What is in Spirulina?

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I have begun using Spirulina as part of my daily health and wellness routine.what is in spirulina

It tastes pretty wild but you can easily disguise that with the right fruits
and hide it in a smoothie.  I think the benefits will far outweigh the fact that it tastes a little strange.

Brian and I are on a detox health kick after a couple weeks away on holiday where all we did was drink too much alcohol and eat comfort food (we were in the snow).

I had heard of this superfood in the past but I never knew exactly what is in spirulina until I bought some and decided to give it a try.

what is in spirulinaWhat exactly is Spirulina?

Spirulina is an algae that is harvested and dried and made into a powder form to be commercially available for consumption by us.

What is in Spirulina?

Spirulina contains the following super nutrients and minerals:

  • Iron
  • Beta-carotene
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin B
  • Calcium
  • Protein
  • Niacin
  • Potassium
  • Amino Acids
  • Antioxidants

What are the benefits of Spirulina?

Taking spirulina regularly claims to have the following incredible benefits to your health:

what is in spirulina

  • Slows down the ageing process leaving you feeling and looking younger with anti-ageing compounds which protect the skin and body systems
  • Improves brain function
  • Destroys free radicals and improves the immune system

The NIH acknowledges that although there is not sufficient evidence to fully confirm these claims, early research indicates that there is proof of spirulina actually having the following actions:

  • Relief of allergy symptomswhat is in spirulina
  • Improving ADHD
  • Lowering blood sugar levels
  • Improve exercise performance
  • Improvement of liver function
  • Reduces cholesterol
  • Reduction of symptoms of menopause especially depression and anxiety

 

How do you take it?

Spirulina generally comes in a powder form and you simply add a teaspoon to your favourite green smoothie recipe.

Today I had one teaspoon of spirulina with one orange, one banana, coconut water and ice and blended it all up.  It was really delicious!

It is also available in tablets.

Where do I get some Spirulina?

Amazon has a wide variety of spirulina powders and tablets.  Just click on the links below for a closer look.


Are there any negatives?

Spirulina is blue-green algae and must be sourced from a reputable place to ensure it is free from contaminants.  This is especially important when it is given to children as children will be more susceptible to toxins.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding it is recommended not to take spirulina.  Likewise if you have an autoimmune disease do not take spirulina due to its effect of stimulating immune system response.  If you are under 18, have chronic disease or are on any medications, please consult your doctor or pharmacist first prior to starting on spirulina therapy.

I hope this has answered that question on everybody’s lips – what is in spirulina!

I will let you know how I feel after a month of regular spirulina use.

Do you use spirulina?

Love,

Kris

12 Comments

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  1. 1
    lifebeginswithyourhealth

    Wow,
    This Spirulina stuff is brand new to me, first time I have ever heard of this product.

    I am impressed with all the good stuff in this product, the taste would not bother me too much I would just add it to my smoothies as you have suggested.

    Could this product be added to our meals for added health benefits, do you think this would mix with our food and taste okay?

    • 2
      Kris

      You can sometimes find spirulina added to desserts at health food cafes such as raw brownies or vitality balls but it is not usually cooked. Honestly, it is pretty easy to disguise the taste with lovely tropical and maybe more acidic fruits such as pineapple and orange. Another great way to consume spirulina is in a tablet if you just don’t like the taste of it.

      I have been getting into the green powder for only 2 days now, and my energy levels are seriously through the roof. It is amazing!

      Thanks for stopping by, Kris

  2. 3
    Hillary

    I have used spirulina in my smoothies on and off for a decade. I love it and the health benefits are many. The only question i have is on contamination–how can you be sure you’re gettign clean algae when our waters are so polluted nowadays? It’s such a beneficial addition to your diet that I would love to continue it.

    • 4
      Kris

      Hi Hillary, Just make sure you are aware of the source of your spirulina and read the label.

      A lot of spirulina is actually farmed in India which doesn’t have a good rap when it comes to polluted waterways and as such, I don’t buy my spirulina from such sources.

      Best wishes to you, Kris

  3. 5
    Travis Smithers

    It’s always good to do a detox these days as the foods we now purchase are not the best source anymore.

    This spirulina product you have written about looks pretty good for the benefits it has. I like the list of nutrients and minerals it contains.

    This looks like a good product that is worth giving it a few months try to see how effective it is.

    • 6
      Kris

      Hi Travis,

      I totally recommend a few months worth just to see how it can fit in with your diet and lifestyle. I myself personally have lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks with this addition to my diet while also removing carbs and exercising more. I am very impressed!

      Regards, Kris

  4. 7
    Claire

    Wow! I’ve never heard of Spirulina before visiting this page.
    I’m so impressed by how much healthy stuff is in it, i’m definitely going to be adding this into my foods and smoothies.
    I have one question for you, is it usually very expensive to buy? And do most supermarkets have it?

    • 8
      Kris

      Hi Claire,

      If you have a click on some of the spirulina pictures above it will take you directly to a page with info on purchasing the products discussed.

      Spirulina is usually quite inexpensive when you consider the health benefits. Look for a certified organic producer. Cheaper is not better.

      It is also possible to buy spirulina from your local large chain supermarket or health food store.

      Thanks for commenting,
      Kris

  5. 9
    lilywong

    i have heard a lot about the benefits of spirulina. someone also gave me a bottle of capsule spirulina. i guess it’s easier to take in pill form than in a smoothie? i am amazed with the many nutrients it contains. i am surprised to see that it also improves ADHD. by the way, how do we know if the spirulina product is free from contaminants?

    • 10
      Kris

      Hi there,

      Some ways to ensure contaminant free spirulina:

      – avoid spirulina coming from Japan (possible radiation, China, (possible heavy metals) or from natural lakes (possible heavy metals, pollution)

      – Only buy certified organic spirulina from a reputable company

      Thanks for stopping by,

      Kris

  6. 11
    Jackie

    Thanks for the reminder. I haven’t put Spirulina in my morning smoothie in awhile. I think I ran out and forgot to replenish my supply. 🙂 (maybe I’ll try one of your brand suggestions here!) You have a great website. It’s so clean and easy to navigate. Very cool. I wanted to let you know that it loaded very, very slow however. In fact, I almost left because it was taking so long…I wanted to let you know. Thanks for the great post. I’ll be back. Your site makes me happy. 🙂

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