Spirulina and its lesser-known algae cousin chlorella have been known for years for their extraordinary health benefits. 

Spirulina and chlorella are considered superfoods due to their high concentration of nutrients and potential health benefits. Both are forms of algae that are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can support overall health and well-being.

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Spirulina is a blue-green algae that contains high levels of protein, vitamins B1, B2, and B3, and minerals such as iron, potassium, and magnesium. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help protect against cell damage and reduce inflammation in the body. 

Additionally, spirulina has been linked to improved gut health, increased energy levels, and enhanced immune function.

Chlorella, a green algae, is also packed with nutrients, including protein, vitamins C, E, and B6, and minerals like iron, magnesium and zinc. It also is known for its high chlorophyll content, which may aid in detoxification and support liver health. Chlorella has also been associated with improved cardiovascular health, enhanced immune function, and reduced inflammation.

Both spirulina and chlorella are celebrated for their detoxifying properties, particularly in binding with heavy metals and aiding in their removal from the body. Their dense concentration of nutrients and health-promoting properties make them popular among those looking to supplement a healthy diet.

Both algae products contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties and their potential benefits for heart health, brain function, and joint health. 

Spirulina contains a type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Some research suggests that consuming ALA-rich foods like spirulina may help reduce inflammation, improve heart health, and support cognitive function.

Chlorella also contains omega-3 fatty acids, including ALA and small amounts of EPA and DHA. In addition to the potential benefits of ALA mentioned above, the presence of EPA and DHA in chlorella may provide additional support for heart health, cognitive function, and joint health.

What’s the story of ENERGYbits?

Spirulina and chlorella products have been around for decades—so what’s different about Catherine Arnston’s company ENERGYbits and her spirulina and chlorella brands?

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The answer to this question has to do with quality control.

Concerns about the purity of algae products

While algae products are well-known for their nutritional benefits, there’s also a need for monitoring potential contaminants in them, such as heavy metals and cyanotoxins. Cyanotoxins are toxins produced under certain growing conditions by a bacteria called cyanobacteria, which is another name for blue-green algae.

Arnston’s research into the algae business led her to realize that there was a disturbing range of quality in spirulina and chlorella products. Depending on how and where these algae products were grown, they could contain unacceptable levels of toxins and/or other impurities. 

There have been and continue to be legitimate questions regarding the purity of algae products, particularly those sourced from China, India, as well as Japan, especially post-Fukushima. “Japan has an algae industry, but because of radioactivity concerns and studies showing higher levels of heavy metals, it is another exporter to best avoid.” ENERGYbits.com notes, citing a 2013 study by NaturalNews.com. 

Because of these quality problems, Arnston decided to focus her efforts on ensuring the highest levels of purity for her algae products. 

ENERGYbits specializes in algae nutrition with spirulina and chlorella products made under strict protocols. The company’s algae products are sourced solely from Taiwan, a country with strict requirements for its established algae industry. 

In general, Taiwanese-grown spirulina and chlorella are more expensive, but Arnston was determined to hold her algae products to the highest standards of purity regardless of higher costs. Taiwanese algae products are renewable foods as they are grown in tanks, not harvested from the ocean.

Strict growing and testing protocols

Regarding its spirulina products branded as ENERGYbits and BEAUTYbits, Arnston states: “While we cannot speak for the entire spirulina industry, [our] spirulina growing method is all natural. We use no artificial chemicals or pesticides. We grow the spirulina in pristine, freshwater tanks, harvest it, dry it, and press it into tablets. Our spirulina is tested three times for purity (and is consistently 100% pure) before you receive it,” adding that “the best spirulina products are tested by a third party that verifies no heavy metals, pesticides, or additives.”

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As for its RECOVERYbits and VITALITYbits chlorella products, the company also grows its chlorella in ultra-clean outdoor tanks, and it is tested three times to ensure it is pure and toxin-free before it is packaged and sold.

Arnston also wanted to make her products as palatable as possible, so she created the 250-milligram ENERGYbit, a tiny pill that even a child or a pill-adverse adult can learn to take with water. 

Taking spirulina and chlorella this way avoids tasting the bits. Spirulina is the stronger-tasting of the two. Chlorella is milder. It tastes like garden green in pill form.

Differences between spirulina and chlorella

Though both are types of algae, spirulina and chlorella metabolize very differently in the human body. 

“Spirulina excels in providing an energy boost, attributed to its lack of a cell wall, facilitating rapid digestion and immediate access to its rich vitamin and protein content,” according to the ENERGYbits website. “Conversely, chlorella is characterized by a highly durable cell wall, leading to a slower digestive process. This slow release enables its abundant chlorophyll to effectively purify the body.”

Catherine Arnston’s story

Catherine Arnston founded ENERGYbits after her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and was advised by her oncologist to adopt an alkaline diet for better healing. This led Arnston to research alkaline foods, where she discovered the significant health benefits of algae. 

Impressed by its nutrient density and the role it has played in Asia for fifty years to improve health and longevity, Arnston determined to introduce algae to a wider audience. 

Her efforts have turned ENERGYbits into a national company that offers algae-based products aimed at improving health, energy, and nutritional intake. Her sister fully recovered from breast cancer, which Arnston attributes in part to the alkaline diet that included algae​. 

Numerous studies underscore the significant health benefits of both spirulina and chlorella, along with the importance of ensuring the purity of these algae supplements. 

The health benefits of spirulina

Here are a few of the health benefits of spirulina that scientific research has documented:

• Research has demonstrated that spirulina reduces muscle fatigue and can help you go that extra mile during workouts. Also, taking spirulina before a cardio workout helps the body burn more fat for fuel.
  
• Studies suggest it protects the brain from damage, which could help fend off memory loss as we age. A 2013 study found that spirulina reduced neurotoxicity and inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is a major contributor to several major neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, on which this study focused.
  
• Spirulina isn’t a magic pill for weight loss, but studies have found it improves markers like body mass, waist circumference, and cholesterol levels.
  
• In a world full of pollutants, spirulina acts as an antioxidant. It helps flush out harmful heavy metals like arsenic. In one study, 250mg of spirulina plus 2mg of zinc twice daily for 16 weeks effectively treated chronic arsenic poisoning.

In short, these two super algae are loaded with tremendous health potential.

The health benefits of chlorella

Research emphasizes chlorella’s high chlorophyll content, which is beneficial for removing toxins and improving immune and gut health, longevity, and sports recovery. Chlorella’s rich nutrient profile includes vitamins, minerals, RNA/DNA, and fiber, making it a potent dietary supplement for enhancing overall health.

Chlorella continues to be a well-researched food. Here’s a sampling of chlorella’s nutritional benefits: 

• Chlorella can bind to and remove heavy metals from the body, including lead, which is very hard to eliminate once in the body. In one study, mice exposed to lead were given chlorella, resulting in a 66 percent decrease in their blood lead levels. Another study found that chlorella reduced the absorption of the heavy metal cadmium in the body.

• Chlorella has been found to support the immune system by stimulating disease-fighting cell production. For breastfeeding mothers, chlorella can stimulate antibodies that eliminate dioxins in breast milk. Dioxins are persistent and toxic environmental pollutants that are byproducts of various industrial processes and combustion activities.

• In a wide range of research, chlorella also has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, improve blood pressure, and improve aerobic endurance.

Energybits.com concludes: 

“Chlorella algae is a game changer for health. Many foods are good for getting your body the nutrients it needs, but only a handful are good at removing the toxins it doesn’t. Chlorella can help cleanse your body.”