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Ch7.5
Chlorella Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
45 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Chlorella appears to help in 4 of 5 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2007–2026 with a typical study size of 38 participants.
Based on 45 studies · 6 meta-analyses · 29 RCTs · 6,205 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
4helped1unclear· 40 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Cholesterol & lipids
Mostly mechanism / observational8 studies
InflammationEnhanced heavy metal and toxin elimination · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational8 studies
Glucose & metabolicModest improvements in lipid and glucose markers · 8-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Anemia & hematology
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Immune supportImproved immune function · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Endurance & exercise performance
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Weight management
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Women's health
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Liver health
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Energy & fatigueBetter energy from nutrient support · 2-4 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Lean body mass & muscle growth
Too few graded studies2 studies
Safety profile
Too few graded studies2 studies
Recovery
Too few graded studies1 study
Depression & mood
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 32 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
67%
across studies
People studied
6,205
typical study: 38 people
Strongest designs
35
6 pooled, 29 randomised
Showed benefit
80%
4/5 studies
How long studies ran
Under a week
1
1–4 weeks
1
1–3 months
7
Populations Studied
Adults6
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus2
Adults with autoimmune skin diseases1
Fibromyalgia patients1
Active research area
22 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
200720162026
1Identification of immunostimulatory herbal supplementsSystematic Reviewn=469 · medium study2025
We identified 227 herbal supplements with immunostimulatory properties, of which 15 were most strongly supported by the evidence.
Weiner JD et al. · Lupus science & medicine (2025)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
We identified 227 herbal supplements with immunostimulatory properties, of which 15 were most strongly supported by the evidence.
This article may serve as a reference to help clinicians counsel patients with autoimmune skin diseases on the risks associated with use of specific herbal supplements.
3Systematic ReviewCited 14×n=916 · large study2021
Increasing intake of fruits and vegetables over prolonged periods might have positive effects on lung function in individuals with COPD.
Furulund E et al. · International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2021)
Increasing intake of fruits and vegetables over prolonged periods might have positive effects on lung function in individuals with COPD.
Some nutritional interventions also observed effects on systemic inflammation, health-related quality of life, and physical function, although with some mixed results.
Many of the trials were underpowered, had high dropout rates, or had a high risk of bias.
4Cardiovascular risk factorsMeta-AnalysisCited 44×n=797 · large study2018
The results indicated that Chlorella supplementation improved levels of TC, LDL-C, SBP, DBP, and FBG but the changes in TG, HDL-C, and BMI were not satisfactory.
Fallah AA et al. · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2018)
Subgroup analyses based on intervention duration and Chlorella doses revealed that administration of Chlorella for 8 weeks or higher and doses higher than 4 g/day significantly reduced TC, LDL-C, SBP, and DBP levels in the participants.
Moreover, Chlorella supplementation significantly reduced TC and LDL-C levels in unhealthy individuals, and also reduced SBP and DBP in hypertensive ones.
The results indicated that Chlorella supplementation improved levels of TC, LDL-C, SBP, DBP, and FBG but the changes in TG, HDL-C, and BMI were not satisfactory.
5Iron status improvementSystematic ReviewCited 2×2025
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
Lacurezeanu A et al. · Molecular nutrition & food research (2025)
No significant adverse effects or organ toxicity were reported in any of the included studies.
A. platensis and C. vulgaris are safe and effective microalgal supplements that enhance iron status and antioxidant defense, presenting promising alternatives to conventional iron therapy.
However, longer-term human clinical trials are needed to validate these findings and determine optimal dosing strategies.
Overall, the findings of this meta-analysis indicate supplementation with algae may exert beneficial effects on anthropometric indices.
Kazeminejad S et al. · Nutrition reviews (2025)
Overall, the findings of this meta-analysis indicate supplementation with algae may exert beneficial effects on anthropometric indices.
However, due to between-studies heterogeneity and very low to low levels of GRADE for significant outcomes, the results should be interpreted with caution.
8Pain improvement in fibromyalgiaSystematic ReviewCited 52×2020
Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to recommend any one particular nutritional intervention for the management of fibromyalgia and further research is needed.
Lowry E et al. · Nutrients (2020)
It is estimated to have a worldwide prevalence of 1.78%, with a predominance in females.
Significant improvements in reported pain were observed for those following a vegan diet, as well as with the low fermentable oligo di-mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diets.
Supplementation with Chlorella green algae, coenzyme Q10, acetyl-l-carnitine or a combination of vitamin C and E significantly improved measures of pain.
Consequently, while the evidence suggests the possibility of functional effects, the strength of the evidence and its generalizability across populations remains limited.
Wang Z et al. · Nutrients (2026)
This review synthesizes current studies, which demonstrate that algae represent a potent, sustainable protein source capable of enhancing dietary quality and promoting health.
The integration of algae-based products into plant-forward diets has the potential to contribute to global nutritional security and long-term public health.
However, the available clinical evidence remains heterogeneous and is largely based on small, short-term intervention studies, with substantial variability in algae species, processing methods and dosages.
Further work integrating standardized analytical frameworks with mechanistic and clinical validation will be required to establish its role in human nutrition and functional food applications.
Rzeski W et al. · Nutrients (2026)
Observed biological effects are consistent with a model of metabolic permissiveness, in which CGF-associated fractions may support endogenous cellular functions rather than directly initiating signaling cascades.
Key translational challenges include the lack of compositional standardization, limited nucleotide speciation, variability in extraction protocols, and the absence of pharmacokinetic and controlled human studies using well-characterized CGF preparations.
Overall, CGF may be conceptualized as a candidate dietary bioactive with redox-centered and metabolically permissive properties.
12Overall health statusCrossoverCited 7×n=44 · small study2021
However, large-scale clinical studies are needed to confirm our statements.
Chiu HF et al. · Journal of food biochemistry (2021)
Thus, consumption of chlorella could significantly improve the overall health status by suppressing various oxidative stress markers and aging stress markers.
In agreement with our hypothesis, our results also showed that subjected supplemented with Chlorella water extract could significantly improve overall health status by suppressing various oxidative stress markers and aging stress markers.
Hence, Chlorella could be developed into a novel anti-aging agent.
The results suggest that a fully replicated dietary cholesterol challenge may be useful in assessing the effectiveness of dietary supplements in maintaining the serum lipid profiles of adults whose habitual diets are high in cholesterol.
Kim S et al. · Nutrition journal (2016)
The results suggest that a fully replicated dietary cholesterol challenge may be useful in assessing the effectiveness of dietary supplements in maintaining the serum lipid profiles of adults whose habitual diets are high in cholesterol.
14Blood lactate concentration during exerciseRCTCited 1×n=20 · very small study2024
A total of 2 days of 6 g/day chlorella supplementation appears to lower the blood lactate response and increase O2 pulse during both submaximal and maximal intensity exercise but did not lead to any improvements in V˙O2max.
White H et al. · Nutrients (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Borderline
Exercise testing consisted of a 20 min submaximal cycle at 40% of their work rate max (WRmax) (watts), followed by an incremental V˙O2max test.
Following chlorella supplementation, blood lactate levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05) during submaximal exercise (3.05 ± 0.92 mmol/L vs. 2.67 ± 0.79 mmol/L) and following V˙O2max tests (12.79 ± 2.61 mmol/L vs. 11.56 ± 3.43 mmol/L).
No differences existed between conditions for oxygen consumption, RER, V˙O2max, or WRmax.
16Plasma amino acid responsesRCTCited 6×n=10 · very small study2024
The ingestion of a variety of novel non-animal-derived dietary protein sources elicits divergent plasma amino acid responses, which are further modulated by age.
van der Heijden I et al. · The British journal of nutrition (2024)
Likely real
Protein ingestion increased plasma total and essential amino acid concentrations (P < 0·001), to differing degrees between sources (P < 0·001), and the increase was further modulated by age (P < 0·001).
Postprandial total and essential amino acid availabilities were highest for pea, spirulina and mycoprotein and lowest for chlorella (all P < 0·05), but no effect of age was observed (P > 0·05).
The ingestion of a variety of novel non-animal-derived dietary protein sources elicits divergent plasma amino acid responses, which are further modulated by age.
17Cycling performanceRCTCited 2×n=14 · very small study2024
In conclusion, chlorella may pose as an additional supplement for cyclists to consider, particularly for those cyclists who want to improve their sprinting.
Gurney T et al. · Journal of dietary supplements (2024)
Each completed a 2-day testing period comprising a 1-hour submaximal endurance test at 55% external power output max and a 16.1 km time trial (Day-1), followed by a lactate threshold (Dmax) and repeated sprint performance tests (3 X 20 s sprints interspersed by 4-mins) (Day-2).
Heart rate (b.min-1), RER, V̇O2 (ml·kg-1·min-1), lactate and glucose (mmol/L), time (secs), power output (W/kg), and hemoglobin (g/L) were compared across conditions.
No differences existed between conditions for all oxygen consumption values, 16.1 km time trial measures and lactate threshold tests (p > 0.05).
18Glycemic controlRCTCited 16×n=84 · small study2021
According to the findings of this study, supplementation with C. vulgaris with a dosage of 1500 mg/day for 8 weeks, does not improve the anthropometric measurements, glycemic status, and lipid profile as well.
Hosseini AM et al. · European journal of nutrition (2021)
According to the findings of this study, supplementation with C. vulgaris with a dosage of 1500 mg/day for 8 weeks, does not improve the anthropometric measurements, glycemic status, and lipid profile as well.
Thus, it cannot be considered as a complementary therapeutic approach to common medications at this dosage and duration.
However, future studies with a higher dosage of C. vulgaris and more prolonged than 8 weeks are needed to be done.
To our finding, C. vulgaris supplementation could be considered as an adjunctive therapy to decrease weight and improve glycemic status and reducing hs-CRP as well as improving liver function in patients with NAFLD.
Ebrahimi-Mameghani M et al. · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2017)
Serum concentrations of liver enzymes, FSG and hs-CRP also significantly decreased and serum insulin concentration and HOMA score increased significantly only in C. vulgaris-treated group (P < 0.001, P < 0.006 and P < 0.025, respectively).
To our finding, C. vulgaris supplementation could be considered as an adjunctive therapy to decrease weight and improve glycemic status and reducing hs-CRP as well as improving liver function in patients with NAFLD.
Daily consumption of Chlorella supplements provided the potential of health benefits reducing serum lipid risk factors, mainly triglycerides and total cholesterol, in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects.
Ryu NH et al. · Nutrition journal (2014)
Daily consumption of Chlorella supplements provided the potential of health benefits reducing serum lipid risk factors, mainly triglycerides and total cholesterol, in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects.