Chlorella species is a group of freshwater microalgae that photosynthesise in a similar way to plants. Like plants chlorella produce a number of phytochemicals that are accessory pigments to photosynthetic chlorophyll, including the carotenoid lutein. Lutein is the most abundant carotenoid in nature and evidence suggests that chlorella supplements may be able to supply significant amounts of lutein to the consumer. In one study, researchers investigated the bioavailability of lutein from chlorella in order to determine if the chlorella was bioavailable. Human subjects consumed 3 or 6 grams of chlorella in the form of tablets. After 1 day of this regimen, there was a significant 34 % increase in blood levels of lutein for the 3 gram dose, and a significant 66 % increase in blood levels of lutein after the 6 gram dose. Therefore chlorella is a rich source of bioavailable lutein and this may explain some of the antioxidant capacity of chlorella. This antioxidant capacity may contribute to the health effects of chlorella supplements.
Carotenoids such as lu6ein are absorbed from the small intestine in fat droplets because carotenoids are lipid soluble. Therefore calculating the carotenoid content of foods is not enough to determine bioavailability. Other factors, such as the amount of lipids in the foods, can modify carotenoid absorption, and so the measure of bioavailability of carotenoids from food should always occur through measurements of the blood following ingestion. Two grams of chlorella may supply as much as 6 to 10 mg of lutein, and most of this can be absorbed if consumed with enough dietary fat.
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