What are the Differences
Between Chlorella and Spirulina?

Chlorella and Spirulina are the two most popular forms of algae on the market, and both offer very impressive nutritional content: they could be considered be the most nutritious foods that exist.

Algae-based superfoods contain superior health benefits, due to their significant amounts of polysaccharides, antioxidants, nucleic acids, and peptides. They're also rich in essential fatty acids, chlorophyll, B vitamins, carotenoids and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc.

For vegetarians, chlorella and spirulina provide two of the best sources for complete proteins and B vitamins. They're also very valuable toxin binders that will eliminate heavy metals and other pollutants from your tissues.

Chlorella and Spirulina —
Two of the World's Healthiest Foods

Chlorella and spirulina are very similar foods, but also have their own unique properties. Although I strongly recommend using both of them both daily, you may want to use more of one or the other, based on your particular circumstances. Here are some basic differences:

Properties of Chlorella:

• contains about 5 times the amount of chlorophyll as spirulina, making it the richest source of chlorophyll there is. Chlorophyll makes chlorella more effective as a detoxifier.

• contains higher levels of nucleotides RNA and DNA, and beta carotene than spirulina.

• removes mercury, cadmium, uranium, lead, pesticides and other toxins that accumulate in your body.

• causes friendly bacteria in your intestinal tract to grow at four times the normal rate.

• supports and balances liver and pancreatic function; and helps regulate your blood sugar.

• has potent cancer-fighting abilities that include the ability to repair DNA damage and influence gene expression

• especially helpful for people who suffer from constipation.

• contains Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), an phytonutrient unique to chlorella. CGF boosts the immune system and is a potent anti-cancer nutrient. It also helps repair nerve tissues all through the body and is especially valuable for treating degenerative brain and nerve disorders.

• has a stronger, more bitter taste (if you're using the bulk powder form).

Properties of Spirulina:

• a superior source of easily-digestible protein. Spirulina contains twelve times more digestible protein than beef, ounce-for-ounce. With 65-70% protein content, it's more potent than chlorella in that regeard. It also has higher amounts of B12, essential fatty acids, and the antioxidant superoxide dismutase.

• a better source of vitamin B-12 — about 10 times as much as chlorella, and 300% of your RDA in one tablespoon

• a very helpful supplement to assist with weight loss — or even malnutrition.

• inhibits the infectious power of many viruses — including flu, mumps, measles, and herpes

• a superior source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a essential fatty acid necessary for heart and brain function, and for regulating blood sugar; GLA also is responsible for spirulina's immune-boosting properties.

• contains a potent anti-cancer phytonutrient that also gives spirulina its distinctive blue hue.

• protects your cells from radiation poisoning from the environment

• has a milder, seaweed-type taste (if you're using the bulk powder).

Chlorella or Spirulina —
Which One Should You Use?

As you can see, both chlorella and spirulina offer a wealth of health benefits, many of which they share. This isn’t an argument about recommending one over the other. It’s a combination of the two that’s really going to be of the most benefit. Both chlorella and spirulina are foods that you want to be taking everyday. You need at least 4 grams (about 1 teaspoon) or more every day of both chlorella and spirulina in order to get the full benefits they offer.

Smoothies are a great way to get your chlorella and spirulina every day!

My favorite method is to blend chlorella and spirulina into a green smoothie every morning. My basic recipe uses almond milk, a frozen banana, two raw organic eggs or protein powder, and a tablespoon of chlorella and/or spirulina combined in a blender. Bananas blend well with chlorella, and mask the bitterness completely — just make sure you use very ripe ones.

Superfoods can turn your ordinary fruit smoothie into a nutrient-dense meal with the antioxidant benefits of 6 servings of fruits and vegetables — your entire minimum daily requirement!

If you're not hip to smoothies yet, they're hands-down the best way to get you going in the morning and keep you going. Anytime you want a quick and amazingly-healthy meal without having to cook, a smoothie fits the bill!

You can discover How to Make Smoothies the Healthy Way elsewhere on this website.

Other Green Superfood Options

There are many other green superfood products similar to spirulina and chlorella. These products sometimes blend these blue-green algaes in with other greens like wheat grass, alfalfa and barley grass.

I personally prefer chlorella and spirulina for their unsurpassed nutritional content, but their taste is quite intense! Products that blend a variety of green superfoods together with other superfood powders generally have a milder taste, and may be more to your liking.

Discover more about them at my page on Green Superfood Powders

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