Editor’s note: This post was originally published in October 2016. It has been updated and republished in August 2019.
Chlorella may be one of the most powerful foods in the world recognized for its superfood status. Chlorella is a single-celled green algae that contains healing benefits beyond its nutrient components. This microspecies is consumed around the globe to stimulate immunity and promote detoxification.
A global population spike in the late 1940s into the 50s led researchers to investigate potential high quality, affordable nutrition sources. Much of this research was supported by the concern that the needs of the human race would outweigh the food supply, thus spiking fear of a potential hunger crisis. Algae such as chlorella were singled out as a potential food source and therefore received much of the attention.
Chlorella Has Tremendous Nutrient Density
Chlorella is extremely nutrient dense, packed with minerals, amino acids, trace minerals, chlorophyll, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, and several cellular building blocks of proper nutrition. Centuries of changing environmental conditions have made chlorella highly adaptable in order to survive such extreme conditions. Many of these unique elements benefit us as well, such as the plant-based antibiotic chlorellan and the carotenoid sporopollenin.
The highest concentrated source of pure chlorophyll is found in chlorella. Chlorophyll is an extreme health-benefiting nutrient as it detoxifies the blood supporting the flow of oxygen more efficiently throughout the body. Chlorophyll also removes industrial pollutants, mold, and other toxins from the body. The magnesium found in chlorophyll assists in brain and nervous function while suppressing the toxic buildup of carcinogens in the central nervous system.
Chlorella is an Excellent Detoxifier
Chlorophyll is clearly much more than a pigment that gives dark leafy greens and green algae their rich green color. The PPAR receptor found inside the nucleus of cells is activated by chlorophyll. This receptor is used in the transcription phase of coding specific DNA factors which promote the opening of the cell membrane.
This process is key for the removal of toxic substances within cells and for the regulation of insulin resistance. Chlorella also contains zinc, GLA, and essential nutrients which promote healthy cell membranes and insulin receptor sites.
Sporopollenin is a phytonutrient richly found in chlorella. This nutrient is understood to bind to neurotoxic waste more effectively than any other natural substance known. It has the ability to detox the body from biotoxins such as tuberculosis, lyme disease, tetanus toxins, and mold.
Sporopollenin is also known to detoxify industrial waste and other xenobiotics such as dioxins, pesticides, and phyltates. Heavy metals like aluminum, nickel, lead, and mercury bind to sporopollenin and are removed from the body along with processed food agents like artificial flavorings and colorings.
Chlorella Increases Glutathione Levels
Glutathione is referred to as a master antioxidant in part because it has the ability to scavenge free radicals and boost the antioxidant activity of vitamin C and E. Chlorella acts as a switch to turn on the intracellular concentrations of reduced glutathione stimulating natural detoxification processes. When glutathione levels are low, the body is more susceptible to stress and the accumulation of carcinogenic agents within cells. Increasing glutathione levels effectively stimulates the removal of toxic build-up.
Chlorella contains a fibrous mucopolysaccharide membrane wall that naturally binds to toxins. To improve the bioavailability of this nutrient in chlorella, the outer cell wall should be cracked slightly during the manufacturing process.
Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF)
Chlorella can quadruple in quantity every 20 hours making it the fastest growing plant in the world. This is due to a substance called chlorella growth factor (CGF) that is programmed into its DNA.
CGF is made up of a combination of nutrients such as glycoproteins, amino acids, and B vitamins. Such nutrients are able to produce a synergistic effect in repairing, healing, and boosting tissue growth. Some researchers may go as far to say that CGF is the healthiest known substance in nutritional science.
Chlorella Inhibits Cancer Cell Activity
Disease is frequently a result of high risk factors which an individual may be exposed to over a lifetime. Cancer is no different and is closely related to the metabolic complications that arise from other diseases. For this reason researchers have studied the effects of chlorella on patients at an increased risk for disease based on their lifestyles.
Researchers found that chlorella is significantly associated with lowering body fat, improving cholesterol levels, and reducing fasting blood glucose levels. They also found that chlorella intake improved activity of metabolic enzymes, cytokines, and several genes involved in fat metabolism and insulin response pathways.
Chlorella Improves Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Chlorella has been used in clinical trials to improve symptoms associated with breast cancer including skin conditions and fatigue. When chlorella extract was consumed daily for one month, researchers found that the certain nutrients in chlorella such as its polysaccharides and natural sugars help to regulate a healthy balance between NK cells and killer T-cells. These findings support that chlorella has the ability to protect against inflammation and infection.
Chlorella Exhibits Chemoprevention Activity
The use of chlorella extract to inhibit the development of malignant activity has been studied in several cancers. Chlorella is shown to suppress the new generation of blood vessels required by cancer cells in order to grow. Individuals with glioma and liver cancer have reported an improvement in the quality of life and survival time when taking dietary chlorella. Another study showed that chlorella has an inverse relationship with cervical cancer cells. As the dose of chlorella increases, the activity of carcinogenic activity is exhibited in human cervical cancer cells is reduced.
Relatively new science also suggests that specific compounds derived from chlorella may be used topically to prevent and possibly treat skin cancers. Ultraviolet radiation exposure damages cells in skin and causes photoaging. Although clinical testing still needs to be conducted, chlorella may be a future chemopreventive agent used to repair sun damaged DNA.
How to Use Chlorella
You can purchase and use chlorella in a powder form and in capsules and tablets. It is advisable to begin with a smaller dosage and work your way up over a week or two to the dosages recommended below.
Do not take vitamin C at the same time as chlorella as the vitamin C may weaken the chelation binding capacity of the chlorella. It is recommended to not take more than 200 mg of vitamin C within 3 hours of using chlorella. If doing IV vitamin C, than give it 6 hours before using chlorella.
Chlorella is best when spread over multiple doses throughout the day if possible and taken on an empty stomach to help the body to assimilate all the nutrients. If you are going to take it all at once, it is best to do early in the day as it is slightly stimulating and may keep you awake if you take it at night.
Recommended Dosages
Adults: 1-2 teaspoons (3-4 g)
Children: 1 teaspoon (1-2 g)
Tablets (500mg)
Adults: 6-8 tabs (3-4 grams)
Children: 2-4 tabs (1-2 grams)
Capsules (600mg)
Adults: 5-7 caps (3-4 grams)
You can use the powder in water or in a smoothie. If you use it in a smoothie, remember it does have a strong flavor. You will probably enjoy it more by mixing it into green juices or water.
Capsules or tablets can be split up and taken 2-3 times throughout the day.
Avoid adding chlorella to hot drinks or any sort of dish that is going to be cooked, baked, or heated as it will denature and destroy the nutritional benefits of the chlorella.
It is possible that you may experience diarrhea, gas, bloating, or a mild headache when starting chlorella due to its powerful ability to mobilize bodily toxins. These symptoms are normal and should go away in a few days. This is why it is best to start with half the recommended dosage and work up.
If symptoms remain for more than a week, then cut the dosage in half and see if they remain. If symptoms persist then discontinue usage and consult with your health care practitioner.
Article Summary
Chlorella is a single-celled green algae that contains substantial healing benefits beyond its nutrient components.
Many consider it one of the world’s best superfoods. Chlorella is extremely nutrient dense, packed with minerals, amino acids, trace minerals, chlorophyll, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, and several cellular building blocks of proper nutrition.
Chlorophyll (the pigment found in plants that gives them their rich green color) is an extreme health-benefiting nutrient. The highest concentrated source of pure chlorophyll is found in chlorella.
Researchers found that chlorella is significantly associated with lowering body fat, improving cholesterol levels, and reducing fasting blood glucose levels. They also found that chlorella intake improved activity of metabolic enzymes, cytokines, and several genes involved in fat metabolism and insulin response pathways.
Chlorella is shown to suppress the new generation of blood vessels required by cancer cells in order to grow. Individuals with glioma and liver cancer have reported an improvement in the quality of life and survival time when taking dietary chlorella. It’s also been studied for its effects on cervical cancer and skin cancer.
Chlorella can be purchased in a powder form and in capsules and tablets. It is advisable to begin with a smaller dosage and work your way up over a week or two to the dosages recommended in the article.
This is a good article. Where can you get chlorella tablets? Can you get them at Whole Foods or the Nutrition House? If I took chlorella tablets, would it prevent me from getting breast cancer and any other sort of cancers?
I mix 1 part Chlorella Powder with 2 parts Spirulina Powder then add that to a mixture of organic lemon juice, organic maple syrup, 1/2 part Moringa leaf powder. The lemon juice and maple syrup make it actually tasty. Still looks bad though. Other times I will add to that some Grape Skin Powder, Maqui Berry Powder, Aloe Vera Powder, Wheatgrass Juice Powder. Green Acerola Cherry Powder, and 30 Fermented Veg and Fruit Powder. Believe me, that one is a powerhouse drink!
Good question!! I am interested in an educated reply.
You can purchase it at iherb.com, and many other supplement sites.
How can we gain regular access to this chlorella?
A question: it was stated not to take with vitamin c, but later on it said to squeeze fresh lime juice in with the water. Is it because there is not enough vitamin c in limes for it not to matter? Just curious.
Yes, just avoid taking with high doses of vitamin C
Thank you for the very informative article on chlorella. I was shocked to read that it should be taken on an empty stomach and not taken with vitamin C. I have always mixed my green powder containing either Chlorophyll and/or CHLORELLA with my Vit C powder for ease of taking and better taste. I’ve never read nor heard that before. In regards to taking on an empty stomach, how long before, or after food, do you recommend. I will have to get a new routine for taking them separately as I believe it is best for both to be taken in the morning. Thanks
Yes, most people don’t realize that vitamin C will loosen the binding power of chlorella. So if you take vitamin C with it, you will still get the anti-oxidant power of the chlorella, but not the chelation effect.
Txs about the vitamin C tip. I usually take the chlorella with freshly queezed orange juice. I consume the spirulina the same way. What is your opinion on that? Thanks.
There seems to be a lot of concerns about the quality of chlorella on the market and the fact that it often comes from questionably healthy sources…e.g. contaminated by heavy metals etc….can you comment?
What brand do you recommend?
Hi,
I’m have stage 4 breast cancer and have bn on low dose chemo for 2 months along with oxidation, ozone and 50000mg iV vit c. Can I take cholera , if so when and how .it has spread to my spine, kidney and right underarm lymph nodes. I also do lymphatic drainage.
Thank you.
Dale South Africa
Hi Dale –
We appreciate you reaching out to us about this.
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis – I’ll be sure to pray for you.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give any kind of medical advice. The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global series.
Please note that we are not able to select an expert for you.
We’ve created a page with the experts’ contact info as it was available to us.
Here’s the link to the actual webpage:
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
We do have one more resource you may be interested in. During our Live Event 2017 series, Dr. Patrick Quillin suggested contacting The Institute of Functional Medicine to locate a practitioner in your area.
If you are interested, here is the link to search for a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
I’m also attaching the info about the Hope4Cancer clinic in Tijuana, MX if you’d like to reach out to them.
http://www.hope4cancer.com/
https://hope4cancer.com/schedule-a-call/
Please also see the resources below in case they will be helpful to you.
From our beginning, we have supported charities that really help these cancer patients.
HealingStrong:
http://healingstrong.com/
https://www.facebook.com/healingstrong
HealingStrong supports MANY cancer patients and are amazing. HealingStrong, a nonprofit organization, is supported 100% by volunteers, who are experienced in using natural strategies. The organization’s mission is to educate, encourage, equip, and empower those seeking comprehensive natural strategies to heal strong and stay strong.
HealingStrong Connect Groups meet monthly in various areas of the U.S. and South Australia to link others interested in natural strategies, holistic protocols, and local resources. Their groups focus on mind, body and emotional healing based on Biblical promises, as they believe the God of the Bible is our healer. For more information on how to start a group, or become involved in one, please go to: http://www.healingstrong.org/groups, and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healingstrong.
Cancer Crackdown is so awesome and helps patients without a lot of money get supplements and treatments and even helps them raise money:
http://cancercrackdown.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CancerCrackdown
Also, the Independent Cancer Research Foundation is another charity that we support, also known as Cancer Tutor. They have been a TREMENDOUS help for cancer patients and have a TON of life saving information they give out freely and they do real research into treatments for cancer that are outside of the toxic Big Pharma Big 3:
http://www.theicrf.com/
The best that we can suggest is to contact Healing Strong and Cancer Crackdown for any need in financial resources.
We also support Mary Beth’s “Nick Gonzalez Foundation” which is bringing Nick’s protocol to the people…which is one of the most powerful cancer killing protocols out there.
I hope this is helpful! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us again if there’s anything else we can help with.
Wishing you endless blessings and love!
What a soul and brilliance drjockers you and your org.are, for taking time to lay out all these precious informations a cancer patient and family will need.As a stage iv
Thyroid cancer person myself your talks and teachings on You Tube,seminars etc have helped me tremendiously to lead a healthy and joyful life whiles l go through the journey in strides.God richly bless you and your Family and the works of your hands.THANK YOU.
Kate.N.Jersey.
That’s wonderful to hear, Kate!
Thanks so much for letting us know.
Blessings and love to you and your family! ❤️
I purchased 2 month’s supply of Chlorella and used it for one month – then my feet got bleeding wounds as if somebody had stabbed them many times. This was also very painful this lasted for 6 weeks and I tried to heal the wounds with Manuka honey and washed them off with vinegar the bleeding sopped and then started some lymph fluid leaking – I had a nurse attending these injuries for 4 months and after that my skin was tough and hard. I figured this whole episode out by reasoning that I have metal screw and plate implants in my feet which had been broken and the Chlorella attached itself to these metals but the metals did not want to expelled from my body – so the Chlorella is still there for over 5 or more years – I guess. This happened in my feet but I shudder to think of anybody who has meta implants anywhere else in their body
Can chlorella be consumed if you have cavity fillings or capped teeth (stainless steel)? I would really like to use this, but sadly, my teeth are filled with metals 🙁
Great article thank you!
How long should we use chlorella for? Just for a few months per year during seasonal changes for instance or it is ok to take it all year around?
Thank you again!!
I have and have had chronic Endometriosis and was also just diagnosed with a rare chronic painful condition, Endosalpingiosis. What particular isolate eg CBDC (as according to John Easterling in TTAC summit 2019 for pain) and how much ratio THC would help the 11 1/2 yers of 24/7 chronic moderate to severe debilitating pain? Endometrial scar fusion also fused my vagina and bowel together and last year it was surgically dissected and repaired but I now have a very “kinky) bowel and it caused alot of pain as well and I take digestive enzymes, Magnesium Citrate and Colyxyl & Senna to aid perastalsis and digestion but this too has left me with chronic pain via spasms, painful grips and overall pain as well. Anything else I can do to aid the pain that has me bedridden for most of the day? Thank you so much
Sorry to hear that. I had endometriosis, had to have a hysterectomy. After to fact, I learned that this is typically caused by an estrogen dominance (pesticides from food, toxins from skin care and more act as estrogen in body). So cleaning up diet/ products along with a bio-identical progesterone (amazon) will balance this. Magnesium supplements and Epsom salt baths greatly reduce pain. Hope this helps
Anyone looking for a clean supply of this can go to health ranger store . He tests all his products before selling them to the public. I get my supplies from him only .