Chlorella
Have you heard of Chlorella? This nutritious health supplement has been hailed as a superfood, with many health benefits. Coloured a brilliant green, Chlorella is derived from a single-celled, fast-growing freshwater algae. (1)
Originally cultivated and eaten in Japan and other parts of Asia, Chlorella has been studied as a food source since 1950. Nutritionally dense, chlorella contains all the vitamins required for human health, as well as minerals, and even omega-3 fatty acids. Not only does it contain iron and folate, these minerals can be readily absorbed by your body.
In recent years, studies have confirmed chlorella’s ability to promote health, and analysis of supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors show improvements in lowering total cholesterol levels. (1) The studies confirm that Chlorella contains bioactive compounds: scientists believe that its health benefits could be due to the synergy between its many nutrients and antioxidants.
If you’re concerned about your family’s diet, and want a healthy supplement, consider Chlorella.
Chlorella offers many benefits to build a healthy diet
By weight, Chlorella contains up to 60% protein, as well as all nine essential amino acids your body needs for normal functioning.
These nine are called “essential”, because your body can’t make them: you need to get them from your diet, and this can be challenging if you’re not consuming a wide range of foods. For those on a restricted diet, like vegans and vegetarians, it’s especially challenging, so Chlorella could help.
Let’s look at some of the established health benefits of Chlorella: although they’re numbered below, they’re in no special order.
A vital consideration: if you’re uncertain whether Chlorella could benefit you, or you take medications, visit your doctor and get advice before you add this supplement to your diet.
1. The biggest benefit of Chlorella: good nutrition
If you’re missing meals and are concerned about your diet, Chlorella offers a simple way to bolster it. Not only does it offer numerous elements you need for good health, these elements are easily absorbed by your body.
If you’re pregnant or are hoping to become pregnant, chlorella’s iron and folate are absorbed well, but do get your doctor’s advice before taking it.
2. Packed with antioxidants, Chlorella could boost your immune system
An eight-week clinical study on healthy people in Korea (2) showed that Chlorella boosted their immune-system response.
This response could be due to Chlorella’s rich supply of antioxidants (3). However, more research on Chlorella’s antioxidants is needed.
As its name suggests, Chlorella contains chlorophyll, a powerful antioxidant. In addition, it also contains other antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene. Ultimately, antioxidants control free radicals, harmful molecules, which can lead to inflammation: this is the precursor of many diseases.
Research shows that the antioxidant violaxanthin in Chlorella is especially effective against inflammation. (Violaxanthin is a carotenoid compound.)
3. Concerned about cholesterol? Chlorella may help
Some studies have shown that Chlorella can help to lower harmful (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides which could cause a buildup of plague in your arteries. (4)
Additionally, a study on chlorella’s effects on arterial stiffness—a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease—showed that Chlorella decreased arterial stiffness. (5)
However, many more studies on Chlorella’s effects on cholesterol and arteries are needed.
In the meantime, if you’re concerned about cholesterol, get your doctor’s advice on taking a Chlorella supplement.
Side effects of Chlorella: get advice, especially if you’re on medications
Although most people can take Chlorella without experiencing any ill effects, do consult your doctor. Side effects can include nausea, and an upset tummy.
If you suffer from allergies, or take medications, it’s especially important to consult your doctor. Some people are allergic to supplements derived from algae.
When you introduce chlorella to your diet, start slowly with less than the recommended dosage suggested on the product’s label.
Powdered Chlorella may be easier to consume than tablets, and gives you additional options for making it a healthy addition to your family’s diet.
How to make Chlorella part of your diet every day
If you’re considering a Chlorella supplement, how much should you take, and how should you take it?
Since it’s a food, rather than a drug, there aren’t any firm guidelines for how much chlorella you should take. Check the label on chlorella supplements. Tablets vary in strength. In powdered form, it’s commonly suggested to take one to three teaspoons of Chlorella each day for good health.
Easy ways to make powdered Chlorella part of your diet include:
Add it to vegetable juices and smoothies;
Sprinkle it over soups and stews;
Use it to enrich baked goods.
Yaeyama Pacifica Chlorella is nutritionally superior
When choosing any supplement, knowing where the product is sourced from is important to the purity and potency of the ingredients.
The Yaeyama Pacifica Chlorella strain is nutritionally superior, delivering higher levels of chlorophyll, Chlorella Grown Factor (CGF), protein, RNA, DNA and antioxidants, making it measurably the world’s purest and most nutrient-rich Chlorella. Selected over 40 years ago and grown continuously with a patented ‘outdoor growing system’, Yaeyama Pacifica Chlorella provides a trustworthy product whose benefits are un-affected by pollution and destructive processing.
