The Superior Green Food: Chlorella and Spirulina Powder

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For people who lean toward super-low and zero carb ways of eating, chlorella and spirulina powder may be useful tools. These deep green powders bring added vitamins and minerals to daily diet without a lot of fiber. They are quickly absorbed and readily assimilated (assuming the chlorella is “cracked”, more on that below).

Neither Tristan nor I can claim one as a favorite, we like them both for different applications. We’ve been using these algaes for years, even before a keto diet, and love them! It’s great to see the appreciation and awareness of these powerful foods spread.

Chlorella vs Spirulina

You’ve probably heard of these green powders from celebrity diets or social media ads, but what are they exactly? And why should you add them to your diet?

Chlorella is a type of green and spriulina is a type of blue green algae. The main difference between the two is that chlorella has an indigestible cellulose wall. Making the algae available for human consumption requires a complex and rather expensive technical process to mechanically break the cellulose wall. Finding a product with a “broken” or “cracked” cell wall is important, otherwise you won’t be assimilating all the potential benefits! You’ll see this reflected in the price difference between chlorella and spirulina, the former tends to be priced higher.

The chlorella offered by Mountain Rose Herbs has a cracked outer cell wall, broken by a high impact cryogenic jet-spray process that pulverizes the algae’s cell wall for enhanced digestibility.

Algae may sound like an odd ingredient to add to your regular health routine. But bear with me for a minute. These miraculous organisms that capture light energy through photosynthesis and convert inorganic substances into organic matter are foods chock full of nourishment and health boosting properties.

Both spirulina and chlorella have a high concentration of nutrients that have been shown to support the immune system, natural detoxification pathways, boost energy and enhance mental clarity.

Personally, I choose chlorella and spirulina powder over green or vegetable powder any day.

What is Chlorella Powder?

Chlorella is a beautiful dark green powder made from a spherical shaped, single-celled microorganism. It is a fresh water algae with a nucleus.

Chlorella may seem unassuming but it is more nutrient dense per gram than other low-carb veggies like broccoli, spinach, and kale.

The rich green color is the result of a high concentration of chlorophyll. Chlorella is a source of amino acids, oleic acid, beta-carotene, vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, and phytonutrients. It also contains the minerals potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron.

As a potent chelator, that is, a binding agent that assists the body to remove and detoxify heavy metals, chlorella may reduce and prevent the accumulation of heavy metals in organs and fatty tissue. Specific evidence shows that lead and cadmium exposure is reduced after the intake of chlorella ^{<a href=”#fn1″ id=”ref1, “>1</a>}¹. A 2009 study determined “chlorella [as] an appropriate source which counteracts heavy metal poisoning”³. In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial chlorella supplementation “increased the NK (natural killer) cell activity” that supports a healthy immune system⁴. Additional research adds to the growing evidence of chlorella’s “beneficial immunostimulatory effect”⁵. With proven antioxidant capacity, this impressive list of chlorella’s beneficial impact on the human body ends with a recent study showing the reduction of oxidative stress⁶. Oxidative stress can come from many factors like emotional and physical stress, environmental pollutants, pesticides and cigarette smoke.

> Take away: Chlorella has a wealth of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, can help detox heavy metals, improve the immune system, and reduce oxidative stress.

How to use chlorella

Chlorella powder can be added to drinks, smoothies, and savory dishes. Tristan takes a scoop with his eggs and canned sardines in the morning. I recently developed an amazing keto chocolate truffle with chlorella (recipe coming soon!).

Shopping Suggestion: Chlorella powder

Scroll down a bit to the recipe section for more ideas.

High quality chlorella is also available in capsules. If you don’t enjoy the taste (we actually do!) you can still get the benefits with a few capsules a day.

What is Spirulina Powder?

Spirulina is a simple, one-celled, spiral-shaped micro-algae that can grow in a different aqueous environments like fresh water lakes, natural springs, and saltwater. There are claims that the indigenous people of Mexico, Africa and Asia ate spirulina for centuries.

Measured at around 65% protein, all eight essential amino acids can be found in spirulina, making it one of the few plant sources with complete protein. The remaining percentage of nutrients is comprised of beta-carotene and minerals like iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, and copper. Various B complex vitamins and phytonutrients are also found.

With a small daily dose you can add a concentrated amount of nutrition to your diet AND receive potentially helpful anti-inflammatory and cogitative benefits. Spirulina has proven to be “effective in treating certain cancers, hyperlipidemia, immunodeficiency, and inflammatory processes”⁷. Reducing inflammation is important for longevity and avoiding many chronic diseases, spirulina can help you out with that as well. Evidence indicates that spirulina is equally effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are in reducing inflammation⁸.

Benefits from spirulina for children have also been studied. A 2010 study gave youths doses of spirulina as a treatment for ADHD⁹. The success was marked by “improved attention, cognition, and impulse control”, scientists announce that spirulina indicates “promise for ADHD treatment in children”¹⁰. Consuming spirulina is proven to alleviate memory dysfunction and increase attention span while at the same time reduce oxidative stress damage ¹¹. As we age, spirulina is a “novel treatment” for “neurodegenerative disorders” like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson diseases and may reduce our risk of these brain disorders¹². Fueling your body with the right input can keep you mentally sharp, physically strong and full of energy all day long.

> Take away: Spirulina is an age old, nutrient dense food with proven cognizant effects on memory and brain function. It can also significantly decrease inflammation and reduce oxidative stress.

How to use spirulina

Spirulina powder can be added to drinks, smoothies, and savory dishes. It’s one of my favorite add-ins to homemade chocolates! I also mix it into cauliflower rice and serve it with a fried egg or two on top for breakfast.

Shopping Suggestion: Spirulina powder

Scroll down a bit to the recipe section for more ideas.

High quality spirulina is also available in capsules. If you don’t enjoy the taste (it’s more mellow than chlorella) you can still get the benefits with a few capsules a day.

Fiber Free Plant Based Nutrition

Spirulina and chlorella both have incredible nutrient density rates and exhibit profound health benefits for men and women of all ages.

Sourcing is important, we recommend Mountain Rose Herbs as a source of high-quality, organic chlorella and spirulina powder. Their products are pure, uncontaminated with binders and fillers.

Shopping Suggestion: Mountain Rose Herbs

I did a write up comparing Mountain Rose Herbs to Amazon a few weeks ago, my opinion is clear. What do you think?

Recipes with Chlorella and Spirulina Powder

Are you ready to try these awesome foods but still wondering what the heck to do with these new found ingredients? You can take either chlorella or spirulina just like a vitamin. Scoop out your dose and chase it back with some water. I find their flavors agreeable an enjoy making new recipes with these powders. Chlorella is slightly more “green” tasting, otherwise I think the flavors are similar. I like the texture they give in my mouth. Think of anything you’d do with a green powder and replace it with spirulina and/or chlorella.

Recipes with spirulina powder and chlorella powder

• Add ¼ teaspoon and up to 1 tablespoon of one of these lusciously green powders in a low-carb green smoothie or sprinkle on salads.
• Make a Spirulina Sprinkle with ¼ cup nutritional yeast, 1 tablespoon spirulina and 2 teaspoons garlic powder. Add to sauces, meats and vegetables.
• Our 6 year old made her own “chocolate sauce” recipe by mixing spirulina with cacao powder, Lakanto classic and mct oil together in a bowl. It comes out like a chocolate paste, sweetened with a ketogenic sugar substitute.
• I have spirulina chocolates and chlorella chocolate truffles coming soon!

Do you have my cookbooks?

Next time you make one of these recipes, mix in 1 teaspoon and up to 1 tablespoon of chlorella or spirulina powder:

• Gourmet Guacamole (The Ketogenic Edge Cookbook)
• Cauliflower Rice (The Ketogenic Edge Cookbook) – recipe also available here
• Keto Flatbreads (The Ketogenic Edge Cookbook) – recipe also available here
• Basil Pesto (The Ketogenic Edge Cookbook)
• Tahini and Lemon Veggie Stir-Fry (The Ketogenic Edge Cookbook)
• Dark Keto Chocolate (The Ketogenic Edge Cookbook)
• Hemp Protein Bars (Ultimate Guide to Low-Carb Baking)
• Pure Cacao Brownie (Ultimate Guide to Low-Carb Baking)
• Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Cupcakes (Ultimate Guide to Low-Carb Baking)

Chlorella and spirulina can also be added to:

• Ketogenic Omelette 101
• Flax Crackers
• Chia Seed Puddings
• Flourless Ketogenic Brownies
• Keto Dinners with Beef

Please Note: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

This post is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is based on the author’s opinion and research; it does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Mountain Rose Herbs.

References

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^{1. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12781705]↩}

^{2. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20016697]↩}

^{3. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20016697]↩}

^{4. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3511195]↩}

^{5. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3511195]↩}

^{6. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23865357]↩}

^{7. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21697639]↩}

^{8. [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s000110050256]↩}

^{9. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20228219]↩}

^{10. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20228219]↩}

^{11. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21697639]↩}

^{12. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18572379]↩}