A study with 87 Indians with precancerous lesions showed that those who took 1 gram of Spirulina per day for a year showed 45% improvement, while those who did not take Spirulina showed only 7% improvement. It was a common food for the Aztecs and in parts of Chad, and it can be consumed in large quantities with few expected side effects. Side Effects of Spirulina. MedlinePlus notes that you should only use products that have been tested and determined to be free of these contaminants. You can avoid these side effects by ensuring that your spirulina is not contaminated and is from a reliable source. There are two species of Spirulina, namely Arthrospira platensis and A. maxima. Contaminated or low-quality Spirulina can lead to a variety of side effects, including: An adverse case can even lead to death. Allergic reactions. You can always consult your physician and use it if you get the go ahead. It is also believed that Spirulina can lower the bad LDL Cholesterol levels and increase the good HDL Cholesterol levels. This is definitely the most harmful side effect of using spirulina. Full time beautician for a organic Hair n Makeup saloon. Spirulina is about 20% C-phycocyanin by weight, and about 1% phycocyanobilin by weight. You may experience some side-effects over the first few days, such as minor breakouts of irritated skin, fatigue or slight fever, as your body rids itself of accumulated toxins. Fatty structures in your body can lead to oxidation. Consuming spirulina can lead to flatulence, causing abdominal cramps, nausea, and anaphylaxis – especially in people consuming it for the first time (2). All of these supplements are organic and recommendable: Tablets are easy to consume, easy to carry. Spirulina is an enriching supplement, and if taken correctly, can benefit you in many ways. Health conscious people have embraced this supplement and they ensure that they include it in their diet. Top 13 Shocking Spirulina Side Effects: 1. A few grams of Spirulina taken daily could help your body gain all the right nutrients it requires to stay healthy and fit. It's pos… So if you are planning to start using this supplement or you are already using it, then we suggest you continue going through this post to find out what those side effects are. Spirulina side effects. In order for our website to perform as well as possible during your visit. The anti-oxidants in Spirulina are extremely effective at reducing lipid peroxidation in both humans and animals. This oxidation can be the reason for various diseases, including heart diseases. It also helps in gaining muscles and helps avoid fatigue. These effects tend to be similar to the symptoms associated with consuming contaminated spirulina, which is a significant issue facing the cultivation of blue-green algaes right now. Potential side effects of spirulina. It should be noted that a few users of spirulina have reported a small number of adverse side-effects including headaches, pains, nausea, allergic reactions, and insomnia. You can also choose what kind of cookies you want by clicking "Settings". Below are some tablets that you can check out: For those who would prefer consuming Spirulina with a drink or in a drink, the powdered form would be a good way to go. You should check with your healthcare provider before taking it. Rapid heartbeat. Spirulina is a favorite among vegans and vegetarians because it provides high amounts of iron. One of the side effects of Spirulina is that it slows blood clotting. If left untreated, it can lead to seizures, mental retardation, brain damage and behavioural symtopms. It can decrease the effect of your medication so it would be better if you don’t take spirulina if you are on some other medications like immunosuppressants. But despite the wide range of benefits of spirulina, it may not be without some side effects. It is advisable not to take spirulina if you are favcing any of these conditions – rheumagtoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus or pemphigus vulgaris which is a skin condition. Your choice will be saved for one year. A lot of people add spirulina powder or flakes in their smoothies and juices. It would be a good idea to discontinue the usage of spirulina if you notice any of these symptoms. These are even more likely with a higher dosage or when you first include them in your diet. Stomach cramps. Spirulina is a highly beneficial supplement and can be consumed for a variety of reasons, some of which are listed below. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Spirulina Side Effects. Spirulina is known to increase the burning of fats during exercises. it contains all the proteins that our body needs but is unable to produce by itself. Side effects of spirulina powder Microcystins. 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. By sharing your interests and behavior as you visit our site, you increase the chance of seeing personalized content and offers. Spirulina is a fantastic source of antioxidants. In theory, spirulina should be safe for the vast majority of users, however there are a surprising number of accounts of people experiencing negative side effects based on their usage. Here are a few Spirulina powder recommendations: Thus, there are a number of ways in which Spirulina can be consumed. Protects Bad LDL Cholesterol From Oxidation and Lowers Its Levels. While choosing the brand, you should be careful and well researched. If you do not take the right dosage and end up consuming high dosages of spirulina, then it can result in various stomach disorders like diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, etc. Spirulina is a type of blue-green alga whose shape resembles that of a spiral. Consuming spirulina can interfere negatively with you other medications. Some of the minor side effects of spirulina may include nausea, insomnia, and headaches. Spirulina that grows in natural settings may be contaminated with bacteria, toxins called microcystins and heavy metals. It is believed that high doses of Spirulina lead to a decrease in blood pressure. It is thus recommended to start with weak doses, which are gradually increased. Spirulina’s effects on oral cancer have been well studied. Spirulina may cause headaches, allergic reactions, muscle pain, sweating and insomnia in some cases. Another thing to follow would be to strictly keep this product away from children. Below are some of the best Spirulina Supplements available online. This blue-green algae grown majorly throughout the world and is super-house of all the essential minerals and nutrients. Reported side effects associated with Spirulina consumption are insomnia and gastric problems with uncertain or unlikely causality 11) and only few cases of severe side effects have been reported, including a case of rhabdomyolysis after the consumption of 3 g/day for 1 month 12). Spirulina Uses, Benefits & Side Effects - Drugs.com Herbal Database You can either take it as a tablet, flakes or in its powdered form. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin B9 (folic acid), Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E. It is also a source of copper, calcium, chromium, potassium, magnesium, selenium, sodium and zinc. Spirulina doesnt 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. All this adds additional pressure on your kidneys and due to the excess urea, people can also develop kidney stones. We serve cookies. Side Effects From Spirulina. In studies, there have been very few reported side effects associated with spirulina, but the most common include:21,22 1. insomnia 2. abdominal issues 3. vomiting 4. allergic reactions Stop taking spirulina if you experience any of the above and seek medical advice. All Rights Reserved, What Happens When You Drink Water with Baking Soda on an Empty Stomach, Top 12 Side Effects Of Jeera Water (Cumin Seeds) You Need to Know, 18 Kalamkari Sarees and With Matching Blouses, 5 Healthy Juices to Dissolve Kidney Stones. Your immune system can become more active resulting in an increase in the symptoms of your auto-immune diseases. Known for its high content of nutrients, spirulina also consists of iron, vitamin B12 and 8 essential and 10 non-essential amino acids. Those who suffer from the condition known as phenylketonuria (or PKU), should not take spirulina as it contains an amino acid known as phenylalanine which they cannot break down. Headaches. Possible side effects of spirulina. However some cases of adverse effects have been reported from its use, such as users experiencing exacerbating skin breakouts, nausea, insomnia or fever. Spirulina is a great source of Proteins and Minerals, but it is necessary to be careful about the dangers that it may pose on the consumer. The main active component in Spirulina, Phycocyanin, has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Spirulina produces nitric oxide, which helps dilate and relax the blood vessels, thereby decreasing blood pressure. Spirulina can provoke migraines or light fever; for some it can cause constipation, for others diarrhea (particularly in … The protein in spirulina gets metablozied and a huge amount of ammonia is produced which then gets converted into urea. Just like your liver, your kidneys too can be affected by consuming spirulina. The triglyceride levels decreased an average of 19% and LDL cholesterol (bad) decreased 16%.