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Chlorella is a type of algae, similar to spirulina, that is commonly made into food or nutritional supplements. Over the last few years, promising research has highlighted several health benefits to using chlorella on a daily basis.
However, since chlorella has a hard cell wall, humans cannot digest it, which means you need to use it as a supplement to reap its benefits. Currently, it is available in capsule, tablet, or powder form.
With so many chlorella supplements on the market, it can be difficult to determine which supplements are the most effective and safest. If you’re looking for a chlorella supplement, then look no further.
Our research team has researched hundreds of chlorella supplements and has found the top chlorella supplements for 2024. These are the best chlorella supplements for 2024 and beyond.
Best Chlorella Supplements of 2024
Simple Life Nutrition Organic Chlorella Capsules
Our #1 rated chlorella product is Simple Life Nutrition’s premium organic chlorella capsules, available on Amazon.com. Each capsule contains 500mg of pure broken wall chlorella powder sourced and manufactured right here in the United States.
Everything about Simple Life’s chlorella capsules checks the boxes in our list. Their chlorella capsules are certified organic, contain broken cell wall chlorella, and are made right here in the United States. Plus, they have third-party labs test their chlorella to ensure there are no artificial ingredients or heavy metals found in their product.
Sunfood Chlorella Tablets
Sunfood mentions their chlorella tablets are certified organic and made with premium chlorella powder. They are competitively priced compared to the other supplements on our list. Overall, they are a great choice and alternative to Simple Life’s chlorella capsules.
NOW Supplements Chlorella 1000MG
Each container has 200 chewable tablets made with premium chlorella for around $25. There is no rise flour, artificial ingredients, or fillers added to NOW chlorella tablets, and it is verified to be both vegan, non-GMO, and kosher.
Overall, NOW Supplements chlorella is a great alternative choice, especially if you use some of the other supplements NOW sells.
Micro Ingredients Organic Chlorella Powder
Micro Ingredients uses USDA-certified organic chlorella, manufacturers using heat only to preserve nutrients, and harvests from non-contaminated water. The big one will cost you around $30, which is a little more expensive than other products. However, given the quality of the product still makes Micro Ingredients one of the best bulk chlorella supplements on the market.
Sun Chlorella USA
Sun Chlorella also uses a unique manufacturing process to ensure their products are the most digestible to ensure your body can absorb all of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Sun Chlorella has been around since 1969 and they are considered to be one of the best chlorella sellers in the business. Their products are a bit more expensive than many other competitors. However, the quality of the chlorella is still outstanding.
Fresh Healthcare Chlorella Powder Capsules
Fresh Healthcare Organic Chlorella, offered on Amazon, is a powder that comes in 600mg capsules. According to the ingredient label, chlorella pyrenoidosa is the species of chlorella used, and it is routinely checked for heavy metals and toxic materials.
Overall, there is nothing too special about Fresh Healthcare’s organic chlorella powder capsules. Their capsules are a solid choice, although we think Sunfood or Simple Life Nutrition’s products are a better choice.
Onnit Spirulina & Chlorella Capsules
If you’re looking to combine the two healthiest known types of algae- chlorella and spirulina, then Onnit Spirulina & Chlorella capsules is a fantastic choice. Each capsule is packed with 250mg of chlorella and spirulina. The recommended dose is 4 capsules per day and according to Onnit, their products are third-party tested to ensure their potency and quality.
Onnit is one of the best supplement manufacturers with dozens of endorsements by medical professionals and athletes, so there’s a solid choice If you’re looking to combine spirulina and chlorella.
How We Ranked the Best Chlorella Supplements of 2024
Before we compiled our list of the best chlorella supplements, we researched over 50 different chlorella tablets, capsules, powders, or extracts. When compiling our top supplements, we relied on a number of factors to determine which are the best. These were our main ranking factors.
Ingredient Quality
Ingredient quality will make or break a supplement. With regards to chlorella, we looked for products that sourced their chlorella primarily in the United States or Japan. These two countries tend to grow the best chlorella with the most nutrients.
We also looked for supplements that used broken-cell wall chlorella. Since chlorella has a hard cell wall, the human body cannot digest it well. Therefore, the cell wall needs to be broken in order for you to absorb all of its nutrients.
Place of Production
Not only did we look for products that were sourced from the United States, but we also wanted them to be manufactured in the United States too. The United States has the strictest quality control standards for supplement manufacturing. Since chlorella can be contaminated with heavy metals, it is important to have a product manufactured in the United States because it will require testing for heavy metals.
Organic Certification
Organic chlorella is a must because synthetic chemicals are often used to stimulate the growth of algae. These chemicals can remain in the alga and then enter the human body, causing tissue damage and harm. Organic chlorella requires no use of these synthetic chemicals to stimulate the growth of alga. This is why organic certification is very important.
Pricing & Guarantee
Chlorella is easy to grow and relatively easy to manufacture, therefore it remains one of the more inexpensive natural supplements. A high-quality chlorella supplement should only cost between $15 – $25 for a one-month supply. Prices outside this range may mean you are being scammed by either a price-gouging company or a company using inferior chlorella.
Likewise, every product on our list had a clear, easy-to-understand return policy. We looked for products with at least a 30-day money-back guarantee so you have plenty of time to try the product risk-free without losing your money.
Customer Reviews
At the end of the day, it was important to get an impression of what real customers were experiencing while taking chlorella products. We looked for products with mostly positive reviews, but not with reviews that seemed staged or faked. We also looked for specific benefits claimed by customers to get an impression of how well they were experiencing the many benefits of chlorella.
Who Should Use a Chlorella Supplement?
Since chlorella has a wide range of benefits, it can be used by virtually anybody looking to improve their health. If you’re a healthy adult over the age of 18, then there’s plenty of reasons to add chlorella to your daily regimen.
However, if you are under the age of 18, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking prescription blood thinners, then you should probably avoid taking chlorella because it may cause unforeseen complications.
In general, you may want to take chlorella if:
- You want to detox from heavy metals
- You need immune support
- You have high blood pressure or cholesterol
- You want to improve your athletic performance
Even if you don’t fit into any of these categories, chlorella can still be beneficial. It has a wide range of health benefits and is proven to support your overall health and wellness.
Science-Backed Benefits of Chlorella
Chlorella is said to have several benefits ranging from weight loss to heavy metal detoxification. However, some of the claims made by supplement companies are excessive and may not be true. With that said, chlorella does have plenty of health benefits backed by real studies.
Here’s are the most common science-backed benefits of chlorella:
Chlorella is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients
Chlorella is between 50-60% protein. It’s also considered a complete protein, which means it contains all nine essential amino acids. Chlorella also contains up to 40% of the RDA for iron and vitamin C, which help your body absorb iron. It also contains a decent amount of magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium, copper, folic acid, and several other B vitamins.
There is a wide range of antioxidants found in chlorella as well. Finally, chlorella is an excellent source of omega-3s. Just 3 grams of chlorella possesses roughly 100mg of omega 3s.
Chlorella can bind to heavy metals
One of the main health benefits of chlorella is its ability to bind to heavy metals to help you “detox.” Certain metals like lead and cadmium can be toxic and cause severe tissue damage. Studies have found that chlorella can bind to heavy metals or other toxins and eliminate them from the body. This is why chlorella is especially useful for those who work in mining or are exposed to air pollution.
Chlorella can enhance your immunity
The antioxidants found in chlorella can enhance your immune system function. In one small, eight-week study, participants taking chlorella showed significant markers of increased immune activity. Another study found that men taking chlorella produced more antibodies when exposed to a cold virus than those given a placebo.
Chlorella can reduce your cholesterol levels
High cholesterol affects roughly one in three adults living in the United States. High cholesterol can cause your arteries to harden, increase your blood pressure, and increase your risk for a heart attack. Studies have found that chlorella may reduce total cholesterol, specifically LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It may also prevent the hardening of arteries.
Cholesterol can stabilize blood pressure levels
High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for developing heart disease. Numerous studies have found that chlorella can significantly reduce your blood pressure. In one study, adults taking chlorella for 12 weeks saw a statistically significant decrease in blood pressure levels than the placebo group. Another study found that chlorella could prevent stiffness in the arteries and prevent hardening.
Chlorella can improve blood sugar levels
High blood sugar can lead to diabetes, a life-long health condition with potentially several negative adverse effects. Chlorella may help lower fasting blood sugar levels and may increase insulin sensitivity in patients with fatty liver disease.
Chlorella may enhance aerobic endurance
Chlorella may help you improve your endurance during athletic events. In one study, adults taking chlorella showed a significantly improved ability to saturate their lungs with oxygen, which is a measure of endurance. Researchers believe the branched-chain amino acids found in chlorella are responsible for this improvement.
Chlorella Side Effects & Dosage
Chlorella has a GRAS status with the FDA, which means the FDA has labeled it as “generally recognized as safe.” This means that the FDA has not found any serious adverse effects when taking the supplement.
However, with that said, chlorella can potentially cause a few side effects, especially during the first few days of use. In general, the two most common side effects experienced are nausea and abdominal discomfort. Headache and indigestion are also possible.
In general, chlorella is tolerated very well and will not likely have any negative impact on your health. However, certain groups should likely avoid chlorella. For example, since chlorella stimulates the immune system, it may not be appropriate for those with immunodeficiency conditions or those on immune system medications.
Likewise, pregnant or nursing mothers should likely avoid chlorella simply because the effects are not exactly known. It is not to say that chlorella is unsafe, but rather the effects just simply aren’t known.
Recommended dosage
There is no recommended dosage for chlorella currently. That’s because there is an insufficient amount of evidence available to see what dosage is needed for the therapeutic effects. Therefore, we have to look at the doses used in clinical studies.
In general, most clinical studies have used a dose between 2-3 grams per day, which has shown promise to improve your health in a variety of ways. Therefore, a supplement with this dose seems ideal. However, finding a higher quality supplement is more important because a higher quality supplement with a lower dose is still more likely to help you than a low-quality product with a higher dose.
This is why it is important to find a product that has been 3rd party tested, is sourced and made in the United States, and has a vibrant, dark green color.
Best Chlorella Supplements of 2024 FAQ
Q. What exactly is chlorella?
A: Chlorella is a green alga composed of one single eukaryotic cell. It grows primarily in fresh water and is the most abundant source of chlorophyll that we know of. There are several different species of chlorella but Chlorella Vulgaris is the most studied and widely used species in dietary supplements and cosmetic products.
Since the cell wall of the algae is closed, it must be broken in order for your body to absorb its nutrients and antioxidants. This is why chlorella supplements come in the form of broken wall capsules, extracts, tablets, and powders.
Q. Who should take chlorella?
A: Based on the nutrient portfolio and reported health benefits of chlorella, it’s fair to say that virtually anybody can benefit from taking chlorella. However, there are some groups that may find chlorella more beneficial than others:
- Individuals with high blood pressure, cholesterol, or high blood sugar
- Athletes or bodybuilders looking to improve their endurance
- Adults looking to “detox” from heavy metals or other toxins
- Adults looking for a rich plant source of protein
Even if you don’t fit any of these categories, chlorella may still be able to help improve your overall health because of its’ vast number of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Q. What kind of nutrients does chlorella possess?
A: Like most other types of algae, chlorella is full of many nutrients. Protein makes up roughly 60% of chlorella making it one of the best plant sources for protein.
In addition to protein, chlorella is rich in a number of other nutrients. It is a rich source of iron, B-complex vitamins, magnesium, copper, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C. It is also a rich source of carotenoids and is the richest source of chlorophyll known to man.
Q. What’s the difference between spirulina and chlorella?
A: Chlorella and spirulina are two types of algae commonly used for their nutritional benefits. They are both said to have numerous health benefits, such as lowering the risk of heart disease and improving blood sugar management.
The main difference between the two is their nutritional portfolio. Spirulina has a slightly higher concentration of protein, which is why NASA has used spirulina as a dietary supplement for their astronauts. However, chlorella has a higher level of polyunsaturated fats, antioxidants, vitamin A, riboflavin, iron, magnesium, and zinc than spirulina.
Chlorella is also more likely to improve athletic performance than spirulina because it is rich in arginine and BCAAs. Spirulina on the other hand may support digestion, have anti-cancer properties, and may improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Both of these types of algae are similar, which is why they are often used together. If you are unsure which is right for you, then it is best to talk to your doctor before trying any of these products.
Q. Are chlorella supplements safe?
A: For the most part, chlorella supplements are safe and tolerated very well. In some cases, indigestion, nausea, and abdominal discomfort. These side effects are typically very mild but can be disruptive if you have an underlying medical condition.
Lower quality chlorella supplements are more likely to cause side effects. This is why it is important to find a product sourced and manufactured in the United States. Third-party lab certifications should also be available so you know that your chlorella supplement is free of heavy metals and other toxins.
As far as the dose goes, it’s best to start with a lower dose of chlorella before working up to a larger dose. This should help you gauge your tolerance and to see if chlorella is right for you.
Q. What should I look for in a chlorella supplement?
A: Chlorella supplements vary in form, quality, and price. In general, it is important to know what you need to look for before buying a product.
Since chlorella can bind to heavy metals and chemicals during the growing process, it is important to find a supplement that can verify that it contains no heavy metals through third-party testing.
Secondly, organic certification is important because it means that the product was grown without the use of dangerous chemicals or pesticides.
Third, you should find a chlorella supplement that uses broken-wall chlorella. Since chlorella has a hard cell wall, the cell wall needs to be broken so that your body can digest it. Otherwise, you may not be able to digest it and absorb all of the nutrients.
Finally, it is best to find a product sourced and manufactured right here in the United States. The US has the strictest manufacturing protocols and quality controls for supplements and therefore you are more likely to buy a safe product if it is manufactured and sourced right here in the US.
Q. Where can I buy chlorella?
A: Thanks to the growing popularity of chlorella, it has become readily available in health food stores, big-box retailers, and online retailers. In general, online retailers tend to sell better quality chlorella, although this is not always the case.
You can typically find chlorella in three main forms – tablets, capsules, or powders. Powders are best for those looking for a bulk chlorella supplement. Capsules or tablets are a better choice if you’re looking for a simple, convenient way to use chlorella.
Best Chlorella Supplements of 2024 Final Recap
Chlorella is one of the most nutritious plant supplements and its’ widely available in health stores and online. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, and plenty of antioxidants to help support your overall health.
Whether you’re looking for blood sugar control, blood pressure support, heavy metal detox, immune support, or just to improve your overall wellness, then you can benefit by taking a chlorella supplement.
If you’re currently in the market for a chlorella supplement, then look no further. Order the #1 organic chlorella supplement available online, Simple Life Nutrition Organic Chlorella Capsules!
