Indications

Possible effectiveness

• Relieves fibromyalgia

Uncertain efficacy

• Treats hypertension
• Cures skin cancer
• Relieves ulcerative colitis
• Improves effectiveness of flu vaccines

Probably ineffective

• Detoxifying agent

Dosage

Adults (18 years and over):

Fibromyalgia: 10g/day of Sun Chlorella capsules in 100ml of Wakasa Gold for 2 months.

Hypertension: 10g chlorella capsules or 100ml chlorella extract for 2 months.

No dosage known for children.

Nutrients

Chlorella contains significant amounts of lipids (in particular polyunsaturated fatty acids), proteins, chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamins (vitamins B12 and K), minerals and specific pigments. Chlorella pyrenoidosa, known as ONC-107 (Respondin®), contains in particular protein complexes and polysaccharides composed of galactose, rhamnose and arabinose.

Precautions / Contraindications / Side effects

In general, it is difficult to assess the optimal doses of natural extracts above which side effects negate their effectiveness.

For chlorella, short-term supplementation is safe, but long-term use is not.

Chlorella is contraindicated in people with an allergy to chlorella, its constituents or the Oocystaceae family.

It is also contraindicated in children who are sensitive to moulds.

Other side effects include hypersensitivity to light, asthma, fatigue and skin problems.

Chlorella should be used with caution in individuals:

• Hypotension or treatment with antihypertensives.
• Taking any medicines that modulate the immune system, as chlorella can boost the immune system.
• Being treated for cancer.
• Sensitive to light.
• Taking manganese supplements. One clinical study reported a case of Parkinson's disease and high blood manganese levels due to prolonged use of chlorella extract containing 1.7 mg of manganese. These symptoms later disappeared after discontinuing use.
• Taking vitamin K in the form of supplements or food, as chlorella contains large amounts.

Interactions

Chlorella may interact with the following medications or supplements:

• Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. In fact, chlorella contains significant amounts of potassium, which may interact with warfarin, for example.
• Antihypertensives 
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Statins
• Anti-cancer agents 
• Detoxifying agents 
• Heavy metal blockers (chlorella may increase urinary excretion of the heavy metal cadmium)
• Immunosuppressants
• Vaccines: the vaccine ONC-107 (Respondin®), derived from an extract of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, may stimulate antibody responses to influenza vaccine.