Article at a glance:
- Chlorella is a popular superfood used as a common dietary supplement because of its rich nutritional profile.
- When added to a regular nutrition regimen, chlorella can provide a long list of health benefits.
- Some of its many benefits affect the digestive system, and many use it as a supplement to alleviate constipation tendencies.
Is chlorella good for constipation? This superfood is known around the world for having an incredible nutritional profile. It also helps us by providing numerous health benefits, and one of them involves the digestive system. Want to learn more about taking chlorella for constipation? Read on to discover the impressive benefits of chlorella on digestion.
What Is Chlorella?
One of the most well-known and widely used superfood supplements is chlorella. It’s a type of unicellular algae that naturally grows in freshwater. It was natively found in the freshwater bodies of Taiwan and Japan.
As years pass, more information about chlorella has been discovered, including its nutrients and the benefits we can reap when we take it regularly. Many sought these benefits, and more people began taking chlorella as a dietary supplement. More manufacturers cultivated and harvested it to make supplements. Today, they are sourced from Taiwan, Japan, China, India, and the United States (Hawaii).
How Are Chlorella Supplements Manufactured
Two main strains of chlorella are used in creating supplements: chlorella vulgaris and chlorella pyrenoidosa. These two strains are both nutritious, but they have some key differences.
First, chlorella pyrenoidosa has a denser nutritional content compared to Chlorella vulgaris. This is why most prefer chlorella pyrenoidosa supplements.
Second, chlorella pyrenoidosa has a thicker cell wall than chlorella vulgaris. If unprocessed, it will be easier for our bodies to absorb its nutrients. Manufacturers can crack that cell wall, so this wouldn’t be a problem. Plus, it retains the healthy fibers and compounds found in the cell wall!
The Nutritional Value of Chlorella
For those who want to add more nutrients to their diets, taking chlorella has become a popular way of doing so. Its nutritional profile offers a lot of healthy compounds. Here are some of them:
- Protein: Chlorella is mainly made of protein, making it a good source of it. This superfood also brings complete proteins, providing all nine essential amino acids.
- Iron: Chlorella is also a good source of iron as, depending on the manufacturer, can bring in as much as 40% of a person’s recommended daily dose of iron.
- Antioxidants: If you need antioxidants, look no further than chlorella supplements. it has antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin E. On top of this, it also contains chlorophyll, which is a well-known antioxidant.
- Fiber: If you need to regulate your bowel movements, try out chlorella, as it is a good source of fiber.
- Omega-3: Chlorella is a superfood rich in omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, 3 grams of chlorella can provide as much as 100mg of omega-3
- Other Beneficial Nutrients: Besides the previous ones, chlorella also carries a long list of positive nutrients. These include B vitamins and minerals like calcium, copper, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
Chlorella for Digestive Health: 3 Benefits You Shouldn’t Miss
1. Chlorella Helps With Chronic Constipation
Can chlorella help with constipation?
If you experience constipation regularly, try out taking chlorella supplements. Yes, chlorella improves constipation symptoms. This superfood is known to carry dietary fibers. Fibers add weight and loosen your stools, making them easier to pass.
A study in 2010 observed 11 female participants who tend to have constipation. They were given 40 chlorella tablets (8 grams each) to consume over 3 weeks. The said trial also included a withdrawal period of 2 weeks.
The said trial found that participants taking chlorella experienced more frequent bowel movements compared to what they usually had before the study.
Does chlorella make you poop?
Along with the fibers, chlorella has digestive enzymes that help stimulate contractions in your intestines. This effect helps make bowel movements more frequent.
2. Chlorella Helps Relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Is chlorella good for bowel movement?
On top of taking chlorella pills for constipation being a good idea, did you know that this superfood also helps with IBS?
This superfood is rich in nutrients and antioxidants like chlorophyll, and they can help the gas and bloating you may feel. It also helps reduce diarrhea and cramps that may be connected to your gut being inflamed.
Additionally, certain toxins in the body contribute to the inflammatory response that worsens IBS. Luckily, chlorella is also known to help in detoxifying the body. It helps bind to heavy metals and other toxins so that the body easily gets rid of them.
One study has observed chlorella’s likeliness of helping relieve IBS symptoms. The study involved participants who had ulcerative colitis. They were given 10 grams of chlorella tablets and 100 ml of chlorella extract to take daily for several months. The trial results showed that participants saw a decrease in their stool frequency. There were also fewer incidents of rectal inflammation observed. The participants also noted that their symptoms were less severe, and as a result, they experienced better quality of life.
3. Chlorella Helps Maintain a Healthy Gut Biome
Chlorella growth factor, nucleic acids, and protein in chlorella also soothe and heal digestive tissues injured by toxin buildup.
There is also scientific evidence that chlorella aids in the maintenance of healthy gut microbiota. An in vitro study revolving around this suggests that this superfood helps in preserving helpful microorganisms such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus while getting rid of harmful bacteria such as E. coli.
How to Take Chlorella for Constipation
What’s the best chlorella dosage for constipation?
You must take the recommended daily dose to reap the most health benefits from chlorella. Experts believe this is between 3 to 10 grams of chlorella daily.
Whether you’re using chlorella tablets or chlorella powder for constipation relief, you can take the 3-gram dose first if you’re new to the supplement. This low enough dose gives you health benefits while helping you know if you are sensitive to chlorella.
For best results, however, that are targeted to your health and fitness goals, you should talk to your healthcare provider first. They can determine what’s the best dose to take that’s tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chlorella Cause Constipation?
It’s unlikely for chlorella to cause any constipation. After all, it’s full of fibers that help relieve constipation symptoms and not cause them. It also has numerous nutrients and digestive enzymes that support contractions in our intestines, which help things move along.
Is Chlorella a Laxative?
Laxatives are a type of drug that helps loosen stool and promote healthy bowel movements. While chlorella has a laxative effect, it’s not technically one.
Chlorella is used as a supplement and not medicine. Based on trials mentioned earlier, chlorella may help people have healthier bowel frequency, but this laxative effect is less potent than actual laxative medicine.
Nevertheless, if taken regularly, chlorella has the potential to help your digestion in its entirety, which, in turn, may lessen constipation tendencies in the long run.
Can Chlorella Cause Diarrhea?
It technically can, as diarrhea is one of chlorella’s possible side effects. However, chlorella is generally safe to take, and such side effects, including diarrhea, only happen in rare cases. So, while it’s possible, getting diarrhea from chlorella is something that’s not likely to happen.
A Happy, Healthy, Digestive System With Chlorella
Believe it or not, constipation is a common condition anyone from all walks of life may experience. Chlorella is a supplement that can help with constipation and your overall digestive health. Jam-packed with fibers and other nutrients that help with your digestive health, it’s a superfood that’s a great addition to your nutrition.
Want to maintain good digestive health? Chlorella for constipation might be the answer!
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