Published By: K.D Cameron

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Chlorella and spirulina are probably the most popular superfoods among the blue-green algae. Very often they are advertised as the most nutrient-packed plants and are considered together as if they are one and the same thing. Both chlorella and spirulina are very rich in phytonutrients and boast huge health benefits. But beware here! When you have to choose one of them you must be aware of the differences between them. Let’s take a look at these two superfoods separately, starting with chlorella.

Chlorella vs Spirulina

Both chlorella and spirulina are microalgae but you will never mistake them if you put them next to each other. While spirulina gets its name because it resembles a spiral, chlorella is a spherical single-cell microorganism. Besides, chlorella is deep green in colour while spirulina is blue-green. Chlorella is found in freshwater basins – rivers and lakes. Its microscopic size makes it hard to cultivate and produce it on a large scale. It is also hard to process chlorella because it has a resilient, indigestible, cellulose wall. If you ever hear the term “broken cell wall” you must be sure it’s about chlorella supplements.

It is exactly because of its more peculiar cell wall that chlorella supplements are more expensive than supplements containing spirulina. The cell wall of chlorella needs to be broken in order to free the nutrients contained in it and make them available to people. This is a complicated, delicate and expensive process but it is crucial for customers who seek to buy chlorella supplements – they expect to find the “broken cell wall” term on the label.

Spirulina

As we said above, the shape of spirulina is unique but it is not just its shape that makes spirulina a unique dietary supplement. It is a multi-cellular plant which does not have a real nucleus.

Like chlorella, spirulina lives in water basins with high alkalinity. It requires moderate temperatures and plenty of natural sunlight. The main difference between the two types of algae lies in the level of complexity of their harvesting.

Spirulina grows best in water which is not home to many other types of living organisms. This facilitates harvesting. Chlorella, on the other hand, coexists with other plants which significantly hampers its harvesting. Besides, the cell wall of spirulina is not as difficult to digest as that of chlorella. This significantly facilitates the conversion of freshly harvested spirulina into a dietary supplement suitable for human digestion.

Chlorella and spirulina dietary supplements – what’s the difference between them?

These two types of microalgae are defined as “superfoods” which means that they have high nutritional potential. And in fact these are some of the most nutrient-packed foods known.

Both chlorella and spirulina have high protein content which makes them a basic ingredient of almost any “green” dietary supplement, whether in the form of tablets or powder. Both are also some of the purest sources of chlorophyll although chlorella takes a slight lead here.

So what distinguishes them after all?

Chlorella is famous mainly for the fact that it is very rich in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll itself is a powerful antioxidant which cleanses the liver and removes toxins from the digestive tract. Spirulina has the same characteristics and much more.

Spirulina contains a very rare antioxidant known as phycocyanin which protects cells from oxidative damage. Spirulina is also rich in energising B vitamins. It also contains vitamin E, copper, zinc, selenium and iron, as well as some essential fatty acids which significantly expand its nutritional range. Taking all these facts into account, nutritionists should proclaim spirulina the ultimate green food, but…

The good news is that you don’t have to choose between the two. There are many high-quality dietary supplements which combine chlorella and spirulina to bring all their benefits to customers. What could be better than that? A combined formula of the beneficial sea algae to add to your diet.

	100% Certified Organic Chlorella Powder • Certified and completely pure organic chlorella you can trust. • Special technology that opens the difficult-to-access cellular wall of the plant to extract its most valuable nutrients. • Each dose provides 1040 IU of beta carotene and 30 mg of chlorophyll. Price: € 26.33 Out of stock
	Broken Cell Wall Chlorella • Each tablet delivers 500 mg of highly effective chlorella • Offers a comprehensive combination of essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants • Special technology for opening the solid cell wall of the plant in order to extract its valuable nutrients Price: € 33.11 Quantity:
	100% Certified Organic Spirulina • 100 % for vegetarians • The most powerful and digestible protein source among green foods. • Fully organic healthy oceanic spirulina. Price: € 15.37 Quantity: