Both Spirulina and chlorella have risen to popularity in the supplement world. You may be wondering, which one is better for you and your wellness journey?
There’s a lot to know about your algae supplements, including the type of algae they include. The good news is that Spirulina and chlorella offer different potential health benefits and nutrients.
At iwi life, we believe in nutritional transparency. That means sharing the full story of our ingredients, so you can make the best-informed choices. We also believe in helping everyone in our global community, so that’s why we make our algae supplements full of the ingredients you need.
If you’re looking for a new algae supplement, we are here to make it easier for you. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between chlorella and Spirulina and which one is better!
What Is Chlorella?
Chlorella is a single-celled green alga that grows in freshwater. It’s often used as a supplement and as a food source. It contains a vast profile of different nutritional benefits for you and your body.
It is often marketed as a superfood, and for good reason since it contains a wide variety of nutrients that are great for you and your body.
What Are the Benefits of Chlorella?
Chlorella offers many nutritional benefits since it’s a good source of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals.
When it comes to supporting your overall health and wellness goals, there’s no better option than algae supplements. It’s got everything you need to help you feel and perform your best.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Chlorella is a source of many nutrients that aren't typically found in plants, including vitamin D and vitamin B12, making it a welcome addition for anyone who follows a plant-based diet.
As its name implies, chlorella is also rich in chlorophyll, the green plant pigment involved in photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is taken as a supplement to help promote fresh breath and improved body odor. It is also thought to help support oxygen delivery in the body.
Although chlorella is full of a wide variety of beneficial nutrients and plant compounds, it is relatively low in the long-chain fatty acids DHA and EPA. While it shouldn't be counted on as a reliable source of omega-3, chlorella can still make a great addition to a supplement routine..
What Is Spirulina?
Spirulina is a type of blue-green alga that grows primarily in lakes and ponds. Like chlorella, it’s considered a superfood since it has such high levels of nutrients. In fact, the nutritional value is so apparent that the Aztecs would use this algae for making cakes.
Spirulina has been touted for its protein content, since it is higher than most green plants in protein — 1.5 tablespoons of Spirulina powder contains the same amount of complete protein as an egg — but in other nutritional factors, chlorella outweighs it. Although it has a different color than chlorella, it still provides a great assortment of different nutrients, from minerals to protein to different vitamins.
Like chlorella, it also has a vast nutritional profile, so spirulina supplements come in many forms. It can come as a powder, tablet, softgel, capsule, or any variety of supplements.
What Are the Benefits of Spirulina?
Many different benefits come from Spirulina since it contains such abundant nutrients and antioxidant properties. Although chlorella is better in some aspects than Spirulina, Spirulina can still be a great choice, depending on your preferences.
Read below to learn more about Spirulina's specific benefits for you and your body!
Protein
One of the main reasons many people like Spirulina is its high amount of protein.
While a study shows that both Spirulina and chlorella contain all essential amino acids that your body easily absorbs, a 2018 study shows that some strains of Spirulina can contain up to 10% more protein than chlorella.
If you’re looking to up your intake of protein, Spirulina can be a great addition to incorporate into your daily diet.
Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Another great benefit of Spirulina is how it can help all different aspects of your body. For example, Spirulina may also benefit your cholesterol profile and blood pressure.
A study showed a group of people that had a gram of Spirulina helped aid their high cholesterol by supporting healthy levels of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Do Spirulina and Chlorella Have Any Similarities?
Although they vary in some of the nutrients they offer, both are relatively similar when it comes to providing nutrients and health benefits for you.
Antioxidants
Both Spirulina and chlorella contain a high amount of antioxidants. These can play a key role in supporting your cells during exposure to oxidative stress caused by free radicals and maintaining your overall wellness. Both forms of algae contain antioxidant properties, and studies show chlorella supplements provide ample vitamin C and vitamin E.
May Support Heart Health
Another benefit of algae supplements from chlorella or Spirulina is the possible heart health benefits they provide.
This is because they may support a healthy blood lipid composition and proper blood pressure levels. If you’re looking for additional support for your heart health, algae supplements can be a great ally for cardiovascular health.
Detoxification
Both Spirulina and Chlorella are renowned for their detoxifying properties. They can help cleanse the body of heavy metals and other toxins.
Chlorella, in particular, is thought to have a unique ability to bind to toxins and carry them out of the body. This makes these algae a valuable option for maintaining your body's natural detox processes.
What Are the Differences Between Chlorella and Spirulina?
While both contain nutrients we all need, certain differences can be helpful to know. Understanding the differences between what these two algae offer can be a great tool in deciding which one you want to take.
Chlorella is higher in several different categories:
- Calories: 115 calories in a one-ounce serving
- Vitamin A: 287% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Riboflavin: 71% of DV
- Magnesium: 22% of DV
- Iron: 202% of DV
- Zinc: 133% of DV
A study shows that chlorella has more omega-3 fatty acids, while Spirulina boasts more omega-6 fatty acids, although both are low in overall omega-3 content.
Spirulina still contains a high amount of certain categories, even though it’s lower in calories. For example, Spirulina contains a good amount of:
- Riboflavin: 60% of DV
- Thiamine: 44% of DV
- Iron: 44% of DV
- Copper: 85% of DV
They both vary in what they offer, and although chlorella does have a higher nutrient profile in some aspects, Spirulina still does a great job of providing you with the nutrients you need.
Which One Is Healthier?
Both forms of algae are extremely beneficial for your health needs. It’s just a matter of knowing the differences so you can find the one that helps support your health journey.
Chlorella offers a slight advantage over Spirulina when it comes to certain nutritional factors, but overall, the two types of algae are fairly comparable.
The good news is that you can’t go wrong with either. What are you looking for when it comes to your wellness journey?
Depending on your personal preference, you may support one over the other. Both Spirulina and chlorella are highly nutritious and safe to eat for most people with little to no side effects.
Are There Any Risks When Taking One or the Other?
While Spirulina and Chlorella are generally considered safe and beneficial for most people, there are a few precautions to keep in mind.
As with any supplement, it's important to start slow. Introducing a large amount of Spirulina or chlorella into your diet right away might cause digestive discomfort. We recommend starting with smaller doses and gradually increasing as your body adjusts.
People with certain medical conditions should consult their healthcare provider before adding Spirulina or Chlorella to their routine, as these algae can potentially stimulate the immune system.
Allergies to Spirulina and Chlorella are rare but can occur. If you experience symptoms like hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling after taking these supplements, seek medical attention immediately.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult with their healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, including Spirulina and Chlorella.
Lastly, quality matters. Poorly sourced Spirulina and Chlorella may be contaminated with harmful substances, like heavy metals or bacteria. At iwi life, we ensure our algae are grown and harvested in controlled environments to provide you with the safest and highest quality supplements possible.
Does the Color of Algae Matter?
The color does not contribute to what kind of nutrients it has; it more has to do with how much light it needs to grow. Essentially, algae all have different pigments that absorb different wavelengths of light.
That means that no color is better or healthier than the other. Although Spirulina and chlorella offer slightly different nutrients, they both benefit you.
Choosing Algae Omega-3 Supplements From iwi life
When it comes to choosing your next algae supplement, iwi life values nutritional transparency. That means providing you with the best nutrients you need for your body, and we are upfront and honest with you.
Our algae oil packs a punch with nutrients. We incorporate Nannochloropsis algae into our dietary supplements, which shares some traits with Chlorella, but is much higher in omega-3 than Chlorella or Spirulina.
Nannochloropsis oculata is an ocean strain of algae which creates rich amounts of omega-3 in a unique form known as the polar lipid form. Polar lipids mix with water because of their unique two-ended structure, which means that polar lipid omega-3s are the best absorbed form.
At iwi life, we love that we can provide you with the superior form of omega-3 that your body needs, all while growing algae sustainably in a way that benefits our global community.
How Is iwi life Algae Farmed?
Here at iwi life, we prioritize sustainable farming practices that not only produce superior algae but also contribute positively to our planet's health. Our algae are cultivated in a controlled environment, ensuring optimal growth conditions and eliminating the risk of contamination from pollutants, pesticides, or heavy metals.
The beauty of our farming process lies in its sustainability. Our algae is grown in large, open-air ponds, where they have ample access to sunlight for photosynthesis. The water used to grow our algae is sourced responsibly, and the process itself consumes less water than traditional farming. Not only that, but we also utilize a strain of algae that thrives in saltwater, helping to reduce the need for freshwater resources.
Once the algae have reached their peak nutrient value, they are harvested carefully and processed using a gentle, cold-press extraction method. This ensures that the nutrients remain intact and bioavailable for your body to use effectively.
iwi life’s Dedication
So, if you’re ready to get started on your supplement journey, look no further than iwi life’s algae omega-3 supplements, which are designed with you and the Earth in mind.
No matter how far along you are in your health journey, we have algae supplements to help you accomplish any of your goals.
We are passionate about several things at iwi life: algae, omega-3s, the planet, and most importantly, you and the global community. So, we combined all of these factors and created our algae omega-3 supplement because the world's health matters to us.
Ready to get started and experience better living? It starts now with iwi life. Shop our supplements today and get started on your journey.
Sources:
Antidiabetic potential of phycocyanin: effects on KKAy mice | PubMed
