Discovered in 19th century, Chlorella is a small, green algae cultivated in fresh water and has grown to be known as a “complete” food. It has become a popular food supplement particularly in Japan and now increasingly in the United States.
The health benefits of Chlorella owe to the fact that it contains the highest levels of chlorophyll found in a plant source along with significant amounts of protein, iron, vitamin B12, beta-carotene, and 19 amino acids. It boasts of being a food source with the highest-known levels of RNA and DNA and as such, it can be used for repairing the cell’s genetic material. Chlorella is also being proclaimed as a remedy for high blood pressure.
Chlorella is also known to boost immunity as it is believed to increase T-cell activity and macrophages. These large cells protect against infection by removing waste products, harmful microorganisms, and toxins from the blood stream. With the increase in T-cells and macrophage comes an increase in interferon.
In some studies, chlorella also benefitted patients with fibromyalgia. Chlorella is also known to improve the digestive abilities of humans as it has a strong cell wall which the human digestive system cannot adequately break down. To facilitate maximum absorption and benefit, the cell wall must be broken before consumption.