctor about chlorella supplements because they can have iodine.

How to Choose a Chlorella Supplement

There are a lot of chlorella supplement options out there, and we’ll cover our favorites below, but the following are some factors to consider as you choose the right product for you.

• Look for a product with pyrenoidosa if possible as you choose the best chlorella supplement. As was touched on, two commonly found types of chlorella are on the supplement market. In addition to pyrenoidosa, the other is Vulgaris. Both are packed with nutrients, but overall, pyrenoidosa has more nutrients.
• Cracked wall chlorella is extremely important because the outer wall of a chlorella supplement is hard to digest, so you won’t get as many benefits without the wall being broken.
• If you can find a chlorella supplement that’s organic, that may be optimal, particularly if your primary goal of taking the supplement is detoxing.
• Two of the most popular types of chlorella supplements available are powders and tablets. Tablets tend to be more convenient because they’re portable. Powders tend to absorb better because the body doesn’t have to break them down.

Chlorella vs. Spirulina: How Do They Compare?

Spirulina is a similar nutritional supplement to chlorella, but there are a few differences to be aware of.

First, both chlorella and spirulina are algae, but chlorella is a single-cell alga with a nucleus. Spirulina is a plant without a nucleus. Chlorella is a green algae, and spirulina is a blue-green algae. Chlorella has more nucleic acids than spirulina, which are factors for our body’s RNA and DNA.

Spirulina tends to be higher in things like iron and protein than chlorella, while chlorella is higher in chlorophyll.

Chlorella is uniquely suited for heavy metal detox compared to spirulina because its cell wall binds to contaminants, while spirulina doesn’t do this.

How to Take a Chlorella Supplement

First, follow the instructions for dosing when you take a chlorella supplement. The packaging should tell you how much to take.

You should try to take chlorella in the morning on an empty stomach, although you can break up your doses throughout the day and before meals.

Try to avoid taking chlorella with caffeine, like coffee or tea, because this will diminish its bioavailable iron.

Where Can I Buy a Chlorella Supplement?

Our favorite place to buy chlorella supplements is on Amazon. We include our unbiased ranking and reviews of the best chlorella supplements below, all of which are available on Amazon.

Top 6 Best Chlorella Supplements 

The following are our picks for the six best chlorella supplements and some of the key points we like about each.