Taking chlorella and spirulina for weight management is effective firstly because of their very high nutrient content. In cases of weight problems, malnutrition is often a factor and supplying complete nutrition helps to balance intense food cravings, which typically lead to over-consumption of refined foods. The second reason why taking chlorella and spirulina for maintaining a healthy weight is because of their high concentrations of a specific nutrient — gamma-linolenic acid GLA , a healthy omega-6 fatty acid that is often deficient due to modern dietary imbalances.
Do Chlorella & Spirulina support healthy weight?
GLA has a specific effect on hormonal balance and blood sugar balance. Supporting healthy blood sugar levels also helps cravings. There may be other contributing factors too. Also, proteins help build lean muscle mass, thereby making you look toned and increasing your muscle power and endurance and preventing post-exercise muscle damage 7. Spirulina is rich in vitamins C, B1, B6, B5 and E, minerals, such as copper, zinc, and manganese, useful enzymes, and dietary fiber that makes it a perfect weight loss supplement 5.
These minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and dietary fibers help in digestion and metabolism, eliminate toxins, and prevent fat absorption. Spirulina has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties 8. The antioxidants help to nullify the harmful oxygen radicals and prevent the body from producing pro-inflammatory molecules.
This prevents the body from being in a state of stress and curbs inflammation.
Chlorella: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects
Toxic build-up and inflammation are two leading factors of weight gain, which spirulina can prevent. Spirulina is also an appetite suppressant. It contains the amino acid phenylalanine that stimulates the secretion of cholecystokinin that helps to suppress appetite 9.
Many scientific studies conducted to find the benefits of spirulina have confirmed that spirulina possesses lipid-lowering properties. Consuming spirulina can boost fat mobilization, which is what is critical for weight loss 10 , High blood sugar can increase the risk of developing insulin resistance, obesity, PCOD, and diabetes.
Spirulina helps lower the blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Including spirulina in your diet can help in regulating insulin spikes, protecting you from diseases and preventing weight gain Spirulina also helps to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, making it a potent antihypertensive agent.
High in Protein
High blood pressure and stress lead to weight gain. Spirulina supplementation can lower the concentration of fats in the blood, thus preventing weight gain These are the 8 reasons spirulina is considered one of the best weight loss supplements. If you want to take spirulina tablets, it is safe to take a mg tablet times a day. But make sure you talk to your doctor before using spirulina for weight loss. The dose may vary with the problem. Further studies are required before a therapeutic recommendation is established. The FDA has approved spirulina as safe for consumption.
However, it is best to consult a doctor because you may be allergic to spirulina, do much better by consuming any other natural weight loss supplement, or not even need to consume spirulina. Also, avoid consuming spirulina if you are allergic to seafood or have hypothyroidism. Though it is safe for consumption, you may feel feverish or fatigue after you consume spirulina.
Native to Taiwan and Japan, chlorella is a good source of protein, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals such as - potassium, phosphorus, biotin, magnesium and the B-complex. It is alsorich in phytonutrients, including amino acids and beta-carotene. This superfood algae proves to be proactive in detoxing heavy metals and toxins that you may have in your body. How this works is that it wraps itself around even stubborn toxins residing in our bodies, such as lead, cadmium , mercury and uranium, and keeps them from being reabsorbed.
Chlorella is also known to help prevent cancer, reducing radiation treatment side effects and increasing white blood cell counts especially in people with HIV infection or cancer. Based on studies, chlorella enhances the action of T cells helping to fight new abnormal cells. Chlorella has also successfully shown reductions in body fat percentage, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels. It is beneficial in helping to regulate hormones, improving metabolism, blood circulation, and boosting energy.