Anticancer properties
Research suggests that chlorella has anticancer properties. A February 1998 study published in the Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy journal, for instance, showed that a protein extracted from chlorella could inhibit the spread of cancer cells in mice.
This research was buttressed by a later 2009 study published in the Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B, which discovered that Chlorella vulgaris (a common type of chlorella) has “definite chemopreventive effect by inducing apoptosis.”
Guards against diabetes
According to a 2009 study published in Nutrition Research and Practice, diabetic rats that were fed chlorella experienced lower levels of fasting glucose than rats that weren’t fed chlorella.
Additionally, HOMA-index (a scoring of insulin resistance) was lower in the chlorella-fed rats. Of course, being a high-protein whole food, chlorella also has a low glycemic index.
High in RNA and DNA
In her book, Natural Healing Wisdom & Know How, Amy Rost notes that chlorella could aid our adrenal glands due to its high levels of RNA and DNA.
These two nucleic acids, coupled with chlorella’s considerable amino acid, fiber and chlorophyll content, can help rejuvenate our adrenals and cleanse them of toxins.
Moreover, according to chlorella researcher Dr. Bernard Jensen, foods rich in nucleic acids can boost longevity: “Foods rich in nucleic acids provide cell-protective effects which help ensure long life.
The body can absorb and use nucleic acid components directly, which saves the energy that would normally be used in synthesizing them.”
Prevention of serious diseases
A 2001 study published in the Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine journal showed that chlorella could reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, accelerate wound healing and boost immune function.
These impressive results lead the researchers to conclude: “The potential of chlorella to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and normalize body functions in patients with fibromyalgia, hypertension, or ulcerative colitis suggests that larger, more comprehensive clinical trials of chlorella are warranted.”
