spirulina side effects

Is spirulina bad for You?

09/02/2022 · What are Spirulina Side Effects? Headaches. Thirst and constipation associated with Spirulina use can be combated by consuming an extra liter of water along with the supplement. The ... Gas and Intestinal Problems. Fever and Nausea. People With Existing Conditions. Precautions for Children and in ...

What should I look for in spirulina?

Primarily, Spirulina side effects will most likely be the result of an individual being allergic to it. People who suffer from gastric issues or abdominal gas problems could experience stomach pain, diarrhea, bowel problems, hiccups, unwanted gas, and so forth.

Why does spirulina give Me headaches?

27/06/2019 · Millions of people are having problems and irritations from allergies to dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and many more. Stuffy nose, watery eyes, or itchy throat, are the symptoms of allergies. Animal studies suggest that spirulina stops the release of histamine, which is responsible for symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

What are the benefits of spirulina for cancer treatment?

Spirulina is produced in nature hence, more often than not; there are no substantial spirulina side effects to human being. Albeit, a few people may witness some symptoms after consuming Spirulina, which may include: Fever: Due to the high content of protein in this water plant, the most general spirulina side effect reported is minor increase in the body temperature. This is …

Can spirulina be harmful?

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.06-Feb-2018

Does spirulina make you gain weight?

It takes quite a lot of spirulina to cause weight gain. Any food, including spirulina, can make you fat if you eat too much of it. In the case of spirulina, however, you'd have to eat a very large amount of it for it to lead to weight gain.

What should not be taken with spirulina?

However, it is possible that spirulina might interfere with drugs given to suppress the immune system, including:Adalimumab (Humira)Azathioprine (Imuran)Cyclosporine (Neoral)Etanercept (Enbrel)Infliximab (Remicade)Leflunomide (Arava)Methotrexate.Mycophenolate (CellCept)

Can spirulina cause kidney problems?

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.

Does spirulina make you poop?

And while it's difficult to consume sufficient dietary forms of magnesium to achieve a laxative effect, increasing your intake will certainly help. The best sources of magnesium include dark leafy green veggies like spinach and micro-algae superfoods like chlorella and spirulina.27-Jul-2017

Is it good 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.05-Oct-2018

What is the best time to take spirulina?

It is best to take spirulina at least four hours before going to bed but altogether, it does not seem to matter whether one should take six tablets at once or two tablets three times a day-most people report feeling benefits whenever and however they take spirulina and it often does not present any problems.22-Jun-2018

Can you take vitamin C with spirulina?

Tests revealed that when combined with vitamin C, spirulina also prevented elevated levels of liver enzymes, a signal of cell death. The levels of two liver damage enzymes, ALT and AST, were reduced in mice that had been given spirulina and vitamin C.29-Nov-2011

Does spirulina thicken hair?

Promotes Hair Growth: External use of Spirulina can speed up hair growth. Besides consumption, this algae is used as an ingredient in shampoos and conditioning treatments. It also helps in hair re-growth.14-Feb-2017

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.20-Apr-2016

Does spirulina make you sleepy?

Do not worry because this is merely an adjustment of your body. Over fatigue – The spirulina will help cleanse your colon and flush out toxins and other waste materials. As a result of this cleansing process, you may feel sleepy or tired because your colon and other excretory organs are working overtime.26-Sept-2016

How much spirulina is too much?

A February 2016 study in the Journal of Nutrition Research recommends consuming about 4 grams of spirulina per day. However, it's possible to safely consume about 7 grams per day, and you shouldn't regularly consume more than 15 grams per day.26-Aug-2019

What are the side effects of spirulina?

Even though Spirulina is beneficial for a lot of people, as with everything else, it too has a few side effects. Contaminated or low-quality Spirulina can lead to a variety of side effects, including: 1 Nausea. 2 Stomach cramps. 3 Thirst. 4 Shock. 5 Weakness. 6 Kidney stones. 7 Insomnia. 8 Liver damage. 9 Rapid heartbeat. 10 Headaches. 11 Allergic reactions. 12 Muscle Pain. 13 Sweating.

What is spirulina algae?

What Is Spirulina? Spirulina is a biomass of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) that can be consumed by both humans and animals. There are two species of Spirulina, namely Arthrospira platensis and A. maxima. Arthospira is cultivated worldwide and used as a whole food or dietary supplement.

How many grams of protein are in a spoonful of spirulina?

A spoonful of Spirulina contains approximately 4 to 5 grams of Proteins. Iron in spirulina: Spirulina is a favorite among vegans and vegetarians because it provides high amounts of iron. And unlike the iron derived from meat, it is easier to digest the iron that comes from Spirulina.

Is spirulina good for you?

Benefits of Spirulina: Spirulina is a highly beneficial supplement and can be consumed for a variety of reasons, some of which are listed below. 1. High Nutritional Values. Spirulina has a high concentration of vitamins and proteins.

What is the purpose of B1?

Vitamin B1 is essential for the digestion of fats and proteins. It is also taken for improvement in eye health, increased energy, brain health and for improving nerve functioning. A spoonful of Spirulina contains 11% of the RDA of Vitamin B1. Spirulina is also a good source of:

Is spirulina a complete protein?

Spirulina is considered to be a complete source of Protein, i.e. it contains all the proteins that our body needs but is unable to produce by itself. The protein in Spirulina has a net protein utilization rate of 50% to 60%. A spoonful of Spirulina contains approximately 4 to 5 grams of Proteins. Iron in spirulina:

Is spirulina a good antioxidant?

Powerful Antioxidant Qualities: Spirulina is a fantastic source of antioxidants. It can protect you against oxidative damage. Oxidative damage can harm your DNA and even lead to Cancer. The main active component in Spirulina, Phycocyanin, has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Why does the body produce ammonia?

Our body produces a significant amount of ammonia as it metabolizes the protein in spirulina, which gets converted into urea. This puts excessive pressure on the kidneys to flush out such a large amount of urea from the blood, ultimately resulting in decreased efficiency of the kidneys and even renal failure.

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.

What is an autoimmune disease?

Shutterstock. An autoimmune disease develops when the immune system attacks the healthy tissues in your body, causing organ damage and inflammation. Arthritis, asthma, periodontitis, vitiligo, type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and pernicious anemia are a few examples of autoimmune diseases.

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, ...

What happens when you have too much iodine in your blood?

The build-up of excessive nutrients, along with iodine, in the blood leads to fluid retention (edema) in your limbs, imbalance in calcium, phosphate, and iodine absorption, and sudden weight gain or loss, lethargy, and cardiovascular diseases. 7. Digestive Discomfort And Nausea. Shutterstock.

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.

What is the name of the algae that grows in seaweed?

The name “spirulina” is something of a generic term that can be applied to a range of different dried seaweed or blue-green algae species, though the two most common are Arthrospira plantensis and Arthrospira maxima, both of which are characterized by their lush, leafy greens.

Can spirulina cause fever?

A fever is a common side effect of Spirulina use. Spirulina doesn’t usually cause side effects in healthy people who take only small doses, though problems frequently occur when individuals take more than is recommended or purchase supplements that have been contaminated with bacteria or other toxins. People in these circumstances often experience ...

Can spirulina cause autoimmune disease?

The most serious side effects usually concern people with autoimmune disorders like Multiple Sclerosis. Even properly dosed , non-contaminated spirulina can actually make many of these sorts of conditions worse.

Is spirulina a pesticide?

Organic spirulina, which is free of pesticides, is available as a powder. Headaches can also be caused by metal compounds found in some preparations. Algae tends to be highly absorptive, which means that it takes on pollutants, minerals, or vitamins that are present in its growing environment.

Does spirulina cause nausea?

Fever and Nausea. Spirulina users may also experience fever, nausea, and sweating, often as a result of the supplement’s high protein content. People who haven’t eaten enough or who otherwise have low blood sugar may feel a bit queasy as their body works to break down the algae’s nutrients.

Does spirulina help with gas?

Spirulina side effects including gas and bloating.

Can pregnant women take spirulina?

Despite the purported benefits of spirulina, most medical professionals say that it shouldn’t be taken by children or pregnant women. People in these categories are more likely to have bad reactions to the supplement, including increased heart rate and difficulty with digestion.

Spirulina Benefits and Spirulina Facts

The popularity of spirulina stems from the fact that it contains over 100 kinds of nutrients. It is described to be the most complete food source ever - "The Superfood" as most call it.

Spirulina Dosage

Spirulina dosage depends largely on the form being taken. Spirulina products come in the form of spirulina capsules, tablets, powder and flakes. Spirulina extract is also available for those who prefer this type of spirulina diet.

Spirulina Overdose

Spirulina is a completely natural food source. Being natural, it is not expected to give any problems to the body. Theoretically speaking, even if too much is taken, there should be no harm done to the body. However, doing so will only be a waste of time, effort and money.

Adverse Effects of Spirulina

Some people have reported to experience some minor symptoms after taking spirulina. These spirulina side effects include:

Danger of Spirulina

Spirulina poses no dangers when taken in the recommended dosage. Taking less than 50 grams per day should be relatively safe with no notable side effects. However, as in most dietary supplements, taking exceedingly large doses can cause unwanted spirulina side effects.

Recommendation

Spirulina is a unique blend of many important nutrients. As long as they are taken within reasonable doses, they can give you a multitude of health benefits that you will surely enjoy. For best results, we recommend you to use Earthrise Spirulina Powder. Earthrise is a premier and trusted maker of spiraling products.

Is spirulina bad for you?

Risks Associated with Spirulina. Spirulina is a pure nutritional supplement and taking only 50 grams of Spirulina should not lead to any side effects, due to the simple fact it has about 70% of essential protein. However some cases of adverse effects have been reported from its use, such as users experiencing exacerbating skin breakouts, nausea, ...

Does spirulina cause fever?

However some cases of adverse effects have been reported from its use, such as users experiencing exacerbating skin breakouts, nausea, insomnia or fever. This usually occurs because the body is trying to digest surplus materials in a way that leads to some extra heating. Primarily, Spirulina side effects will most likely be the result ...

Can spirulina cause stomach pain?

Primarily, Spirulina side effects will most likely be the result of an individual being allergic to it. People who suffer from gastric issues or abdominal gas problems could experience stomach pain, diarrhea, bowel problems, hiccups, unwanted gas, and so forth. Some individuals may feel very tired, fragile, or just sick ...

Can you take spirulina with multiple sclerosis?

Individuals suffering from autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis or Addison’s disease, should avoid Spirulina as it can have serious side effects and even make their conditions worse.

Is spirulina dangerous?

The issue behind the latent significance of Spirulina side effects first came by in 1999, with a warning from the Canadian Health Protection Branch that Spirulina products were likely to contain apparent dangerous levels of microcystins toxins.

Is spirulina a microcystin?

However, they did state that Spirulina products are no longer taken to have microcystin-linked health risk. This concludes that Spirulina side effects aren’t caused by Spirulina at all, but other blue-green algae species. You can find more information on clinical studies and research on Spirulina here.

Is spirulina contaminated with mercury?

There are certain Spirulina products that are contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium. This reduces the quality of the Spirulina and therefore under-performs as expected, leading to side effects. Ensure to check your source of Spirulina and confirm that it has been tested for contamination.

Does spirulina lower blood pressure?

Lowers Blood Pressure. Phycocyanin is a pigment found in the spirulina that scientists have discovered possesses antihypertensive effects (it lowers blood pressure). Japanese researchers claim that this is because consuming the blue-green algae reverses endothelial dysfunction in metabolic syndrome.

Is spirulina bad for allergies?

Side-Effects and Allergies of Spirulina. It’s absolutely critical to make sure that the quality and purity of the spirulina that one consume is of the highest standards. Particularly, like anything that comes from the sea, be certain to only purchase blue-green algae that are free from contamination. According to WebMD, contaminated spirulina can ...

What is the algae that can be found in a pond?

Spirulina. Spirulina represents a biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and other animals. There are two species, Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima. It is the very same algae that can be found on the surface of the pond.

How much water is in spirulina?

Nutritional Value of Spirulina. Dried spirulina contains 5% water, 24% carbohydrates, 8% fat, and about 60% (51–71%) protein. It is a complete protein source, containing all essential amino acids. 100 gram amount of spirulina supplies 290 Calories and is a rich source (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of numerous essential nutrients.

Does spirulina cause itchy throat?

Animal studies suggest that spirulina stops the release of histamine, which is responsible for symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

What is spirulina used for?

Uses of Spirulina. Spirulina is cultivated worldwide; used as a dietary supplement as well as a whole food; and is also available in tablet, flake and powder form. It is also used as a feed supplement in the aquaculture, aquarium and poultry industries.

Does spirulina cause nausea?

It’s initially associated with abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea, but peripheral neuropathy and encephalopathy has been linked to it as well. When the affected patients are given a spirulina extract combined with zinc, the participants were found to have a 47% decrease of arsenic in their bodies.

Spirulina Side Effects

Spirulina is produced in nature hence, more often than not; there are no substantial spirulina side effects to human being. Albeit, a few people may witness some symptoms after consuming Spirulina, which may include:

How to Reduce Side Effects

To start with, it is highly recommended to start drinking an extra 1 litre of water each day. Start with small dose of this product and then increase the quantity that your body would be able to digest it.

Synopsis

This water plant is mostly believed to be quite safe and also recommended during pregnancy. Most often than not, you will not witness any major spirulina side effect except some minor changes in digestive process. These mild spirulina side effects usually vanish within a few days.

What is spirulina algae?

What to Look For. Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that contains a number of nutrients, including B vitamins, beta-carotene, and vitamin E. Spirulina also contains antioxidants, minerals, chlorophyll, and phycocyanobilin and is commonly used as a source of vegan protein.

Is spirulina good for you?

Health Benefits. Among proponents, spirulina has been used to support a number of health conditions, including fatigue , high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and viral infections. Purported spirulina benefits also include weight loss, increased energy, and stimulation of the immune system.

What is spirulina supplement?

Although there are a large number of blue-green algae species commonly referred to as "spirulina ," most spirulina supplements contain Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Spirulina maxima, and/or Spirulina platensis . As with all supplements, it is important to examine the "Supplement Facts" label on any product that you buy.

Does spirulina help with cholesterol?

High Cholesterol. Spirulina holds some promise for lipid disorders such as high cholesterol or high triglycerides, according to a study published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. For the study, healthy, older adults consumed spirulina or a placebo.

Can spirulina cause headaches?

Although few adverse effects are associated with the use of spirulina, consuming spirulina may cause headaches, allergic reactions, muscle pain, sweating, and insomnia in some cases. People with allergies to seafood, seaweed, and other sea vegetables should avoid spirulina.

Is spirulina safe for pregnant women?

If you have a thyroid condition, an autoimmune disorder, gout, kidney stones, phenylketonuria, or are pregnant or nursing, spirulina may not be appropriate for you. You should check with your healthcare provider before taking it.

Can spirulina absorb water?

It's possible that spirulina grown in the wild can absorb toxins from water, such as microcystins (known to cause severe liver damage), pollutants, and heavy metals. Most spirulina sold in the United States is grown in laboratories.

Does chlorella affect HSC?

In one study the effects of both spirulina and chlorella extracts on live human cancer cells were studied. Both spir ulina and chlorella decreased the cell growth rates of HSC but spirulina inhibited the cells more due to its higher antioxidant content [4].

Why is my liver fatty?

One of the 2 causes of Fatty Liver Disease is excessive alcohol consumption. Once you have stopped then consider supplementing spirulina. There have been various animal studies that show spirulina is effective at reducing this disease but lets stick to the human studies.

What is liver fibrosis?

Liver fibrosis is when your liver becomes covered in scar tissue. It occurs in a lot of chronic liver diseases and can be very harmful. One treatment for this condition is to inhibit the increase of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and to speed up the life cycle of these cells so that they die off faster.

Does spirulina help with fibrosis?

It can reduce fatty liver (steatohepatitis), regulates liver enzymes (increases function), and can help with liver fibrosis .

Why is spirulina hard on the liver?

First, spirulina absorbs heavy metals easily from its environment. If you consume spirulina that has high heavy metal content this can be VERY hard on your liver. As it would be working harder than normal to remove these toxins. However, the fix for this is simple.

Does spirulina sulfate slow down liver enzymes?

Thats a pretty significant decrease and indicates much less liver damage. And yes there have been studies on humans as well. One of which showed that a spirulina supplentation of 1g/kg a day slowed down the increase of the liver enzymes: SGOT, SGPT, and ALP after having Cisplatin injections.

Is spirulina bad for you?

There are plenty of spirulina products out there that are clean and are regularly tested for heavy metal content. The second reason why spirulina could be bad is due to the fact that it contains microcystins, which are groups of amino acids and can be toxic according to Purdue University if you take TOO MUCH.

Chemistry

• Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that contains a number of nutrients, including B vitamins, beta-carotene, and vitamin E. Spirulina also contains antioxidants, minerals, chlorophyll, and phycocyanobilin and is commonly used as a source of vegan protein.

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