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is spirulina safe for kidneys

by Susie Gutmann Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Based on researchgate.net studies, the “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties of Spirulina prevents the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and cardiovascular complications.” Kidneys can heal itself with the help of proper diet, moderate exercise and nourishment from spirulina

Spirulina

Spirulina is a cyanobacterium (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and other animals. There are two species, Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima. Arthrospira is cultivated worldwide; used as a dietary supplement as well as a whole food; and is also …

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These researchers, however, go on to suggest that it is not prudent to eat more than 50 g of spirulina daily. The reason they give is that the plant contains a high concentration of nucleic acids, substances related to DNA. When these are metabolized, they create uric acid, which could cause gout or kidney stones.

Full Answer

Who should not take spirulina?

Spirulina is generally safe to use but may cause allergy, headaches, insomnia, muscle pain, and sweating in some. Because of its possible effect on the immune system, spirulina should be avoided in people with autoimmune diseases or on immunosuppressive therapies. Pregnant and nursing people or those with phenylketonuria should also avoid ...

What is spirulina and what are its health benefits?

What are the benefits of spirulina?

  1. Excellent nutritional profile. Spirulina is high in protein and vitamins. ...
  2. Losing weight. People can usually lose weight if they eat fewer calories than they use. ...
  3. Improving gut health. ...
  4. Managing diabetes. ...
  5. Lowering cholesterol. ...
  6. Reducing blood pressure. ...
  7. Preventing heart disease. ...
  8. Boosting metabolism. ...
  9. Reducing allergy symptoms. ...
  10. Antitoxic action. ...

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Is spirulina good or bad?

While spirulina is safe, it’s important to be aware of potential dangers and to get it from a trusted and proven source. Many commercially-available brands of spirulina have low levels of heavy metals that do not fall within an unsafe range, according to a study published in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences in 2013.

How does spirulina affect your health?

When consumed in excess, these compounds can present health concerns:

  • High intake of protein, chlorophyll and iron may cause gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, nausea or cramps.
  • Excess phosphorus can adversely affect the kidneys.
  • In high concentrations, manganese may contribute to neurotoxicity.

Is spirulina good for kidneys and liver?

Researchers concluded that spirulina and vitamin C may help reduce cancer patients' risk of liver damage or renal failure after receiving Cisplatin. They suggested that a supplementation regimen of spirulina and vitamin C be adopted before and during chemotherapy cycles.

Who should not take spirulina?

You should avoid spirulina if you take blood thinners or have an autoimmune condition, bleeding disorder, allergies, or PKU. If you're unsure whether this supplement is right for you, consult your doctor.

What are the dangers of spirulina?

But Spirulina may become contaminated with toxic metals, harmful bacteria and microcystins — toxins produced from some algae —if it is grown in unsafe conditions. Contaminated Spirulina can cause liver damage, nausea, vomiting, thirst, weakness, rapid heartbeat, shock and even death.

Can spirulina lower creatinine?

Effect of spirulina on cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction On the other hand, pretreatment with Spirulina at a dose of 1000 mg/kg significantly improved the concentration of both creatinine and BUN as shown by a significant reduction in plasma creatinine and BUN concentration when compared with cisplatin-treated group.

Is it OK to take spirulina everyday?

Up to 8 grams of spirulina per day is safe, and many people add it to their shakes or smoothies because it comes in powder form.

Is spirulina high in potassium?

Below is list of some of the essential minerals you receive in 10 gram of dried Spirulina compared with more traditional sources: Iron: 2.9 mg – more iron than beef (recommended daily iron consumption) – M 8mg F 18mg. Potassium: 114 mg – more potassium than bananas (recommended potassium intake) 4700 mg.

Is spirulina hard on the liver?

Spirulina has been implicated in isolated case reports in causing clinically apparent liver injury, but the role of spirulina as opposed to other herbal components or contaminants has not been shown. Liver injury due to spirulina must be very rare if it occurs at all.

Is spirulina safe for liver?

There is evidence that suggests Spirulina may help to protect against liver damage, cirrhosis and liver failure in those with chronic liver disease.

What is the safest spirulina?

What is the safest spirulina? The most reliable spirulina brands include FUL®, NOW Foods, New Farmers, Earthrise, Zhou's Non-GMO Spirulina Powder, HealthForce Spirulina Manna, and Sari Foods.

When is the best time to take spirulina?

When should I take spirulina? Generally, it doesn't matter how and when you take spirulina, the supplement will still be effective. However, some specialists recommend taking it at least four hours before going to bed.

How much spirulina should I take daily?

How much Spirulina should you take, and when? As a dietary supplement, the recommended minimum amount is three grams daily – one teaspoon of powder or six 500 mg tablets. Since it is a pure and natural food, you may safely take more, to suit your personal health program.

Is Chlorella good for kidney disease?

Chlorella supplements could help promote heart and kidney health, which is essential for normal blood pressure.

How to prevent permanent damage to kidneys?

This is best done by taking the excellent plant extract of Solidago, as contained in Nephrosolid, a remedy that should be kept in every home.

What is the best tonic for kidneys?

A general tonic for the kidneys is: Nephrosolid from A Vogel used in conjunction with Urticalcin. Please also ensure that you drink enough filtered water daily.

What is Vogel's Nephrosolid?

This formula is particularly useful for post-menopausal women who suffer from an irritable bladder due to hormonal changes. A Vogel’s Nephrosolid herbal drops have a powerful formula to assist with kidney drainage as well as preventing kidney stones from forming.

What is a Vogel's Urticalcin tablet?

A Vogel’s Urticalcin tablets are a biological plant calcium supplement which is well absorbed. Calcium is essential for healthy functioning of the kidneys and to maintain a reasonable alkalinity in the urine. This calcium preparation is of particular importance to people suffering from kidney stones and gout.

Is Nephrosolid good for pregnancy?

Nephrosolid is very useful to ensure healthy kidney function during pregnancy. A Vogel’s Prostasan drops or capsules is a herbal formula to assist men who suffer from enlarged prostate which can be the cause of poor urination flow or the urge to want to pass urine constantly.

Can kidneys be protected from salt?

Just to prove the point, the patient would again be given sugar on a test basis and, sure enough, the pains would return. It is generally known that the kidneys can be rendered a great service and protected if the intake of salt is reduced to a minimum. Bacterial poisons, likewise, have a detrimental effect on them.

Is there a restriction on dietary intake for stage 2 kidney disease?

dac0214. FWIW, at stage 2, there are usually no dietary restrictions. HOWEVER, keep in mind that your kidneys are NOT able to process as much protein as a 'healthy' person can.

Can protein supplements affect blood work?

Also, taking protein supplements WILL screw up your blood test results. At the very least, you need to let your doctor know just how much of this stuff you are taking BEFORE getting blood work.

Can protein supplements affect creatinine levels?

And, also, keep in mind that blood numbers DO vary considerably from one day to the next. Your creatinine level especially will be affected by protein supplements.

Is taking herbal supplements dangerous?

A full 90% of the supplements taken are ill -advised, and a few are actually dangerous. Many herbal supplements have hidden problems such as being anti-coagulants, which can REALLY cause problems for dialysis patients. My advice to you is this: NEVER, EVER take health/diet advice from anybody who is not qualified.

Can a doctor help you with creatinine?

Doctors WILL help you IF you demand action. Ideally you shouldn't need to make a fuss, but even the best nephrologist needs a 'kick in the posterior' once in a while. Still, your post raises a few things that you need to address yourself, first.#N#Stage 2 is very early in the process. At worst, you still have many, many years of good health left. And, also, keep in mind that blood numbers DO vary considerably from one day to the next. Your creatinine level especially will be affected by protein supplements. I think you need to make an appointment with a dietician if you plan to continue taking unusual dietary supplements. From what I've read about this particular supplement, I'm still not certain just what you are looking to gain by taking it, and a dietician might find a reason why you should not take it. At the very least, a dietician will be able to give you advice on things that are not only safe, but effective as well.#N#The problem with most dietary supplements is that people take the wrong supplements, or are working on bad advice. A full 90% of the supplements taken are ill-advised, and a few are actually dangerous. Many herbal supplements have hidden problems such as being anti-coagulants, which can REALLY cause problems for dialysis patients. My advice to you is this: NEVER, EVER take health/diet advice from anybody who is not qualified. You need to save your remaining kidney function for as long as you can, and playing 'doctor' with dietary supplements that you don't understand is a very good way to damage your kidneys. Beware.

What is a spirulina plant?

Spirulina is a type of blue-green microalgae that is able to grow in both fresh and salt water and is consumed by humans and other animals. There are two species of the spirulina plant, including Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima.

How much spirulina should I take daily?

A common question when first trying out this incredible ingredient is: how much spirulina should I take daily? Although there’s no standard spirulina dosage, most studies have found a beneficial effect when consuming 1–8 grams per day. For reference, one tablespoon of blue spirulina is about 7 grams.

What is the difference between chlorella and spirulina?

Spirulina grows best in low-alkaline conditions — particularly, fresh water lakes, ponds and rivers. It also requires an abundance of sunshine and moderate temperatures. Chlorella, on the other hand, grows in fresh water typically occupied by other organisms, which makes it more challenging to harvest. 3.

How long do rabbits need spirulina?

A recent animal study published in The Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology took rabbits, fed them a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) containing 0.5 percent cholesterol for four weeks, and then fed them a HCD with 1 percent or 5 percent spirulina for an additional eight weeks.

What is the shape of a spirulina?

Shape. First of all, spirulina is a spiral-shaped, multi-celled plant with no true nucleus. It’s blue-green in hue and can grow up to 100 times the size of chlorella. Comparably, chlorella is a spherical-shaped single-celled microorganism with a nucleus and is solid green. 2. How It’s Grown.

Which is healthier, chlorella or spirulina?

Finally, although both are considered superfoods, spirulina and chlorella differ in their nutritional content. Arguably the healthier of the two, spirulina contains more essential amino acids, iron, protein, B vitamins, and vitamins C, D and E.

Where is spirulina grown?

Grown around the world from Mexico to Africa to even Hawaii, spirulina is renowned for its intense flavor and even more powerful nutrition profile.

What is the name of the disorder that causes the patient to not metabolize phenylalanine?

1. Worsens Phenylketonuria. Phenylketonuria is a genetically acquired disorder in which the patient cannot metabolize the amino acid called phenylalanine due to the lack of an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase.

Is spirulina a single cell supplement?

If so, you’d be shocked to learn about the other side of one such popular single cell supplement – spirulina. Scroll down to find out how spirulina, the superfood, is harmful to you, how it introduces toxins in a healthy body, and more fatal side effects.

Does spirulina cause edema?

Triggers Edema And Body Weight Fluctuation. Spirulina is packed with vitamins, proteins, and minerals. People with compromised renal function would be unable to expel the unnecessary components from their bloodstream. One of the most abundant minerals found in spirulina is iodine.

Does spirulina interfere with immunosuppressants?

Interferes With Drug Action. Spirulina is an irritant to your immune system. It can interfere with drugs, especially immunosuppressants. A person on immunosuppressant medication must not consume spirulina. Else, it will diminish the effect of the medication, resulting in serious complications. 4.

Can you take spirulina powder in a smoothie?

People consume spirulina orally in the form of powder, flakes, or tablets for several health benefits. Spirulina powder and flakes are usually added to fruit juices and smoothies. It can have an adverse impact on your health if you do not take it in controlled doses. Read on to find out how.

Is spirulina a microalgae?

Spirulina is free-floating filamentous microalgae growing in alkaline water bodies. Due to its high nutritional value, spirulina has been consumed as food for centuries in Central Africa. It is now widely used as a nutraceutical food supplement worldwide. People consume spirulina orally in the form of powder, flakes, ...

Does spirulina affect thyroid?

While on the one hand, it is good to take in iodine via spirulina, on the other hand, it could affect your thyroid and parathyroid glands. The effects are more pronounced in people with hyperparathyroidism.

What is chlorella and spirulina?

In the quest for supplements to boost your health, you may encounter chlorella and spirulina, two types of blue-green algae. You may also encounter a number of claims about these supplements' health benefits, from spirulina for heavy metal detox to chlorella for chronic conditions like hypertension. Video of the Day.

Is spirulina regulated by the FDA?

Harvard Health Publishing adds that spirulina, like other dietary supplements, is not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, there's no guarantee that any supplement you buy will be free of contaminants or contain the amount of spirulina indicated on the label. Advertisement.

Can spirulina affect blood thinners?

URMC notes that spirulina may impact the effectiveness of blood thinners.

Is chlorella a good supplement?

At best, chlorella and spirulina may offer certain health benefits, though those benefits are generally not scientifically proven, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Advertisement. At worst, there can be adverse results of taking chlorella and spirulina. Side effects may be more pronounced if these supplements are taken in excess, ...

Does spirulina help with hair?

Study participants largely reported that spirulina benefits skin and that chlorella and spirulina intake had improved their hair and skin quality. Although these benefits are not directly evidenced, say the authors, the claim is nonetheless plausible, given the nutritional content of these supplements.

Does spirulina help the immune system?

The same is true of claims that spirulina can boost the immune system and improve kidney and liver function. When taken at the recommended dosage, spirulina side effects are few, says Harvard Health Publishing.

Is chlorella harmful to skin?

Regardless of whether chlorella or spirulina benefits skin, improves chronic conditions or aids overall health, it's important to understand the possible risks. Certain forms of blue-green algae may be contaminated with microcystins and anatoxins, both highly toxic substances, says Winchester Hospital.

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