Chlorella
Also known as: Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, broken cell wall chlorella, chlorella powder
Chlorella is a single-celled freshwater green alga, most commonly Chlorella vulgaris, grown in tanks and dried into a fine green powder. Its tough cell wall must be mechanically cracked for nutrients to be absorbed, so specifications should state broken or cracked cell wall. It supplies chlorophyll, protein, B vitamins, and lutein and is widely used in greens powders and tablets. Meta-analyses of randomized trials have examined its effects on lipid profiles and liver enzymes at gram-level daily doses.
Research summary
Chlorophyll, carotenoids, and cell-wall components are studied for antioxidant and lipid-related effects.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 g | 2–5 g | — | — |
2 to 5 g daily as powder or pressed tablets. Specify broken cell wall material. Trial doses ranged widely, often 3 to 10 g.
Source material: whole dried biomass, broken cell wall
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Grassy flavor and strong green color; tablets are common at 500 mg each.
Formulation notes
Naturally contains vitamin K; note for formulas positioned alongside anticoagulant cautions. Iodine content varies by strain.
Sources
- Effect of supplementation with Chlorella vulgaris on lipid profile in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. (Sherafati N 2022)PubMed
- Effect of Chlorella vulgaris on Liver Function Biomarkers: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (Yarmohammadi S 2021)PubMed
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