Chlorella & Spirulina: Detox and Nourish at the Same Time

Hey everyone! Chlorella and spirulina are two of the most famous green algae on the planet, and for good reason. Chlorella is a nourishing powerhouse that detoxifies the body at the exact same time, and NASA called spirulina one of the most powerful concentrated foods available to mankind. When I found out I was still anemic, I went on a research frenzy, and these two kept coming up.

1. Chlorella Binds Heavy Metals and BPA

One of the main reasons people take chlorella is that it binds to heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury and uranium and helps eliminate them without reabsorption. Many clinical studies show it reduces mercury levels, increases cadmium and lead excretion and prevents heavy metal accumulation in tissues.

What’s crazy is that research shows it also removes BPA. In a 2009 study, chlorella removed 90% of the xenoestrogen bisphenol A from a laboratory culture, and another study showed it helps lower dioxin, a hormone disruptor that can contaminate the food supply. When you shed pounds, stored toxins are released and can be reabsorbed, so chlorella’s ability to surround them and carry them out is important. → See Detoxification from Pollutants.

2. Real B12: Chlorella vs Spirulina

Chlorella contains real B12, with only trace amounts of the “pseudo” analogue. Spirulina mostly has a B12 analogue, which is chemically similar but works differently and can block the small amount of real B12 – so if spirulina is your only B12 source, you may end up deficient.

Our supplier’s lab analysis shows how strong ours is: 6.17 micrograms of B12 per gram, or about 18.5 mcg in a 12-tablet (3 g) serving – far above the 2.4 mcg daily value. Just two tablets give you about all the B12 you need. In a clinical study, B12 from Chlorella pyrenoidosa (the same variety as ours) improved health markers in 17 vegans and vegetarians with a history of B12 deficiency. → See B12 Probiotics.

3. Iron and Protein

One tablespoon (7 g) of chlorella has about 7.27 mg of iron, and spirulina about 2 mg, with spirulina known for an especially usable form. In a study of 32 pregnant women, 6 g of chlorella a day for 12–18 weeks lowered markers of anemia versus the control group. Chlorella is usually described as 50–60% protein, but our lab analysis shows well over 63% – a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. It’s also rich in vitamins C and E, magnesium and zinc. → See Anemia.

4. Blood Pressure and Body Fat

People always ask me what they can take for blood pressure. My first answer is to improve your diet – high blood pressure can generally be remedied that way. But chlorella can help too:

• People with mildly high blood pressure took 4 g of chlorella daily for 12 weeks and had lower readings than placebo.
• In healthy men, chlorella was linked to less arterial stiffness, possibly from its arginine, potassium, calcium and omega-3s.
• A study in the Journal of Medicinal Food found “noticeable reductions in body fat percentage, serum total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels.”

→ See Cardiovascular Health.

5. Spirulina: NASA’s Concentrated Food

In the 1970s, NASA researched foods that could keep astronauts nourished with limited space and no refrigeration, while protecting bone density, muscle, immunity and the heart in a high-radiation environment. They concluded spirulina is one of the most powerful concentrated foods available to mankind, and that the nutrient value of 100 kg of fruits and vegetables equals 1 kg of spirulina. It’s loaded with potassium, calcium, magnesium, beta-carotene, all essential amino acids, highly absorbable iron and folate, plus chlorophyll and phytochemicals that help remove toxins and support immunity.

6. Tablets, Powders and Blends

We carry chlorella and spirulina as tablets and powders, a 50/50 chlorella-spirulina blend, a 45/45/10 chlorella/spirulina/CGF tablet, and chlorella tablets infused with superfoods and herbs such as Brown Seaweed Extract, Caralluma and Bacopa.

How to Take Them

Chlorella tablets are easy: 12 tablets is a 3 g serving, and just two cover your B12. Powders mix into water, juice or smoothies. Studies used 4–9 g of chlorella a day.

Chlorella & Spirulina FAQ

What is the difference between chlorella and spirulina?

Chlorella has real B12, more iron and strong heavy-metal binding. Spirulina is famous for its concentrated nutrition and highly absorbable iron, but its B12 is mostly an analogue.

Does chlorella remove heavy metals?

Studies show it binds lead, cadmium, mercury and uranium and helps eliminate them without reabsorption. It also removed 90% of BPA in a lab study.

How much B12 is in chlorella?

The supplier’s analysis shows about 18.5 mcg per 12-tablet serving. Two tablets cover the 2.4 mcg daily value.

Can chlorella help blood pressure?

In one study, 4 g daily for 12 weeks lowered blood pressure in people with mildly high readings, and another linked it to less arterial stiffness.

Is this medical advice?

No. This is educational information from Matt’s 30+ years with superfoods. Please talk with your healthcare practitioner about any health concern.

From Matt’s Newsletters

• Jun 2, 2026 – All Chlorella and Spirulina

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Chlorella · Spirulina · Chlorella/Spirulina 50/50

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.