NOW Foods CHLORELLA 1000mg: Pure Microalgae Superfood with Broken Cell Wall
Looking for a simple, natural way to add nutrient-dense greens to your daily routine? NOW Foods Chlorella 1000 mg delivers 3,000 mg of pure, whole-food microalgae per daily serving (1,000 mg per tablet). Packed with natural chlorophyll, plant-based protein, carotenoids, and trace minerals, this daily superfood gives your body clean green fuel to support vitality, immune health, and digestive balance.
Quick Product Highlights
✓Mechanically Broken Cell Wall: Special milling cracks the tough outer shell so your body can actually absorb the nutrients inside.
✓High-Potency Formula: Convenient 1,000 mg tablets give you a solid 3 g daily dose in just 3 tablets.
✓Natural Chlorophyll & Beta-Carotene: Delivers pure plant pigments without synthetic dyes or additives.
✓Clean Formulation: Non-GMO, Vegan/Vegetarian, and free of gluten, soy, dairy, wheat, and common allergens.
✓GMP Quality Assured: Packaged and strictly lab-tested for heavy metals and purity in the USA.
What Is Chlorella, and Why Does the "Broken Cell Wall" Matter?
Chlorella is a microscopic, single-celled green freshwater microalga that has lived on Earth for over two billion years. It is widely considered one of the planet's most complete whole foods because it produces food through photosynthesis at an extraordinary rate. Under a microscope, every single cell is a miniature powerhouse of proteins, nucleic acids (RNA/DNA), enzymes, vitamins, and chlorophyll.
The Problem with Raw Chlorella
Think of a raw chlorella cell like an uncracked walnut. The outer shell is made of a tough, fibrous cellulose layer called sporopollenin. The human stomach does not produce the enzyme (cellulase) needed to break this armor down. If you swallow raw chlorella with an intact wall, roughly 85% to 90% of the nutrients pass straight through your digestive tract unabsorbed.
How NOW Foods Breaks the Wall
NOW Foods utilizes a gentle mechanical pulverization process (specialized milling). This mechanically cracks the rigid exterior shell without using harsh chemicals, solvents, or extreme heat. This process raises human bioavailability from roughly 15% up to 80% or higher, giving your digestive enzymes immediate access to the rich protein, chlorophyll, and micronutrients inside.
Science-Backed Health Benefits of Chlorella 1000 mg
Unlike trendy cleanses that rely on hype, chlorella has been studied in clinical human trials across universities and research institutions worldwide. Here is what real clinical research demonstrates:
1. Natural Binding & Digestive Cleansing Support
Chlorella acts in the digestive tract like a gentle, natural sponge. The complex polysaccharides and chlorophyll molecules in the cracked cell wall have a natural biochemical affinity for heavy metals (such as lead, cadmium, and methylmercury) and persistent environmental pollutants like dioxins. When ingested, chlorella binds to these compounds in the intestine, helping carry them out of the body through normal elimination before they can be reabsorbed into circulation.
Clinical Evidence: Research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food demonstrated that maternal chlorella supplementation significantly reduced dioxin levels in breast milk while supporting protective immune proteins (Nakano et al., 2007). Additional toxicological models showed accelerated fecal excretion of heavy metals when fed microalgae cell wall material (Uchikawa et al., 2011).
2. Immune System & Natural Killer (NK) Cell Activation
Your immune system relies on frontline defense cells known as Natural Killer (NK) cells to scout out infected or irregular cells. Chlorella contains unique glycoproteins and beta-glucan fibers that help prime these immune defenders so they react quickly and efficiently when your system is challenged.
Clinical Evidence: In an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial published in Nutrition Journal, daily chlorella supplementation substantially boosted Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity and elevated positive immune signaling molecules, including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-1 beta (Kwak et al., 2012).
The carotenoids, dietary fibers, and plant sterols present in whole chlorella work together to support normal lipid metabolism in the liver. They help balance total cholesterol, support healthy blood vessel flexibility, and maintain blood pressure already within a healthy range.
Clinical Evidence: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials published in Clinical Nutrition confirmed that chlorella supplementation led to statistically significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar levels (Fallah et al., 2018).
4. Cellular Antioxidant Protection & Natural Energy
Chlorella is rich in chlorophyll (the green blood of plants), lutein, and mixed carotenoids. These compounds act as free radical scavengers, defending your cellular membranes against oxidative stress caused by exercise, poor diet, and city air pollution. Because it contains bioavailable iron and complete amino acids, many users report a steady, clean lift in daytime stamina without any caffeine jitters.
Clinical Evidence: A clinical review in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine observed that daily chlorella intake improved antioxidant enzyme levels (like superoxide dismutase) and supported physical resilience in participants undergoing daily metabolic stress (Merchant & Andre, 2001).
Complete Supplement Facts & Ingredient Listing
VitaNet provides clear, transparent label details so you know exactly what is going into your body. This product contains no hidden excipients, artificial preservatives, or chemical binders.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
† Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide, and Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source).
Allergen Information: Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Product Characteristics: Pure green speckled tablets. Delivers the natural nutrient profile found in genuine whole foods. Natural color variation may occur from batch to batch.
How to Take NOW Chlorella 1000 mg for Best Results
Because chlorella is a potent whole green food, introducing it correctly ensures you get all the benefits without any mild tummy rumbles.
Suggested Serving
Take 3 tablets daily. You can take all 3 tablets at once with breakfast or lunch, or split them up (1 tablet with each of your 3 main meals). Always take them with a large 8 oz glass of pure water.
Beginner Tip: The "Slow-Ramp" Method
If your digestive tract is sensitive to raw fiber or you rarely eat green leafy vegetables, start with 1 tablet daily for the first 3 to 4 days. Once your stomach feels completely comfortable, increase to 2 tablets for a few days, then reach the full 3-tablet serving.
What to Expect (The Green Stool Effect)
Do not be alarmed if your bowel movements take on a noticeable greenish hue! Chlorella has one of the highest natural concentrations of chlorophyll on Earth. A greener stool simply confirms that active chlorophyll is traveling through your intestines, soothing tissues and carrying away waste.
Important Safety & Cautions
GI Sensitivity: In sensitive individuals, chlorella may occasionally cause mild gas, cramping, or loose stools during the first few days of use. Reducing your dose generally resolves this quickly.
Blood Thinners (Warfarin / Coumadin): Microalgae contain natural dietary Vitamin K, which aids normal blood clotting. If you take prescription anticoagulant medications, speak with your healthcare provider before taking chlorella to ensure consistent Vitamin K intake.
Pregnancy & Nursing: While clinical studies have evaluated chlorella during pregnancy and lactation, always consult your physician or obstetrician before introducing new dietary supplements.
Chlorella vs. Spirulina: Which Green Superfood Is Right for You?
Shoppers frequently ask us whether they should choose chlorella or spirulina. While both are celebrated green superfoods, they possess distinct biological differences:
The Bottom Line: If your primary goal is digestive cleansing, binding unwanted waste, and getting maximum chlorophyll, Chlorella 1000 mg is the premier choice. Many wellness enthusiasts choose to take both together for comprehensive full-spectrum nutrition!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes NOW Foods Chlorella 1000 mg better than cheap chlorella powders?
Two key factors: cell wall processing and purity testing. Cheap chlorella often skips mechanical milling, leaving cell walls intact and rendering the tablets largely indigestible. Furthermore, microalgae can absorb heavy metals from their growth waters; NOW Foods independently tests every batch for lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and biological contaminants in their ISO-accredited laboratories.
Why is chlorella called a "broken cell wall" supplement?
Because human digestive enzymes cannot digest raw chlorella's hard outer cellulose shell. NOW Foods uses high-pressure mechanical milling to fracture this shell without destroying delicate enzymes or phytonutrients, raising absorption from roughly 15% to more than 80%.
How many tablets should I take per day?
The recommended daily serving is 3 tablets daily, providing 3,000 mg (3 g) of broken cell wall chlorella. You can take all 3 with a meal or spread them out as 1 tablet with each main meal.
Can chlorella help detoxify heavy metals?
Yes, chlorella supports your body's natural elimination pathways. Its fibrous cell wall acts as an intestinal binder that latches onto toxins, heavy metals, and chemicals in the digestive tract, aiding their exit through the stool before they can be reabsorbed. It is a natural dietary aid, not an emergency prescription chelation medicine.
Does chlorella cause side effects or digestive upset?
Some first-time users may experience mild digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, or mild stomach cramps as their gut microbiome adjusts. Starting with 1 tablet daily and drinking plenty of water minimizes any adjustment discomfort.
Is NOW Foods Chlorella 1000 mg vegan and allergen-free?
Yes. It is 100% vegetarian and vegan friendly. It is formulated without wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, or sesame.
References & Clinical Studies
Kwak, J. H., Baek, S. H., Woo, Y., et al. (2012). Beneficial immunostimulatory effect of short-term Chlorella supplementation: enhancement of Natural Killer cell activity and early inflammatory response. Nutrition Journal, 11:53.
Fallah, A. A., Sarmast, E., Habibian Dehkordi, S., et al. (2018). Effect of Chlorella supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Nutrition, 37(6 Pt A):1892-1901.
Nakano, S., Takekoshi, H., & Nakano, M. (2007). Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) supplementation decreases dioxin and increases immunoglobulin A concentrations in breast milk. Journal of Medicinal Food, 10(1):134-142.
Merchant, R. E., & Andre, C. A. (2001). A review of recent clinical trials of the nutritional supplement Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the treatment of certain chronic diseases. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(3):79-91.
Uchikawa, T., Kumamoto, Y., Maruyama, I., et al. (2011). Enhanced elimination of tissue methylmercury in Parachlorella beijerinckii-fed mice. The Journal of Toxicological Sciences, 36(1):121-126.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any new nutritional supplement regimen.