May slow blood clotting

While some studies suggest that spirulina does not affect blood clotting time, little is known about its effects on people who are already taking blood thinners ( 18 , 19 ). Thus, you should avoid spirulina if you have a bleeding disorder or are on blood thinners.

Similarly, Can spirulina be bad for you?

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. There is not enough research to suggest blue-green algae is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Additionally, Is spirulina safe for kidneys? If you are susceptible to gout attacks or kidney stones, then spirulina may be harmful to you. To avoid excessive uric acid, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center suggest limiting the intake of spirulina to 50 grams per day.

Can spirulina cause liver damage?

Spirulina has been implicated in isolated case reports in causing clinically apparent liver injury, but the role of spirulina as opposed to other herbal components or contaminants has not been shown. Liver injury due to spirulina must be very rare if it occurs at all.

What are the side effects of taking spirulina?

Possible Side Effects

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.

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.

Is spirulina good for liver and kidneys?

Researchers concluded that spirulina and vitamin C may help reduce cancer patients’ risk of liver damage or renal failure after receiving Cisplatin. They suggested that a supplementation regimen of spirulina and vitamin C be adopted before and during chemotherapy cycles.

Can spirulina lower creatinine?

Effect of spirulina on cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction

On the other hand, pretreatment with Spirulina at a dose of 1000 mg/kg significantly improved the concentration of both creatinine and BUN as shown by a significant reduction in plasma creatinine and BUN concentration when compared with cisplatin-treated group.

Is spirulina high in potassium?

However, Spirulina is rich in nutrients, some of which aren’t found in the average daily vitamin. According to the FDA, Spirulina contains significant amounts of calcium, niacin, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and iron. It also has essential amino acids (compounds that are the building blocks of proteins).

What does Spirulina do to the liver?

In conclusion Spirulina reduced the level of lipids by reducing serum cholesterol and serum triacylglycerol levels. Spirulina increased the HDL and decreased LDL and corrected liver function, especially alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) and aminotransferase (SGOT).

Is Spirulina good for liver and kidneys?

Researchers concluded that spirulina and vitamin C may help reduce cancer patients’ risk of liver damage or renal failure after receiving Cisplatin. They suggested that a supplementation regimen of spirulina and vitamin C be adopted before and during chemotherapy cycles.

Does Spirulina have heavy metals?

The heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic are mostly found to adulterate in Spirulina products. Each is found as a trace contaminant in certain pesticides and fertilizers, so they are common in agricultural areas (Pande et al., 1981; Kotangale et al., 1984).

How much spirulina should you 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.

How much spirulina should I take daily to lose weight?

As a whole, supplementing spirulina at 2–8 g/ day may improve lipid profiles, particularly by reducing TC, TG and LDL-c and improving HDL-c; improving apolipoprotein A1 and reducing apolipoprotein B, aiding weight loss and reducing BMI.

Does spirulina thicken hair?

5. Promotes hair growth. According to Simpson, “With 70% protein, fatty acids and iron, spirulina offers a synergy of nutrients needed to promote hair growth.” And one of the best ways to reap the benefits of spirulina’s hair growth capabilities is by ingesting supplements formulated with the blue-green algae.

Can Spirulina lower creatinine?

Effect of spirulina on cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction

On the other hand, pretreatment with Spirulina at a dose of 1000 mg/kg significantly improved the concentration of both creatinine and BUN as shown by a significant reduction in plasma creatinine and BUN concentration when compared with cisplatin-treated group.

How often should I take spirulina?

Experiments show that a daily intake of 2 to 5 g for adults (in 1, 2 or 3 times taken during the day) of spirulina has significantly positive effects on quality of life. For optimized effects, consumption should be daily. Regularity of intake is important.

Is one teaspoon of spirulina enough?

Spirulina is a nutritious supplement, but with a typical dose being 1-2 tsp it’s not going to meet all of your nutrition needs in one go. A teaspoon or two a day would help add iron to your diet if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet and have an inadequate intake. Like most supplements, it’s a bit on the pricey side.

How much Spirulina should you 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.

Does Spirulina cause kidney stones?

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.

What herbs are bad for kidneys?


Johns Wort, echinacea, ginkgo, garlic, ginseng, ginger, and blue cohosh

. Transplant patients are especially at risk, as any interaction between herbs and medications could potentially put them at risk for rejection or losing the kidney.



Use of Herbal Supplements in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Herbs that may be toxic to the kidneys
Horse chestnut Vandelia cordifolia

Why is spirulina bad for autoimmune disease?

Spirulina is rich in all amino acids, including phenylalanine. If you have an autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus, you should avoid spirulina. Theoretically, it could stimulate your immune system and make your condition worse.

What minerals are in spirulina?

The minerals of particular interest in spirulina are iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. The very high iron content should be doubly stressed because iron deficiencies (anaemias) are very widespread, particularly in pregnant women and children, and good sources in food are rare.

Does chlorella contain potassium?

In particular, Chlorella products contain substantial amounts of iron (104 mg/100 g dry weight) and potassium (986 mg/100 g dry weight), of which adequate intake prevents anemia [63] and hypertension [64], respectively.