chlorella vs spirulina are both available in powder or pill supplement forms. Both are high in protein, omega-3 fats, vitamin B2, folate, magnesium and potassium.
However, only chlorella has a special growth factor that makes it unique among other types of microalgae. This explains why supplements made from it tend to be more expensive.
1. Chlorella Growth Factor
The chlorella growth factor is unique to this particular algae and helps boost cellular regeneration and repair. It also has a powerful detoxifying effect on the body, helping to eliminate heavy metals and other harmful chemicals from your system.
It has a high protein content and contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Chlorella is a good choice for vegans and vegetarians as it provides a rich source of Vitamin B12, including active B12. Spirulina on the other hand only contains inactive B12.
Like all algae, chlorella needs clean water and sunlight to grow. It is also a nutrient-dense superfood that can be added to your diet in the form of tablets or powders.
One problem with Chlorella is its poor digestibility due to the hard cell walls which have to be cracked by a mechanical process or pulverized, leaving the nutrients susceptible to oxidation and nutritional losses. Biogenesis has developed an innovative technology that breaks the Chlorella cell wall using a vacuum and ultrasonic process, ensuring that all its powerhouse of nutrients are made available to your body.
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
It’s no secret that the modern Western diet is rife with omega 6 and deficient in omega 3. This imbalance is believed to cause the inflammatory conditions implicated in many of today’s killer diseases including cardiovascular disease, asthma and autoimmune conditions.
Both spirulina and chlorella provide omega-3 fats, in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The body can convert ALA into DHA but it’s much easier to get DHA from fish, krill, and algae.
Spirulina also provides GLA, a form of omega-6 that is metabolised differently to produce powerfully anti-inflammatory compounds called prostaglandins. GLA is known to improve a wide range of health issues including arthritis, asthma and inflammatory skin conditions, helping control blood pressure and reduce menopausal hot flashes.
Both spirulina and chlorella are rich in antioxidants that can protect against free radical damage. This is especially important for vegans and vegetarians who don’t get enough nutrients from meat or dairy. Chlorella is one of the few plants to contain active B12, a highly absorbable form of vitamin B12. This is good news for people who are deficient in this essential nutrient.
3. Amino Acids
Both spirulina and chlorella are nutrient dense algae that offer a wide range of evidence-based health benefits. They are both a good source of protein, iron, vitamin B-12 and omega 3 fatty acids. They are also a good source of magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.
Spirulina is a green algae that has been used as a food source in Mexico and Chad since 1300 AD, according to the herbal supplement manufacturer Gaia Herbs. The Aztecs harvested Arthrospira spirulina from Lake Texcoco and made it into a kind of dry cake called tecuitlatl. Spirulina is still grown in lakes and rivers and used as a food source by many indigenous people in the region.
Both spirulina and chlorella provide amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. They are considered complete proteins because they contain all of the essential amino acids (the ones your body can’t make on its own). Spirulina contains both branched and unbranched chain amino acids, while chlorella has only branched amino acids. Chlorella is also higher in protein gram per gram than spirulina and has more active B12, which is easily absorbed by the body (Edelmann, 2019).
4. Vitamin B12
Unlike spirulina, chlorella has an important component called Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) that allows it to replicate quickly. This unique characteristic makes it one of the most powerful nutrient-rich foods on Earth. Its diverse macro and micro nutrient profile has been linked to aiding weight loss, lowering cholesterol, improving asthma, boosting immunity, decreasing inflammation, treating rheumatoid arthritis, easing menopause symptoms, stabilising blood sugar levels, managing allergies and more.
Both spirulina and chlorella contain a full spectrum of essential amino acids that the body can absorb easily making them excellent protein sources. They also contain a high amount of Omega-3 fatty acids which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Both spirulina and chlorella are rich in vitamin B12 but only spirulina contains bioavailable vitamin B12 that the body can use. This makes it the best choice for vegans and people with a compromised gut. However, it is worth noting that the vitamin B12 in spirulina is derived from an analog of this vital nutrient which can be hard to digest and may block your body’s natural uptake of true vitamin B12. Chlorella does not contain any form of synthetic or animal sourced vitamin B12 making it a great option for vegetarians and vegans alike.
5. Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is known to have antioxidant properties, helping the body to fight free radicals and oxidative damage. It may also reduce inflammation and increase energy levels. Chlorella and spirulina are rich in chlorophyll, helping to make them both green.
Both spirulina and chlorella are nutrient-dense algae that help to cleanse the liver and optimize the oxygenation of the blood. They contain both essential and non-essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants.
These algae may reduce the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis, improve allergies, ease menopausal hot flashes, reduce high cholesterol and blood pressure, and prevent osteoporosis. They are also a great source of the omega-3 fatty acid, GLA.
Both spirulina and chlorella provide many health benefits, but it’s important to understand their nutrient profiles so that you can determine which one is right for you. Chlorella has higher levels of iron, vitamin A and zinc than spirulina. So if you are deficient in these nutrients, it’s best to opt for chlorella. However, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional before introducing new supplements into your diet.