Five randomised controlled trials, on this material.
Natural killer cell activity and early inflammatory response
In vitro and animal work had indicated that chlorella modulates immune response, but direct evidence in healthy, uninfected humans was absent. This trial was designed to address that gap.
Natural killer cell activity increased significantly at both effector-to-target ratios tested. Serum interferon-gamma and interleukin-1 beta rose significantly, and interleukin-12 showed an increasing tendency. Change values were significantly greater in the chlorella group than in placebo.
Conducted in healthy Korean adults. The authors note the results cannot be generalised to patients or to other ethnic or geographic groups, and recommend larger and longer studies.
Serum lipid and carotenoid profiles in mildly hypercholesterolaemic adults
Versus placebo: total cholesterol -1.6%, triglycerides -10.3%, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol -11%, apolipoprotein B -1.5%. Serum lutein and zeaxanthin rose 89.6% and alpha-carotene 163.6%.
The authors propose inhibition of intestinal lipid absorption as the likely mechanism, and note that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein E were unaffected.
The authors describe the lipid changes as statistically significant but modest in magnitude. The study design did not permit direct determination of cholesterol absorption.
Dietary cholesterol challenge in healthy adults
Where the preceding study asked whether chlorella lowers elevated cholesterol, this one asked whether it helps maintain healthy levels when intake rises. Healthy subjects consumed three eggs daily, providing 510 mg of dietary cholesterol, to create a controlled load.
In the placebo group, total and LDL cholesterol rose over the four weeks. In the chlorella group they were held closer to baseline, and the difference between groups reached statistical significance.
Conducted in healthy adults over a short period against a specific dietary cholesterol load. The authors recommend confirmation across broader diets and longer durations.
Three further studies — including two additional randomised trials — are catalogued in the full research dossier, alongside the reprints for the trials above. Request the papers on the Documents page.
