What happens if you take too much spirulina? Even if you overdose on this superfood, it is unlikely to cause any harm. Worst possible consequences could be bloating, diarrhoea, nausea and cramps.
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 are the dangers of spirulina?
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 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.
Does spirulina have any side effects?
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, insomnia or fever.
Can you have too much spirulina?
Potential Risks of Spirulina. Spirulina harvested in the wild may be contaminated with heavy metals and bacteria. In high amounts, some of these toxins may stress or damage your liver.
Is spirulina safe to take 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 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.
Why you should not take spirulina?
The side effects of spirulina may range from aggravating autoimmune disorders to causing nausea and abdominal discomfort. It may also exacerbate medical conditions such as phenylketonuria, renal problems, or neurological disorders.
How much is too much spirulina?
Tip. 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.
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.
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 good 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.
How much spirulina should I take daily?
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). You should avoid spirulina altogether if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
When should I take spirulina morning or night?
Because high-protein foods have been found to increase alertness – and Spirulina is the richest whole food source of protein – it is best to take Spirulina at least four hours before going to bed.
Does spirulina help 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Does spirulina cause stomach cramps?
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: Nausea. Stomach cramps. Thirst.
Does spirulina increase blood count?
A study showed that consumption of Spirulina led to an increase in the red blood cells count and also improved the immunity of the patients. Though more research needs to be done on this front.
Does spirulina lower blood pressure?
High blood pressure is the reason behind many diseases, including heart strokes, attacks, and kidney illness. It is believed that high doses of Spirulina lead to a decrease in blood pressure. Spirulina produces nitric oxide, which helps dilate and relax the blood vessels, thereby decreasing blood pressure. 7.
Is spirulina a protein?
Spirulina contains high amounts of: Protein in spirulina: 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%.
1. Possible contamination with toxins
Spirulina harvested in the wild poses a significant risk of contamination. This blue-green alga may harbour toxins if it happens to grow in water bodies that are heavily contaminated with toxins such as harmful bacteria, heavy metals and microcystin particles.
2. Increase the time of blood clotting
Spirulina has an anticoagulant effect, that means it will thin your blood, and it takes a longer time for your blood to clot.
3. Not suitable for autoimmune disorders
For a person suffering from autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes any part of the body as a foreign invader and releases proteins called antibodies that attack the healthy cells.
Who should not take spirulina?
If you are suffering from any autoimmune condition, thyroid disorder, kidney stones, gout, phenylketonuria (PKU) spirulina won't be a healthy choice for you.
What happens if you take too much spirulina?
Even if you overdose on this superfood, it is unlikely to cause any harm. Worst possible consequences could be bloating, diarrhoea, nausea and cramps.
Does spirulina interact with any medications?
Until now, there is no scientific evidence to support any possible interaction of spirulina with standard drugs.
Final Words
It is suggested to source your spirulina from a reputed brand in order to ensure that the product conforms to the highest safety and quality standards.
What are the side effects of spirulina?
These are some of the most common side effects, if spirulina does not suit us well: 1 Thirst and constipation 2 Fever 3 Dizziness 4 Stomach ache 5 Itchy or rash on the skin 6 Headaches 7 Iodine can affect people with hyper or hypothyroidism.
Can you misuse spirulina?
Otherwise, it is possible that you may misuse this algae, giving rise to a series of counterproductive effects to what you are looking for. Although spirulina is a natural product, this does not mean that it does not have side effects and that its excessive consumption cannot lead to different complications.
Is spirulina a superfood?
In most cases, this seaweed is sold as a “superfood” and a supplement that is the most nutritious in the world. However, spirulina is still an algae that if you want to ingest constantly you must consult with our family doctor or a specialist. Otherwise, it is possible that you may misuse this algae, giving rise to a series ...
Does spirulina cause constipation?
For this reason, taking it under various circumstances can lead to different side effects that can range from constipation to anxiety. These are some of the most common side effects, if spirulina does not suit us well: Thirst and constipation. Fever. Dizziness.
Is spirulina a medicine?
Spirulina has great properties that range from its antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory factors, to its benefits to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. However, you must mark by fire that spirulina is not a medicine, so you must always take it in the appropriate doses.
Can you take spirulina with water?
It does not matter if it is in powder, capsules or tablets, spirulina can be used as a complement to a balanced diet. It can be taken 15 minutes before each meal with two glasses of water to promote weight loss. In most cases, this seaweed is sold as a “superfood” and a supplement that is the most nutritious in the world.
Can you eat spirulina while exercising?
If you are consuming spirulina to lose weight or to complement our physical exercise, you must be very attentive to the signals that our body sends us. In the case of noticing something strange or unusual, experts recommend not continuing to consume it.
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.
What are the health effects of phosphorus?
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 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.
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.
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 help with fibrosis?
It can reduce fatty liver (steatohepatitis), regulates liver enzymes (increases function), and can help with liver fibrosis .
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.
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].
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.
What are the benefits of spirulina?
Thanks to spirulina's nutrients and antioxidants, it can help to: 1 Combat malnutrition, even in people with chronic illness. 2 Combat viral and bacterial effects. 3 Combat heavy metal toxicity. 4 Improve cholesterol levels. 5 Improve blood lipid levels. 6 Reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system. 7 Prevent skeletal muscle damage. 8 Protect the liver.
How many calories are in a tablespoon of spirulina?
According to the USDA, a tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina has 20 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, 1.7 grams of carbohydrates and 4 grams of protein. A tablespoon of spirulina also contains: Advertisement. 11 percent of the DV for iron. 47 percent of the DV for copper.
How much protein is in spirulina?
Spirulina consumption is typically encouraged given how nutrient-rich it is. The Journal of Nutrition Research study reported that protein is one of the primary beneficial nutrients in spirulina. While your average piece of chicken is about 24 percent protein and your average fish is about 22 percent protein, spirulina powder is 65 to 70 percent protein.
What is spirulina extract?
View Work. Spirulina is a type of algae extract that is rich in a variety of essential nutrients and antioxidants. Image Credit: Magone/iStock/GettyImages. Spirulina is a type of algae extract that is rich in a variety of essential nutrients and antioxidants.
Is spirulina a vegetarian food?
This nutrient is typically found in animal-based products like eggs, dairy, shellfish and meat. Spirulina is one of the few vegan and vegetarian-friendly sources of this essential nutrient. Thanks to spirulina's nutrients and antioxidants, it can help to:
Is spirulina a plant based protein?
This means that spirulina can be a valuable protein source for people who consume plant-based diets. On a similar note, spirulina is also rich in vitamin B12.
Is spirulina bad for you?
The benefits and dangers of spirulina products both primarily come from their specific nutritional makeup. Given how nutrient-rich spirulina is, it's possible to get unhealthy amounts of certain vitamins and minerals if you consume excessive amounts of spirulina plant products.