How to Take Spirulina for Better Effects

Since spirulina can have some side effects due to cleansing, such as headaches or digestive disorders, it’s important to start with low doses and increase them gradually.

There are many people who take spirulina as a nutritional supplement. In fact, many consider it a superfood that increases our intake of vitamins and minerals in a simple and natural way.

Continue reading to find out more about its properties and what it can do for your health, as well as when and how to take spirulina in the most effective way. You can’t miss it!

What is spirulina?

Spirulina is a blue-green alga you can find in low-salinity, alkaline, warm waters. Its name originates in its curious spiral-shaped structure. However, its scientific name is Arthrospira.

It’s one of the most complete and nutritious foods, which NASA demonstrated in 1988 by incorporating spirulina into the diet of their astronauts.

The Aztecs also consumed it to increase their strength when they had to tackle important physical tasks. Plus, it’s also an excellent supplement for athletes.

Nutritional values

Thanks to its excellent nutritional values, spirulina is very effective for treating all kinds of deficiencies as well as improving some disorders. Let’s take a look at its composition:

• First of all, it’s one of the best vegetable sources of proteins, which are of high biological value and are highly digestible. It’s about 65 to 70% protein.
• It’s rich in chlorophyll, the green pigment that stands out for its great detoxifying potential.
• Plus, it’s rich in vitamins B, C, D, and E.
• It contains minerals such as potassium, selenium, copper, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.
• In addition, it contains digestive enzymes.
• It stands out for its antioxidant properties (thanks to natural pigments): chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phycocyanins.
• Finally, 7% of its content is made up of essential fatty acids.

Health properties

Next, we’ll list the healing properties and the benefits that taking spirulina brings to our health.

• It helps with weight loss, so it’s recommended as part of a healthy weight-loss diet. This is due to the fact that it makes you feel sated as it activates your metabolism and burns fat.
• It reduces inflammation, improves joint pain, and prevents osteoporosis.
• Spirulina prevents and fights anemia without needing to take iron supplements. It also improves the immune system.
• It improves energy levels while reducing stress and fatigue. However, there are no conclusive studies in this regard.
• Improves concentration and memory.
• Its antioxidant properties help to prevent signs of aging and cellular damage caused by free radicals, stress, etc.

Likewise, a recent (2020) article on spirulina, published in Havana Magazine of Medical Sciences collected information from various studies that show its hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Regarding the latter, it stands out that in an in vitro and in vivo model, they observed that it suppresses tumor growth and increases interferon-gamma responses.

The study notes: “Spirulina possibly increased the activity of cellular antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (…) and reversed injuries, such as necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration, and hepatocyte injury.”

How and when to take spirulina

How and when to take spirulina depends on what you want to achieve:

• For weight loss, take spirulina half an hour before each meal with a glass of water. This way, the algae produces a natural satiating effect that helps you eat less without going hungry.
• If you want to gain weight, take spirulina right after your meal with your dessert.
• As a specific treatment for a disorder, take spirulina on an empty stomach half an hour before eating any food.
• As a nutritional supplementk Put it in green smoothies made with fruits and green leafy vegetables.

There are no academic studies to support these indications about intake schedules, so we recommend that you consult a specialist before you begin using this supplement.

We also recommend choosing high-quality spirulina that’s ideally organic to make sure it doesn’t contain harmful components since algae have a high absorption power.

Recommended dosage

You can take spirulina powder mixed with water or food or in capsules or tablets. The usual dose to start taking it is 500 mg – or 1 g – 1 to 3 times a day. However, you should consult a specialist before you begin.

It’s important to start with a low amount due to the high diuretic power of these algae, which could cause some side effects which cause discomfort (a headache, intestinal disorders, etc.). For this reason, we also recommend drinking a lot of water during the treatment, at least 6-8 glasses a day, out of your meals.