Is Chlorella Effective as an Alternative Cancer Therapy?
Chlorella is a freshwater algae that is a known “superfood”, which contains lots of health benefits. If you’re gaging at the idea of eating freshwater algae, stick around and see how beneficial it can be for your health. I promise you, it’s worth it.
Note: because chlorella contains the highest concentrated source of pure chlorophyll, you’ll have to forgive me if I switch between the benefits of chlorella and chlorophyll.
Benefits of Chlorella
Chlorella is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B12, B2, B3, iron, magnesium and zinc. It also contains lots of protein, which is great for you vegetarians or vegans who are looking for a plant-based protein.
In addition, chlorella has the unique ability to reproduce 8 times a day, making it a sustainable nutrient source.
And with all of that, here are just some of the ways in which chlorella can make you healthier:
- Helps to cleanse your blood
- Increases the good bacteria in your gut
- Boosts energy
- Supports fat loss
- Detoxes heavy metals from your body
- Boosts immune system
Difference Between Chlorella and Spirulina
Think of chlorella and spirulina as cousins. They are both powerful and have amazing health benefits, but chlorella is single-cell and spirulina is multi-cell. Here are a few more differences:
- Chlorella has a nucleus and spirulina does not. And chlorella has almost twice as much nucleic acid as Spirulina (this is important for DNA and RNA in the body).
- Spirulina is much larger.
- Spirulina is easily digestible, while chlorella has to go through a process to consume.
- Chlorella contains twice as much chlorophyll.
- Chlorella is able to bind to heavy metals to help with detoxification, while spirulina cannot.
Chlorella and cancer prevention
When cancer cells are present in your body, it doesn’t necessarily mean that at that moment you “have cancer”. Your body is meant to fight against foreign invaders and when your immune system is strong, it can attack cancer cells.
Chlorella contains polysaccharides, which are known to boost your immune system. They do this by increasing proteins that stimulate macrophages and t-cells, which protect the body against infection, as well as fight cancer cells.
Also, with the removal of heavy metals, chlorella detoxes the body of toxins that have been shown to cause environmental cancers.
Does chlorella help cancer patients?
Why yes, it does. Chlorella helps negate the effects of chemotherapy and radiation by protected against UV radiation and removing radioactive particles.
Here are the professional studies that have been done to show chlorella’s effects:
- A Journal of Medicinal Food study in Sept 2008 showed chlorella’s ability to bind heavy metals and remove them from the body.
- A Virginia Commonwealth University neurologist concluded that chlorella boosts immune system significantly.
- The Journal of Zhejiang University found chlorella to have definite anti-cancer properties and triggered cancer cell death.
- Researchers from the Yonsei University in Seoul Korea found that chlorella supports a healthy immune system response and helps “natural killer” cell activity.
Bottom Line
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s important to consult your physician before adding chlorella into your daily routine. Also, chlorella contains iodine, so those with sensitivities to iodine or hyperthyroidism should avoid. People with sensitivities or allergies to mold should also avoid.
Be sure to purchase organic chlorella or spirulina when possible. Here are a tablet supplement and a powder supplement that I recommend from Amazon.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.