Evidence supporting the use of: Chlorella
For the health condition: Anemia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chlorella, a type of green freshwater algae, is sometimes used as a dietary supplement to support or treat anemia, primarily due to its rich nutrient profile. Several small-scale clinical studies have explored its effects, particularly in populations at risk for anemia, such as pregnant women or individuals with chronic kidney disease. The scientific rationale is that chlorella contains significant amounts of iron, vitamin B12 (though the bioavailability in humans is debated), and folate, all of which are essential for red blood cell formation and the prevention or treatment of certain types of anemia.

A few randomized controlled trials have shown that chlorella supplementation can help increase hemoglobin levels and reduce the incidence of anemia, especially in pregnant women. For example, a 2009 study in Japanese pregnant women found that those who took chlorella had lower rates of anemia and higher hemoglobin concentrations compared to those who did not supplement. Another study in dialysis patients found mild improvements in anemia markers with chlorella supplementation.

However, the quality and size of these studies are limited, and results are not universally consistent. Systematic reviews note that while chlorella may have a modest effect on improving anemia, especially iron-deficiency anemia, the evidence remains preliminary and insufficient for broad clinical recommendations. Further, the bioavailability of iron and B12 from chlorella is still under investigation. Therefore, while there is some scientific evidence supporting its use, it is not robust, and chlorella should not replace conventional therapies for anemia.

More about chlorella
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Other ingredients used for Anemia

5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Abalone
Abrus
Achyranthes
Adzuki bean
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Ajuga
Alchornea
Alfalfa
Algae
Algal protein
Allium tuberosum
amaranth
amino acids
anchovies
Angelica
animal protein
animal Tissue
apple
Ardisia
ashwagandha
aster root
Asteraceae
astragaloside
astragalus
Auricularia
Autumn Olive
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
banana
baobab
bean
bee pollen
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
bermuda grass
berry
Bidens pilosa
biota seed
bird\'s nest
black cumin
black gram
black nightshade
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Blue-Green Alage
Boerhavia diffusa
bok choy
Bombax
bone marrow
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
bovine spleen
breadnut
broad bean
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Buckwheat
buffalo
Butea monosperma
butternut
C-phycocyanin
Caesalpinia crista
canihua
capillary artemisia
cashew
cassava
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
Celosia
cereal grass
chard
chestnut
chickpea protein
chlorella
Chlorophytum
cistanche
Citrus
coconut milk
Codonopsis
collard
cordyceps
cowpea
cumin
Curcuma
currant
Cyathula
Cynomorium
cytokines
date
deer root
dehydroascorbic acid
dodder
dog rose
Dolichos
dong quai
dong quai root
dragon fruit
dulse
dulse leaf
Eclipta
egg
Embelia
empresstree
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European five-finger grass
Fagopyrum
ferric ammonium citrate
ferric citrate
ferric orthophosphate
ferritin
fig
fish
fish protein
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
Foxtail millet
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fu ling
fulvic acid
ganoderma
garbanzo bean
garden cress
ginger
ginseng
Ginsenosides
goji berry
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
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herbal blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
hijiki
Histidine
horse gram
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hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
Ilex
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Indian tinospora
intrinsic factor
iron
jujube
jungli-bean
kale
kidney beans
kiwi
Kokilaksha
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
Labisia pumila
Lactoferrin
Land Cress
Laver
Legume protein
lemon
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Leptadenia
licorice root
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
little ironweed
longan
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lotus seed
lucuma
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maca
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Methylcobalamin
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Millet
millet seed
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nut grass
oat
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orange
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parsley
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Plankton
plantain
plum fruit
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pomelo
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protein
Prunus
pumpkin
punarnava
purslane
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
root tuber
Rosa roxburghii
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae
Rubus
Rumex acetosa
seaweed
sesame
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shen-chu
shepherd's purse
shiitake mushroom
Shilajit
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soybean
spinach
spirulina
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suma
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Taxillus chinensis
Tayuya
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Thaumatococcus daniellii
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trace minerals
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vitamin A
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vitamin B12
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vitamin D3
vitamin E
Wakame
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wheat germ
wheat grass
Wulinshen
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