BENEFITS OF SPIRULINA AND CHLORELLA

Whether it be to improve health, detoxify the body of heavy metals, or to simply boost mineral and electrolyte consumption; algaebased products such as spirulina and chlorella —have become a supplemental staple in the lives of many health-conscious consumers. And although each provides numerous benefits on its own, the spirulina and chlorella benefits when taken together are even greater.

Originating in freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers and ponds, spirulina is a consumable cyanobacteria that grows in the form of algae. Historically, it has been consumed as a food item, and more recently, in supplemental form to aid with health and contribute to daily nutritional needs. Known for its nutritionally dense profile, spirulina can be considered one of the most complete food items that exists. The consumption of spirulina as a food item dates all the way back to the 1600s when it was used by the Aztecs and other Mesoamericans. Chlorella is a single-celled green algae that also grows in freshwater bodies. Unlike spirulina though, the cellular walls of chlorella are indigestible to humans, so it must be broken down, processed, and taken in supplement form to reap the nutritional benefits.

Although they’re both freshwater algae, spirulina and chlorella benefits can differ when taken on their own, and for a variety of reasons.

For one, chlorella contains more iron per serving and has a higher percentage of its fat calories from omega-3 fatty acids, but spirulina is higher in protein and potassium. Another area where the spirulina and chlorella benefits differ is when it comes to vitamin B12. Chlorella contains significant amounts of B12 per serving, whereas spirulina only contains trace amounts of a form of B12 that is ineffective in humans.

The primary spirulina and chlorella benefit you’ll enjoy when taken together are the protein and potassium that spirulina is packed with, as well as the iron and omega-3 content of chlorella.

One major benefit of including spirulina in your diet is that it is relatively high in protein per serving. Protein serves many functions in the body, but its main responsibility is in repairing muscle tissue that has been broken down from physical activities, such as exercise and sports.

Spirulina and chlorella may be great sources of protein, but what may be even more impressive is that those proteins contain a complete profile of essential amino acids.

Most plant-based sources of protein contain incomplete proteins on their own. This can be problematic for those following vegan or vegetarian diets and not combining different plant-based protein sources to get complete proteins. Thanks to the amino acid content of the protein in chlorella, pairing it with spirulina can provide plant-based dieters with a complete protein source.

Fibre is another benefit you’ll enjoy when taking spirulina and chlorella together.

In short, fibre is an indigestible carbohydrate that cannot be broken down by the body into sugar.

Iron is an essential mineral that is mostly responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the body. A diet lacking in iron can lead to several health ailments, such as anaemia, shortness of breath, and brittle nails. Another benefit to be reaped from combining spirulina and chlorella is the potassium content of each.

Potassium is a mineral and essential electrolyte that is partially responsible for controlling the electrical pulses in the body, along with a variety of other bodily functions, such as hydration and central nervous system function. When supplemented, potassium has been shown to reduce blood pressure readings in patients with normal sodium intake.

Copper is an essential mineral that plays a role in maintaining your metabolism. It also contributes to bone health and central nervous system function.

Thanks to the copper content in spirulina and the mineral-rich nature of algae in general, you’ll have an easier time reaching your daily needs when combining spirulina and chlorella together.

One of the biggest challenges one may face when pursuing a vegan or vegetarian diet is finding food sources that contain vitamin B12. Chlorella does indeed deliver vitamin B12, the B12 content found in spirulina is psuedovitamin B12 and has not been shown to be effective in humans.

There’s no question that the spirulina and chlorella benefits are plentiful, but one of the more impressive feats would be the vitamin A content.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for vision, immune system function, and organ health. Much like vitamin A, vitamin E is also a fat-soluble vitamin. However, it functions as an antioxidant in the body, helping it rid itself of free radicals and other harmful compounds.

Another advantage you’ll enjoy when combining spirulina and chlorella is the additional omega-3 fatty acids to be had.

Omega-3s are a family of essential fatty acids that your body needs but cannot produce. Adding them to your diet can reduce inflammation in the body.

Although both algae do contain omega-3 fatty acids, a higher percentage of chlorella’s fat calories are from omega-3s. This means that when taking spirulina, you can increase your intake of these healthy fats by combining it with chlorella. The final benefit you’ll be happy to reap when taking spirulina and chlorella together is the modest amount of zinc content. Zinc is another essential mineral; however, it is mostly known for its effect on the immune system. A deficiency in zinc can lead to increased susceptibility to infection.

As indicated by the mountain of evidence — only a fraction of which we’ve touched on in this post — the spirulina and chlorella benefits can be profound when taken together. It is quite remarkable that such a tiny volume of food can pack as much nutrition as it does.

Algae, such as spirulina and chlorella, are some of the most nutritionally dense food sources on the plant. In fact, algae have even been discussed by NASA as a potential source of nutrition for the long journeys astronauts may embark on in the future.

On their own, spirulina and chlorella are each nutritional powerhouses in their own regard. However, when combined, the benefits are compounded.