Chlorella is high in the essential fatty acids, Linoleic acid and α-Linolenic acid. The term ‘essential’ refers to the fact that we cannot produce these substances within the body, so we must obtain them through our diet. Chlorella is an excellent source of these essential fatty acids, and unlike fish oil supplements is completely vegetarian.

Essential fatty acids are used by the body to build cellular membranes, and to convert into prostaglandins, which regulate the levels of cholesterol in the blood and control blood pressure. Their presence in fish oil has been isolated as a key reason that heart disease is rarest in those countries in which fish and seafood are a staple dietary Ingredient. Fish, particularly those native to the colder waters at the extremes of latitude are high In Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids. As the primary diet of most fish consists of algae and other water-borne plant life, it is hardly surprising to find these beneficial dietary essentials present in such large quantities within these sources.

About 20 of these fatty acids make up the artery cleansing, omega-3, α--Linolenic variety and it is believed that this is one reason why Chlorella has been shown to be so effective in reducing cholesterol in the body and in reducing atherosclerosis.

Breakdown per 100g:

Linoleic acid 221mg

α-Linolenic acid 577mg

The human body can produce all but two of the fatty acids it needs. These two, linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA), are widely distributed in plant oils. In addition, fish oils contain the longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Other marine oils, such as from seal, also contain significant amounts of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), which is also an omega-3 fatty acid. Although the body to some extent can convert ALA into these longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids, the omega-3 fatty acids found in marine oils help fulfill the requirement of essential fatty acids (and have been shown to have wholesome properties of their own).

Since they cannot be made in the body from other substrates and must be supplied in food, they are called essential fatty acids. Mammals lack the ability to introduce double bonds in fatty acids beyond carbons 9 and 10. Hence linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid are essential fatty acids for humans.

In the body, essential fatty acids are primarily used to produce hormone-like substances that regulate a wide range of functions, including blood pressure, blood clotting, blood lipid levels, the immune response, and the inflammation response to injury infection.

Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids and are the parent compounds of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid series, respectively. They are essential in the human diet because there is no synthetic mechanism for them. Humans can easily make saturated fatty acids or monounsaturated fatty acids with a double bond at the omega-9 position, but do not have the enzymes necessary to introduce a double bond at the omega-3 position or omega-6 position.

The essential fatty acids are important in several human body systems, including the immune system and in blood pressure regulation, since they are used to make compounds such as prostaglandins. The brain has increased amounts of linoleic and α-linolenic acid derivatives. Changes in the levels and balance of these fatty acids due to a typical Western diet rich in omega-6 and poor in omega-3 fatty acids is alleged to be associated with depression and behavioral change, including violence. The actual connection, if any, is still under investigation. Further, changing to a diet richer in omega-3 fatty acids, or consumption of supplements to compensate for a dietary imbalance, has been associated with reduced violent behavior and increased attention span, but the mechanisms for the effect are still unclear. So far, at least three human studies have shown results that support this: two school studies, as well as a double blind study in a prison.