Article at a glance:
- Chlorella is a popular superfood that has a rich nutritional profile.
- Among many of its benefits are those that may ease chronic inflammation.
- It may help certain types of arthritis and ease joint pain.
Does chlorella help with arthritis? That’s a question many people want answers to. In the U.S. alone, there are 58.5 million people who have arthritis. It has become the top cause of work disability, and the number of patients keeps growing.
It’s not easy living every day with arthritis. Joints become inflamed, resulting in discomfort and pain. Hence, many people have been seeking a way to help with this condition. Enter Chlorella; its long list of nutrients provides many health benefits, even for patients who have arthritis.
Curious to know how it helps with this health condition? Let’s dive in.
Chlorella: A Background
Known for its rich nutrient profile and many potential health benefits, chlorella is a type of single-celled green algae commonly used as a food supplement. It grows in freshwater and is natively found in the countries of Japan and Taiwan. As it grew more popular and technology advanced, chlorella growing facilities are now also found in China, India, and the United States (Hawaii).
One of the most common draws this supplement gets is that it is rich in essential nutrients. It has a dense nutritional profile that carries with it a lot of healthy compounds our bodies need. Some such nutrients include:
- Complete proteins, which means they contain all the nine essential amino acids
- Antioxidants like Vitamins C and E
- Omega-3 essential fatty acids
- Carotenoids like beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein
- Chlorophyll
- Chlorella Growth Factor
When made into nutritional supplements, manufacturers use two different kinds of chlorella: Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Many chlorella products use any of these two strains, and while they carry similar nutrients, more people like using Chlorella pyrenoidosa since it has denser nutrient content.
Finding chlorella supplements in the market is, luckily, quite easy. You can easily get them from physical health stores, pharmacies, and retailers. Online manufacturer shops and online retailers also usually have chlorella available.
This supplement is available in three common forms: chlorella powder, chlorella tablets, and chlorella liquid extracts.
Some Health Benefits of Chlorella
- It helps reduce blood pressure and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
- It helps stave off heart disease and maintains cardiovascular health.
- It maintains good digestive health.
- It boosts the immune system.
- It helps bind and get rid of heavy metals and toxins.
- It helps control blood sugar.
- It helps maintain brain health.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is the term used for the inflammation of our joints. Usually, it manifests with joint swelling, stiffness, and arthritis pain. While categorized under just a few types, there are over 100 conditions that are considered arthritis.
Some common kinds of arthritis include the following:
- Osteoarthritis comes from the wear and tear of our bones and joints in the body.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune, inflammatory condition affecting the joints.
- Juvenile Arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects children.
- Lupus is an auto-immune disease lupus may include arthritis symptoms as the body attacks the joints.
- Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is excruciating. The formation of crystals causes it because of excess uric acid in the bloodstream.
Although not technically a type of arthritis, fibromyalgia is a condition commonly associated with arthritis, as the latter is a risk factor for developing fibromyalgia. People who suffer from this usually experience widespread pain or pain all over one’s body. Some other symptoms include mental distress, sleep issues, and fatigue.
Arthritis Statistics
Arthritis is a common condition. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 1 in 4 adults (23.7%), or around 58.5 million people, have been diagnosed with arthritis.
Additionally, this condition happens more commonly among women compared to men (23.5% to 18.1%) and is more common among individuals with poor health (40.5%) compared to healthy adults (15.4%).
The CDC also touts that the prevalence of arthritis increases with age.
Is Chlorella Good for Arthritis?
Given its many nutrients, chlorella also provides a host of benefits for those suffering from certain types of arthritis pain, which has been documented by science. But how can this superfood help?
Chlorella is good for a certain type of arthritis. It’s actually most suited for those who are suffering from osteoarthritis.
As we age and use our bodies more, our joints tend to deteriorate gradually, making them more prone to inflammation. Osteoarthritis is arthritis caused by the natural wear and tear of our joints.
Chlorella can help with osteoarthritis thanks to its rich antioxidant content. Antioxidants are healthy compounds that protect our bodies from oxidative stress and free radical damage. With chlorella blocking oxidative stress from causing cell damage, it also helps slow down the otherwise rapid deterioration of our joints.
On top of this, chlorella also carries glucosamine in its cell wall. This substance helps renew and protect our cartilage, thereby helping keep our joints healthy.
Is Chlorella Good for Inflammation?
Another way that chlorella helps with osteoarthritis is its anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, a 2009 study has found that chlorella greatly helps reduce inflammation symptoms in chronic and acute inflammation cases.
Many attribute these anti-inflammatory effects of chlorella to its antioxidant content, such as lycopene. However, it may also be due to its violaxanthin content, which promotes anti-inflammatory activity.
Chlorella for Arthritis: How to Take
Chlorella is a supplement that’s generally safe to take. Unless you have an underlying health condition that chlorella may aggravate, you likely will not experience any side effects as they are few and rare.
If you want to add chlorella to your diet for arthritis relief, the recommended daily dose is within the 3 to 10-gram range. However, for more goal-focused and personalized dosage, it’s still best to ask the advice of a healthcare professional.
Chlorella and Fibromyalgia
Can chlorella help with fibromyalgia symptoms like joint pain?
Did you know that chlorella also aids in minimizing symptoms of fibromyalgia? In particular, this superfood helps reduce several symptoms of this condition, including chronic pain and fatigue.
A placebo-controlled trial conducted in 2000 observed 50 individuals with fibromyalgia who were asked to take 50 chlorella tablets and 100 ml of extract every day for 3 months. The said study found that more than half (57%) of the participants experienced an improvement in two parameters at a minimum compared to the placebo group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chlorella good for rheumatoid arthritis?
Unfortunately, chlorella and rheumatoid arthritis don’t mix well. Chlorella is known to increase the activity of the immune system. Since rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune condition, taking chlorella may cause the immune system to attack the joints, worsening pain and other symptoms.
Can you take chlorella every day?
For most people, yes, chlorella is safe to take every day. It has few side effects, and the bad side effects are rare. The only people who may need to avoid chlorella are those with serious underlying health conditions or those who have experienced allergic reactions to this supplement or iodine.
Can you take chlorella and turmeric together?
Yes, you can! Turmeric is also known to help manage arthritis. These two supplements are natural and don’t have any bad reactions you need to worry about. You can even use both in cooking tasty dishes!
Keeping the Pain and Inflammation Away with Chlorella
Among the many essential vitamins and minerals, chlorella can help ease inflammation with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Through these, chlorella can greatly help reduce the pain and symptoms caused by certain kinds of arthritis conditions. It’s a great supplement to add to your diet, not only for this but also for a wide array of benefits you can reap.
Ready to fight and avoid the signs of osteoarthritis? Try chlorella supplements today and start reaping its long list of benefits.
- Is Spirulina Good For Arteries? How Can This Help Improve Overall Heart Health - September 10, 2023
- Spirulina Blood Pressure Benefits To Take Advantage Of - September 10, 2023
- Spirulina For Cancer: How Can This Blue-Green Algae Help? - September 10, 2023
