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If you are in the market for a quality chlorella supplement, you might probably agree with this statement:
With all of the chlorella brands our there, it is difficult to know which are the best chlorella supplements to get clean quality and a reasonable value.
In researching chlorella supplements, I discovered some surprising information that helped me understand the different types chlorella brands out there and which ones were the best for me. This chlorella article is a collection of my personal notes and might be of help to you if you are interested in taking this powerful and nutrition-packed supplement.
Best Chlorella Supplements – 2021 Review Guide
There is a lot to think about when choosing a chlorella supplement. What chlorella brands are reputable? Should I get a chlorella powder or tablet? Does it matter if the chlorella cell walls are cracked or not? Are more expensive chlorella brands worth it? Hopefully, this article covering the best chlorella supplements will help you on your journey to outstanding health with chlorella.
1. BioPure Organic Chlorella – Editor’s Choice
BioPure Organic Chlorella is a high-quality chlorella tablet supplement that is produced by BioPure. In the supplement world, BioPure is well-regarded as a reputable, ethical company focused on producing high-quality supplements sourced from organic, sustainable farms and using biodegradable packaging.
BioPure Organic Chlorella is 100% organic (certified). The chewable chlorella tablets consist of Chlorella pyrenoidosa grown in man-made ponds that are bathed in natural sunlight to enrich the chlorophyll in this chlorella. The ponds are also filled with highly ionized oxygenated fresh water to help enhance the potency of the chlorella used in BioPure Organic Chlorella. BioPure Organic Chlorella is popular with healthcare practitioners so do not be surprised if your integrative medicine practitioners stocks it.
To ensure cracked chlorella cell walls, BioPure Organic Chlorella supplements undergo a specialized pressure-based process. The chlorella used in BioPure Organic Chlorella is flash frozen and freeze dried to maintain quality and finishes its processing in certified GMP facilities. Once finished, BioPure Organic Chlorella is tested to be free of radiation and other impurities and is certified. BioPure Organic Chlorella is also free of binders, pesticides, preservatives, fillers, colors & flavors.
BioPure Organic Chlorella tablets are small and relatively easy to swallow and can also be chewed. The taste is mild, almost pleasant. Many users report higher levels of energy, less body odor, improved breath, and better skin and hair health. As with most quality chlorella supplements, this may be due to an overall detoxification process in the body.
BioPure Organic Chlorella comes with a higher price tag which might turn off people looking for the cheapest chlorella supplement out there. However, BioPure Organic Chlorella is worth the price given the quality of this chlorella supplement. Like most chlorella supplements, it is recommended that one eases into taking high doses of this chlorella brand.
Summary Points
BioPure Organic Chlorella is a high-quality, organic chlorella supplement popular with individuals and healthcare practitioners alike.
- High-quality, well-regarded chlorella supplement.
- Ethical, well-regarded company.
- More expensive on the scale of chlorella supplements.
2. Sun Potion Chlorella Powder – Best Chlorella Powder
Sun Potion Chlorella Powder is one to consider for anyone looking for a high-quality chlorella powder supplement (as opposed to tablets). Manufactured by a reputable brand, Sun Potion Chlorella Powder, like a number of other chlorella brands, uses chlorella algae sourced from Taiwan. Rather than using pressure to crack the chlorella cell walls, Sun Potion Chlorella Powder uses ultrasound technology which may help preserve additional nutrients in the algae.
Sun Potion Chlorella Powder is certified by the USDA and CCOF and is processed in the USA in FDA-approved, cGMP facilities. Vegan and gluten-free, Sun Potion Chlorella Powder is non-GMO in addition to being free of fillers and preservatives. Sun Potion Chlorella Powder comes packaged in a glass jar. The starting serving size of this chlorella powder is one teaspoon per day and it can be mixed into water, smoothies or sprinkled on foods. Because it is a chlorella powder instead of a chlorella tablet supplement, the serving sizes feel more reasonable. Sun Potion Chlorella Powder does not need to be refrigerated.
One of the best parts of Sun Potion Chlorella Powder is the guarantee. If you do not enjoy this chlorella powder product, just ask for your money back. While many chlorella brands stand behind their products, an explicit guarantee like this is always valuable.
Sun Potion Chlorella Powder does have a noticeable taste which can make it unpalatable for people when there are other chlorella brands out there that taste better. Most of the taste of this chlorella powder can be hidden if it is mixed into a smoothie or a flavorful food.
Summary Points
Sun Potion Chlorella Powder is a high-quality chlorella powder with an excellent, money-back guarantee.
- High-quality chlorella powder form.
- Excellent, money-back guarantee.
- Noticeable taste can be hard to hide.
3. Sunlit Chlorella Tablets – Organic Chlorella Tablets
Sunlit Chlorella Tablets hail from Taiwan which is where they produce chlorella for worldwide distribution. Sunlit Chlorella Tablets are 100% organic and are made from Chlorella pyrensoidosa. Sunlit Chlorella Tablets are produced in GMP facilities and utilize Taiwan-certified good manufacturing practices.
Sunlit Chlorella Tablets are 250mg and feature chlorella with cell walls which have been cracked using a flash expansion process. Some believe that this specific process, called micronization, is said to improve one’s ability to absorb all the goodies in a chlorella supplement. Sunlit Chlorella Tablets are free of binders, additives, artificial colors and fillers. Prior to hitting the market, Chlorella Tablets are tested by third-party laboratories to ensure that they contain no impurities, pesticides, or other microorganisms.
Sunlit Chlorella Tablets are a deep green color and are small enough that swallowing them should not be a problem for most people. These chlorella tablets might smell fishy to people with sensitive noses. After using Sunlit Chlorella Tablets, some people report boosts in energy in as soon as two weeks and a feeling that their bodies are being detoxified. Also, some people notice improvements in their skin and weight management.
Like other chlorella tablet supplements, the recommended daily dose of Sunlit Chlorella Tablets is large – 10+ tablets a day. While these chlorella tablets are small, this can be burdensome in people who do not like taking pills. Also, some people report symptoms of indigestion, including nausea and cramping, when taking Sunlit Chlorella Tablets. While these side effects might be related to Sunlit Chlorella Tablets, they may also be related to detoxification related to chlorella supplementation or taking too many pills before getting used to a regular chlorella supplement. It is something to pay attention to should you decide to try this chlorella supplement.
Summary Points
Sunlit Chlorella Tablets utilize high-quality sources and testing processes to provide a well-regarded chlorella tablet supplement.
- Popular, high-quality chlorella brand.
- Third-party testing for impurities.
- Recommended dosing is 10+ chlorella tablets per day.
- Some reports of gas and diarrhea when taking these chlorella tablets.
4. Sun Chlorella
Produced from chlorella sourced from Japan, Sun Chlorella is another chlorella tablet brand that originates from a company that has been around for some time.
Sun Chlorella takes pride in how it cracks the cell walls of its chlorella. While some companies reportedly use heat (which may damage some of the underlying nutrients) to crack the cell walls, Sun Chlorella takes pride in the fact that it does not do so. And, like other quality chlorella supplement brands, Sun Chlorella is non-GMO, gluten free and vegan.
Sun Chlorella tablets are also free of artificial colors, chemicals and flavors. The serving size for Sun Chlorella is also 12+ tablets per day, depending on your tolerance. This chlorella tablet supplement does not require refrigeration. Sun Chlorella tablets have a mild taste.
People using Sun Chlorella report improved mental clarity and energy levels. Other benefits of these chlorella tablets may include improved skin and hair health. Users also report less inflammation – particularly when it comes to fewer allergies or joint pain – when using Sun Chlorella tablets. Sun Chlorella may also boost the immune system in the process.
Sun Chlorella is on the higher side of cost when compared to other chlorella tablet brands.
Summary Points
Sun Chlorella is a chlorella tablet brand that provides cracked chlorella without heating during processing.
- Chlorella cells walls cracked without high heat.
- Chlorella supplement produced by established company.
- On the expensive side when compared to similar chlorella tablet brands.
5. HealthForce Chlorella Manna – Best Tasting Chlorella
Chlorella Manna is made by HealthForce Superfoods, a company which has produced a range of quality supplements for over two decades. Chlorella Manna appears to be another quality addition in their line of supplements.
HealthForce Chlorella Manna is an organic chlorella powder from Taiwan that is free of fillers and binders. HealthForce Chlorella Manna features chlorella that is grown in tanks filled with purified water. The chlorella used in HealthForce Chlorella Manna is Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 1230 and is considered kosher. This chlorella supplement is gluten-free and suitable for vegans and is not irradiated. The chlorella cell walls are broken using pressure and a micronization to improve absorption. HealthForce Chlorella Manna is tested by special laboratories to check for heavy metal or microbial contamination prior to release. HealthForce Chlorella Manna is manufactured in the United States.
HealthForce Chlorella Manna is bright green. Mixable with liquids or added to foods, the starting recommended dose of Chlorella Manna is ten or more chlorella tablets per day as tolerated. This chlorella supplement has a relatively mild flavor and some even report being able to chew them because the taste is almost pleasant.
Users of HealthForce Chlorella Manna report increased levels of energy and improved mental clarity. Others report reduced inflammation and improvement in their joint health.
As far as can be told at the time of this review, HealthForce Chlorella Manna is not a certified organic product. While the company states it goes beyond organic standards in manufacturing Chlorella Manna, some might have an issue that they have not pursued an official organic certification. And, while the tablets are small, HealthForce Chlorella Manna also requires a large intake of the chlorella tablets (14+) to get the full benefit.
Summary Points
HealthForce Chlorella Manna is produced by an established company with a long history of producing quality supplements.
- One of the best tasting chlorella supplements.
- Made by an established company with a long history of quality.
- Not certified organic chlorella.
- Requires 14+ chlorella tablets per day.
Chlorella Supplements – The Basics
What is chlorella and why is it so interesting?
Chlorella is a type of green algae that is one of the oldest species on the planet. Chlorella is a plant / organism that most would consider a plant because it can produce energy from light (photosynthesis). Chlorella organisms consist of single-celled, spherical structures less than ten micrometers in diameter that can reproduce quickly with primarily sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Chlorella has a storied history in the world of science. Interest in chlorella and its biological processes were instrumental in helping scientists understand photosynthesis and how cells process carbon dioxide and led to multiple Nobel Prizes. Chlorella has also been researched as a food source given its potent nutritional aspects, nutritional efficiency, and the ease with which it can be cultivated. However, widespread research and adoption of chlorella as a potential food source slowed with improvements in crop efficiency and with additional hurdles in the mass production of chlorella supplements.
More recently, chlorella, like many similar plants, has garnered interest in the nutritional community because of its ability to generate large amounts of energy relative to its size from light. When in nature, chlorella channels this energy into reproductive processes and, believe it or not, can replicate multiple times per day.
Chlorella Supplements – Nutritional Overview
Chlorella has a very dense nutritional composition. As a photosynthetic organism, chlorella is thought to be an efficient generator of energy, leading some to speculate that this energy can be translated into improve human health through consumption. In addition, chlorella has relatively high concentrations of proteins and, interestingly, polyunsaturated fats when digested in a dried or oil form. Chlorella also contains trace levels of iron and magnesium along with amino acids.
The nutritional impact of chlorella is impacted by its tough cell wall. Chlorella cell walls are mostly formed of carbohydrates and are tough to break down when consumed by humans. However, these chlorella cell walls are thought to contain important ingredients that help produce its effects in the body which makes eliminating them altogether during processing less than ideal. To reconcile these conflict, modern chlorella processing has led to the production of chlorella supplements with cracked cell walls which seem to enable digestion while maintaining the important components found in the chlorella walls.
Packed full of nutrition, chlorella is thought by some to be a complete food. Pound for pound, it has more protein than beef and also contains all of the essential amino acids. Chlorella also contains a number of vitamins, including
vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C and E. Chlorella also contains iron and zinc as well as niacin, riboflavin, and inositol.
Clinically, some practitioners consider chlorella to be a detoxifier in the body. In detail, chlorella is believe to help detoxify the liver and also protect against excessive heavy metals present in the body. Chlorella may also function as an immune booster and may help reduce symptoms related to fibromyalgia.
Chlorella Algae Types
While chlorella is a generic term used to represent a class of chlorella supplements, there are differences in the types of chlorella used in chlorella tablets and powders. Most commonly, Chlorella pyrenoidosa is used in the best chlorella supplements. Chlorella pyrenoidosa is thought to have a thick cell wall. Another form of chlorella sometimes seen is Chlorella vulgaris. Chlorella vulgaris has a thinner cell wall and is considered to be easier to digest.
Why is the cell wall thickness important in chlorella? Many people believe that the thicker cell wall is thicker because it has a denser nutritional value. If the thick chlorella cell wall is important for you, then make sure that you get a chlorella supplement that contains Chlorella pyrenoidosa.
Chlorella Tablets vs. Chlorella Powder
Chlorella supplements are made in both tablet and powder forms, and each type has its pros and cons.
Portability
Chlorella tablets are more portable which makes them quite handy for people who are frequently on the go or travel and want to pack a nutritional punch with them. Chlorella powder, on the other hand, requires special handling when on the move and can make a mess if not packaged properly.
Absorption
In many people, chlorella powders have an absorption advantage. Because they do not need to broken down in the body, they can be easier to absorb than chlorella tablets.
Daily Dosing
Chlorella tablets, while small, require large number of tablets for one to meet the daily recommended dose. On the other hand, chlorella powders generally only require one tablespoon at most. From a simplicity standpoint, compliance with chlorella powders tends to be easier unless one also has portability requirements.
Chlorella vs. Spirulina
Chlorella and spirulina are sometimes packaged together and many consider them to be cousins in the algae world. However, while similar, chlorella and spirulina have some differences.
Evolution
Evolutionarily, spirulina is thought to be much older. In fact, some believe that spirulina showed up thousands of years before chlorella.
Color
Chlorella tends to be a light green in color while spirulina is bluish-green. This may be due to a higher chlorophyll concentration in chlorella which, in theory, gives it a higher energy punch. Because of this, chlorella can reproduce much faster than spirulina.
Size
In terms of physical size, spirulina algae is much bigger than chlorella (often multiples in size).
Digestability
Chlorella is encapsulated by thick cell walls which need to be cracked before use as a supplement. Spirulina, on the other hand, can be readily digested.
Both chlorella and spirulina are packed full of nutritional value and are often taken together. If you are interested in spirulina, check out our best spirulina supplement guide to learn more about the best spirulina brands out there.
Side Effects of Chlorella
When first taking chlorella, one should start slowly (as with any supplement) to ensure that any side effects occur on a small scale at first. The most common side effects from taking chlorella include the side effects that suggest an allergic reaction – headaches, fatigue, nausea and an irritated digestive system. Many people think that these gastrointestinal side effects occur because our bodies are not used to chlorella. Some practitioners suggest that a detoxifying effect occurs when one starts using chlorella, leading to this effect.
Also, people who are taking blood thinners like warfarin should avoid chlorella as it usually contains vitamin K. Chlorella can contain trace amounts of iodine and people with iodine allergies or thyroid disorders should probably avoid taking it.
Best Chlorella Supplements – Summary Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this review of chlorella supplements as you strive to improve your health. Feel free to comment if you have any questions or new quality chlorella brands that you think we should review.
Carmen Dichiera says
I just wanted to mention this product. Cheaper than the above mentioned AND fulfils ALL important criteria.
> chlorella pyrenoidosa
> outdoor ponds – CGF is produced during intense photosynthesis
> low 3 sec. pressure extracted (cell wall cracked)
> from Tawu mountains in Southern Taiwan
> Organic
> free from heavy metals, microcystins, BMAA
> spring water (no sea or ground water)
> 2,550km away from Japan and is totally free from radiation
Carmen 🙂
Samantha Lee says
Thank you for the suggestion! Our team will look to reviewing Organic Burst chlorella in our next chlorella review update.