Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that people can take as a dietary supplement. People consider spirulina a superfood due to its excellent nutritional content and health benefits. Spirulina has a high protein and vitamin content, which makes it an excellent dietary supplement for people on vegetarian or vegan diets.
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 ...
Is spirullina a low cost food supplement?
Spirulina strengthens the fight against malnutrition because it is low cost and easy to administer as it is in the form of granules and a very small quantity has to be given to the child.
What is the best spirulina supplement?
- Now Foods Organic Spirulina
- Pure Hawaiian Spirulina
- Healthforce Spirulina Manna
- Source Naturals Organic Spirulina
- Dr. Mercola Spiru Blue
- Viva Naturals Spirulina Powder
- Triquetra Health Organic Spirulina Tablets
- Swanson Organic Spirulina
- Solaray Spirulina
- GNC Superfoods Spirulina
Why is Spirulina a superfood?
Spirulina is a good source of:
- Thiamine ( v itamin B1)
- Riboflavin ( v itamin B2)
- Niacin ( v itamin B3)
- Copper
- Iron
What is spirulina supplement used for?
Spirulina is rich in a range of vitamins and minerals essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, like vitamins E, C, and B6. Research finds that spirulina also boosts the production of white blood cells and antibodies that fight viruses and bacteria in your body.
Is it safe 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.
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.
Is spirulina good for weight loss?
Although caloric restriction and exercise are the mainstay treatments for obesity, spirulina has shown significant benefits in aiding weight loss.
Does spirulina make you gain weight?
Spirulina Calories and Nutrition It takes an extra 3,500 calories over and above your daily needs to gain a pound. A tablespoon of dried spirulina, which is how you're most likely to find it sold, contains only 20 calories, so it would take quite a bit of spirulina to cause weight gain.
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.
Is spirulina hard on the kidneys?
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.
Can spirulina cause hair loss?
It may help keep your blood sugar levels in check. Since high blood sugar can lead to the production of DHT, a hormone that leads to hair loss, eating more spirulina is a great way to keep your hair intact and healthy. In addition to helping prevent hair loss, this algae powerhouse may also promote hair growth.
Is spirulina a multivitamin?
Spirulina supplements will not contain as many different vitamins and minerals as most multivitamins, and they aren't formulated to have an optimal amount of each vitamin and mineral so they may not consistently contain the same amounts of vitamins and minerals.
How can I reduce my tummy in 7 days?
Additionally, check out these tips for how to burn belly fat in less than a week.Include aerobic exercises in your daily routine. ... Reduce refined carbs. ... Add fatty fish to your diet. ... Start the day with a high protein breakfast. ... Drink enough water. ... Reduce your salt intake. ... Consume soluble fiber.
What 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 long does it take for spirulina to work?
It takes about 1-3 weeks for you to notice a change in energy levels. The results differ from person to person and obviously depend on your condition. Tip; drink plenty of water every day. Most people around normally ask, where can spirulina be found?
Can spirulina be taken long term?
Prolonged consumption of spirulina that comes from such undependable sources results in damage to your vital organs, such as the kidneys and liver. Compared to adults, children are at a higher risk of developing fatal complications due to heavy metal poisoning from contaminated spirulina.
How often should you take spirulina?
You can take spirulina tablets or use spirulina powder in your diet. In total, you should aim to have 5 grams of spirulina a day (most studies research the health benefits based on a 1-10 gram a day dose).
How many months should I take spirulina?
Spirulina is a blue-green algae product. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), people have used doses of up to 19 g per day for a maximum of 2 months and up to 10 g per day for a maximum of 6 months. People should not exceed the dose stated on the product label.
When should spirulina be taken morning or night?
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.
What does spirulina do to the body?
Evidence suggests spirulina has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cholesterol-lowering properties. It may help treat or manage con...
How does spirulina affect weight?
Research suggests spirulina can help reduce body fat, waist circumference, BMI, and appetite, which could make it useful as part of a weight-manage...
Is spirulina safe?
A person should always buy from a reputable source, check it has undergone testing, and follow the instructions on the label. It may not be safe du...
What is the advantage of spirulina?
Its advantage for food security is that it needs less land and water than livestock to produce protein and energy. Dried spirulina contains 5% water, 24% carbohydrates, 8% fat, and about 60% (51–71%) protein (table).
What is a spirulina?
Spirulina (dietary supplement) Spirulina is a biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and animals. The three species are Arthrospira platensis, A. fusiformis, and A. maxima . Cultivated worldwide, Arthrospira is used as a dietary supplement or whole food. It is also used as a feed supplement in ...
Why is spirulina being investigated?
Food and nutrition. As an ecologically sound, nutrient-rich dietary supplement, spirulina is being investigated to address food security and malnutrition, and as dietary support in long-term space flight or Mars missions.
Why did the Aztecs use spirulina?
Spirulina was found in abundance at Lake Texcoco by French researchers in the 1960s, but no reference to its use by the Aztecs as a daily food source was made after the 16th century, probably because of the draining of the surrounding lakes for agriculture and urban development.
Is spirulina contaminated with mercury?
Heavy-metal contamination of spirulina supplements has also raised concern. The Chinese State Food and Drug Administration reported that lead, mercury, and arsenic contamination was widespread in spirulina supplements marketed in China.
Is spirulina good for diabetes?
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, scientific evidence is insufficient to recommend spirulina supplementation for any human condition, and more research is needed to clarify whether consumption yields any benefits. Administration of spirulina has been investigated as a way to control glucose in people with diabetes, but the European Food Safety Authority rejected those claims in 2013. Spirulina has been studied as a potential nutritional supplement for adults and children affected by HIV, but there was no conclusive effect on risk of death, body weight, or immune response.
Is spirulina a good source of vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12. Spirulina contains no vitamin B 12 naturally (see table), and spirulina supplements are not considered to be a reliable source of vitamin B 12, as they contain predominantly pseudovitamin B 12 (Coα- [α- (7-adenyl)]-Coβ-cyanocobamide), which is biologically inactive in humans.
What is spirulina good for?
Spirulina is rich in a range of vitamins and minerals essential for maintaining a healthy immune system , like vitamins E, C, and B6. Research finds that spirulina also boosts the production of white blood cells and antibodies that fight viruses and bacteria in your body.
What is the taste of spirulina?
Spirulina has a bitter taste, so people often mix it with yogurts, juices, and smoothies to improve its flavor. Spirulina is commonly available as a supplement at health food stores.
Does spirulina help with triglycerides?
These are fats in your blood that can contribute to the hardening of arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and pancreatitis . Spirulina increases nitric oxide production in your body as well, which helps your blood vessels relax.
Does spirulina cause cancer?
Chronic inflammation contributes to cancer and other diseases. Phycocyanin — the a plant pigment that gives spirulina its blue-green color — has been found to not only reduce inflammation in the body, but also block tumor growth and kill cancer cells.
Is spirulina a plant based protein?
Spirulina is a potent source of nutrients. It contains a powerful plant-based protein called phycocyanin. Research shows this may have antioxidant, pain-relief, anti-inflammatory, and brain-protective properties. This antioxidant and other nutrients in spirulina are linked with several health benefits:
Does spirulina help with cholesterol?
Heart Health. Research has found that the protein in spirulina can reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol, lowering cholesterol levels. This helps keep your arteries clear, reducing strain on your heart that can lead to heart disease and stroke -causing blo od clots . Its protein also reduces triglyceride levels.
Can you take spirulina with diabetes?
Medication Interactions. Spirulina’s health benefits may interact with or counter certain medications' effects, including those used to treat diabetes, immunosuppressants, and blood thinners. B12 deficiency.
Why is spirulina considered a superfood?
That’s why nutritionists today call Spirulina a type of superfood because it’s rich in nutrients that can improve your health.
Is spirulina GMO free?
A lot of people get trapped into illegal shopping just to get the cheaper deal of Spirulina. Still, nothing guarantees that it’s GMO-free or natural spirulina and not some synthetic and potentially harmful substance.
How many calories are in spirulina?
In addition, the same amount holds only 20 calories and 1.7 grams of digestible carbs. Gram for gram, spirulina may be the single most nutritious food on the planet.
How much spirulina is in a tablespoon?
Gram for gram, spirulina may be the single most nutritious food on the planet. A tablespoon (7 grams) of spirulina provides a small amount of fat — around 1 gram — including both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in an approximately 1.5–1.0 ratio.
What is spirulina algae?
Summary Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that grows in both salt and fresh water. It may be one of the most nutrient-dense foods on earth. 2. Powerful Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties. Oxidative damage can harm your DNA and cells.
Is spirulina a cyanobacteria?
Spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria — often referred to as blue-green algae — that is incredibly healthy. It may improve your levels of blood lipids, suppress oxidation, reduce blood pressure and lower blood sugar.
Does spirulina cause cancer?
Oxidative damage can harm your DNA and cells. This damage can drive chronic inflammation, which contributes to cancer and other diseases ( 5 ). Spirulina is a fantastic source of antioxidants, which can protect against oxidative damage. Its main active component is called phycocyanin.
Is spirulina good for you?
Spirulina is among the world’s most popular supplements. It is loaded with various nutrients and antioxidants that may benefit your body and brain. Here are 10 evidence-based health benefits of spirulina. We include products we think are useful for our readers.
Does spirulina help with blood pressure?
Summary Spirulina may have anti-cancer properties and appears especially effective against a type of precancerous lesion of the mouth called OSMF. 6. May Reduce Blood Pressure. High blood pressure is a main driver of many serious diseases, including heart attacks, strokes and chronic kidney disease.
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.
Where can I buy spirulina?
A: Spirulina is pretty easy to find at any health foods store, but if you want a top-rated supplement, you’ll probably want to shop online . Spirulina is fairly popular, so there are a lot of products out there. However, you want one that has a high dosage and not much in the way of other ingredients.
What is spirulina derived from?
Fact checked by Peter Tzemis, BHSc - Written by John Davis. Spirulina is a dietary supplement derived from sea algae that is valued for its incredibly high vitamin, mineral, and protein content, as well as its powerful antioxidant effects. Because of the “superpower” properties, it is found in many superfood green drinks.
What are the nutrients in athletic greens?
On top of the antioxidant power of spirulina and the other superfood ingredients, you also get crucial minerals for athletic performance, like zinc, copper, and magnesium.
How much spirulina should I take a day?
There’s still a lack of large, high-quality studies on spirulina in humans, so the dosages that have been used successfully range from about one to ten grams of raw spirulina powder per day.
What is the best spirulina powder for smoothies?
Best spirulina for smoothies: Micro Ingredients Organic Spir ulina. If you’re adding spirulina to a smoothie with lots of other ingredients, you want something that’s ultra-concentrated. Micro Ingredients is top-notch in this regard, providing a high dose in a powder that’s easy to mix into smoothies and shakes.
Where is Hawaiian spirulina derived from?
Check price at Amazon. Each tablet of this spirulina supplement contains half a gram of pure spirulina, derived from a special farm in Kona, Hawaii. This promises better purity control than supplements sourced elsewhere, and the nutrient content of this spirulina is excellent.
What is the process of producing spirulina?
A: Spirulina is produced by cyanobacteria, which are a type of “blue green algae” which produce energy via photosynthesis. Technically, spirulina isn’t produced by algae; it’s more in line with a probiotic than anything else.
Why is spirulina dangerous?
). For those taking blood thinners or who have bleeding disorders, spirulina may be dangerous because it could lessen your blood’s ability to clot, causing more bruising and bleeding ( 2 ).
What is spirulina algae?
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that grows in both fresh- and saltwater. It’s also commercially produced for use in food and supplements ( 1. Trusted Source. , 2 ). Because it packs 60% protein by weight, as well as various vitamins and minerals, it’s widely used as a food source in certain parts of Mexico and Africa ( 1. Trusted Source.
Can you buy spirulina from a trusted brand?
To avoid spirulina that has been contaminated with microcystins or toxins, only purchase products from trusted brands that have been tested by third-party organizations, such as U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or NSF International.
Does spirulina cause autoimmune disease?
Because spirulina boosts your immune system, it may worsen certain autoimmune diseases — such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis — in which your immune system attacks your body ( 2 ).
Is spirulina contaminated?
May be contaminated with toxins. Spirulina harvested in the wild poses a significant risk of contamination. The algae may harbor toxins if it grows in a body of water that’s polluted with heavy metals, bacteria, or harmful particles called microcystins ( 2 ).
Is spirulina safe for allergies?
Trusted Source. ). Spirulina and other algae also contain phenylalanine, a compound that people with phenylketonuria (PKU) — a rare inherited condition — should strictly avoid ( 2 ).
Is spirulina bad for you?
Still, this supplement is widely considered safe, and most people experience no side effects ( 2 ). Spirulina may be contaminated with harmful compounds, thin your blood, and worsen autoimmune conditions.
Overview
Spirulina is a biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and animals. The three species are Arthrospira platensis, A. fusiformis, and A. maxima.
Cultivated worldwide, Arthrospira is used as a dietary supplement or whole food. It is also used as a feed supplement in the aquaculture, aquarium, and poultry indu…
Etymology and ecology
The species A. maxima and A. platensis were once classified in the genus Spirulina. The common name, spirulina, refers to the dried biomass of A. platensis, which belongs to photosynthetic bacteria that cover the groups Cyanobacteria and Prochlorophyta. Scientifically, a distinction exists between spirulina and the genus Arthrospira. Species of Arthrospira have been isolated …
Historical use
Spirulina was a food source for the Aztecs and other Mesoamericans until the 16th century; the harvest from Lake Texcoco in Mexico and subsequent sale as cakes were described by one of Cortés' soldiers. The Aztecs called it tecuitlatl.
Spirulina was found in abundance at Lake Texcoco by French researchers in the 1960s, but no reference to its use by the Aztecs as a daily food source was made after the 16th century, proba…
Food and nutrition
As an ecologically sound, nutrient-rich dietary supplement, spirulina is being investigated to address food security and malnutrition, and as dietary support in long-term space flight or Mars missions. Its advantage for food security is that it needs less land and water than livestock to produce protein and energy.
Dried spirulina contains 5% water, 24% carbohydrates, 8% fat, and about 60% (51–71%) protein (ta…
Research
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, scientific evidence is insufficient to recommend spirulina supplementation for any human condition, and more research is needed to clarify whether consumption yields any benefits. Administration of spirulina has been investigated as a way to control glucose in people with diabetes, but the European Food Safety Authority rejected those claims in 2013. Spirulina has been studied as a potential nutritional supplement f…
Advocates
In the late 1980s and early 90s, both NASA (CELSS) and the European Space Agency (MELiSSA) proposed spirulina as one of the primary foods to be cultivated during long-term space missions.
Risks
Spirulina may have adverse interactions when taken with prescription drugs, particularly those affecting the immune system and blood clotting.
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium, others of which produce toxins such as microcystins. Some spirulina supplements have been found to be contaminated with microcystins, albeit at levels below the limit set by the Oregon Health Department. Microcystins can cause gastrointestinal up…
See also
• Aphanizomenon flos-aquae