11 Health & Beauty Benefits of Spirulina and Chlorella

Feeling a little lack-lustre? Has your skin lost its radiance? Then you’re in for a real treat as we take a look at the powerful, proven health and beauty benefits of spirulina and chlorella!  These algaes are full of vitamins, minerals and other impressive nutrients that can help you get back to feeling amazing, and sporting a radiant glow to match!
 

So here are 11 Health and Beauty Benefits of Spirulina and Chlorella:
 

1. They’re Great At Reducing Inflammation

Taking a supplement such as spirulina or chlorella can help reduce inflammation in the body. A compound in spirulina called phycocyanobilin mimics one of the body’s natural inflammatory fighters. This effect can help with general inflammation, reducing our risk of many chronic diseases, and helping to keep visible signs of inflammation at bay (1).
 

2. They Help Reduce Heavy Metal Build Up In Your Body

Toxins and heavy metals are common in everyday life. Sometimes, they can build up in our bodies and we need a little helping hand to remove them. Spirulina has shown impressive results with just 500mg a day in people with chronic arsenic poisoning, effectively reducing the arsenic in their body by a massive 47% (2)!
Chlorella may even help to prevent toxic build up before it becomes a problem (3).
 

3. Both Can Support Healthy Weight Loss

An impaired ability to process fat and carbohydrates from our food may make weight loss even more of a challenge. Enjoying a nutrient-rich supplement such as spirulina or chlorella can provide a range of compounds to help support these processes  (1, 4). Plus, spirulina and chlorella are both protein-rich. Diets higher in protein tend to offer sustainable weight loss benefits (5). 
 

4. Your Immune System Is Strengthened

Need some help to keep colds and flu at bay? Just by taking 5g of chlorella daily for 8 weeks can increase your natural killer cell activity (6). A key component of a strong immune system! Spirulina can also help to boost your white blood cell count too, helping to protect you from harmful viruses and bacteria (7).
 

5. They Can Reduce Signs Of Premature Ageing

Studies are showing chlorella has the power to help slow the aging process. It does this by preventing and reducing damage caused by oxidative stress (8). Something which unfortunately occurs as part of our everyday lives thanks to stress, poor diet, pollution and poor lifestyle choices.
 

6. They Help To Control Your Blood Sugar

If you’re having trouble with your blood sugar levels, then try spirulina or chlorella! Studies are showing that taking either of these can assist with lowering blood sugar levels and taking back control of the energy-level rollercoaster ride (4, 9).
 

7. Spirulina Can Keep Your Blood Pressure In Check

Having trouble with high blood pressure? Just two grams a day of Hawaiian Spirulina can help stabilise your blood pressure and improve the health of your vascular system (10)! Taking 4.5 g/day of spirulina for 6 weeks also helps to significantly reduce cholesterol levels, making it a great addition for overall heart health (11)!
 

8. Acts As A Natural Body Detoxifier

There are a lot of products on the market touted to help “detoxify” the body. But a lot of it simply marketing hype.  Spirulina on the other hand, has a compound called phycocyanobilin that is proven to help assist with detoxification. It mimics the body’s bilirubin which helps create enzymes involved in the detox pathways of the body, making it a great detoxifying agent (1).
 

9. Helps To Reduce Excess Fat In Your Liver

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is becoming more common due to poor lifestyle choices. It comes with a host of health complications but thanks to spirulina, you can reverse the damage quite easily! Taking 4.5g a day helped to improve liver function in just 3 months in one particular study (12). Chlorella has also been used as part of a medication program with good results (13).
 

10. Spirulina Provides Protein For Healthy Hair, Skin And Nails

Glossy hair, strong nails and glowing skin are all signs of a healthy, nourished body. We need protein to help us achieve this! Luckily, spirulina and chlorella are full of vegan protein, making them both protein-rich additions to your diet. Just 3 tbsp of chlorella gives you 16g of protein (14). That’s almost a third of an adult woman’s daily requirements (15)!
 

11. Potent Antioxidant Support For Healthy Cells And Skin Repair

Premature ageing, fine lines and wrinkles. These are signs that our skin is having trouble defending free radical damage, repairing itself, and staying nourished. Thanks to the protein content in spirulina and chlorella, and their potent antioxidant power, they can help you get your glow back naturally (1)! Spirulina may even help prevent skin cancers from UVB rays (16).
 

How To Use Spirulina And Chlorella?

Both Spirulina and Chlorella come in tablet and powder forms, individually and as part of a greens blend. You can mix the powders into your favourite smoothie, add to homemade healthy ice cream, create a salad dressing, add to raw desserts or simply take them in tablet form for convenience.
 

What Do We Recommend?

We love taking these products in powder and tablets and have tried many different kinds. Some of our favourites include Hawaiian Pacifica Spirulina and Synergy Natural Organic Chlorella. You can find them in the Superfoods section of our store, or jump straight to our range of Spirulina products here and Chlorella products here.
 

...and remember, qualified nutritionists at Healthy Being are available to offer further general advice to help guide you in selecting the right products. So please, feel free to contact us at anytime!

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Larina Robinson is a Wholefood Dietitian, APD, with a passion for empowering those with IBS, Coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity to regain control of their health. Her website is full of practical tips and tricks, product reviews, kitchen essentials and deliciously easy recipes so you can Enjoy Being You