What Is Spirulina And What Are The Benefits?

The following information is for education only and is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness. It is valuable to seek the advice of an alternative health care professional before making any changes. The statements below have not been evaluated by the FDA (or your country's equivalent). Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Spirulina is known as a human dietary supplement. It is a nutritional supplement that is made from two different types of cyanobacteria which are Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima and are commonly referred to as microalgae.

These two cyanobacteria are used all over the world and are available individually or together in tablet, flake, and powered forms. Interestingly enough, spirulina is also uses as a supplement in the aquarium and poultry industries to keep animals as healthy as possible.

Despite being considered a supplement to the majority of people, those that eat a raw food diet, consider spirulina a whole food, and to some, it is a main staple in their diet.

Spirulina Health Benefits

Most people who consume spirulina in any form do so because of the vast number of health benefits that it offers the human body. These possible health benefits include but are not limited to:

• Improved immune system
• A reduction in fatigue
• Improved digestive functions
• A markedly improved endurance level
• Natural detoxification agent
• Controls appetite
• Increased energy levels
• Supports cardiovascular function
• Supports liver and kidney function
• Reduction of inflammation
• Reduction of allergies
• May slow the aging process

The potential health benefits are vast and may fulfill the needs of a large portion of the population. These are just the known health benefits, it seems that with each passing year more and more health benefits are being discovered, making spirulina an overall very beneficial nutritional supplement.

Spirulina Side Effects or Risks

While spirulina is a completely natural nutritional supplement it may cause side effects or pose a risk to some people. Some of the side effects that have been reported include but may not be limited to:

• Dizziness. This may be helped by taking less of the product.
• Low grade fever. This is usually caused by the body burning an increased amount of protein.
• Thirst. The body has to use a lot of its water content to absorb the spirulina. Those who are taking this nutritional supplement can help avoid excessive thirst by consuming an additional ½ liter of water per day.
• Stomach upset. This may subside over the course of treatment or may be helped by reducing the amount of the product that is being taken.
• Skin irritation or rash. This will usually subside on its own, but if it does not the product should be discontinued.

Most people who take spirulina find that it is a very beneficial nutritional supplement that continues to benefit them over the course of time. It is offered by many different companies and providers around the world so that everyone has access to it.

It can be found in most drug stores and even ordered online. Most people find that it is most conveniently ingested in tablet form. It generally is not a product that can be taken in too large of quantities, but taking it at the recommended levels will provide the body with all of the benefits, taking any more will simply be a waste.