Spirulina belongs to the cyanobacteria, which are also colloquially known as blue-green algae. According to the oldest fossil finds to date, the existence of cyanobacteria can be proven as early as 3.5 billion years ago. Presumably, they were thus also already involved in the acid enrichment of the primordial atmosphere and have thereby influenced the present composition of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Mutable spirulina algae
Spirulina algae is thus not only very old, it can also change its appearance: Depending on the nutrient content and PH of the water, it takes on different shapes. Therefore, it is also unclear whether the 35 differentiated species, among which Spirulina platensis is the best known, do not all belong to the same species.
Spirulina algae are native to highly alkaline salt lakes. Being at home in subtropical to tropical waters, Spirulina is most common in Australia, Central America, Southeast Asia and Africa.
Spirulina: miracle algae or natural placebo?
Spirulina – similar to the freshwater alga Chlorella – is offered in the form of powder, tablets or capsules as a food supplement in health food stores and organic stores. In Mexico and parts of Africa, the spirulina algae has been used for consumption for centuries. In our country, spirulina first gained interest in the early 1980s, when spirulina pills were touted as a new, natural miracle cure for weight loss. However, clinical studies have not yet been able to prove conclusively that it is possible to lose weight with spirulina.
Similarly, other diseases and ailments for which spirulina algae are said to have a great effect with virtually no side effects. For example, spirulina is said to have a positive effect on allergies, cancer prevention and strengthening the immune system – however, experts remain cautious in their judgment, as in many respects further research is needed to fully understand the effects and side effects of spirulina.
Spirulina: effect
The fact is that spirulina algae have a tremendously high amount of protein. Also, Spirulina capsules and Spirulina tablets are usually advertised as vitamin donors, calcium donors, iron donors and magnesium donors, as they are rich in these ingredients.
However, it is often concealed that the Spirulina algae has a relatively high vitamin B 12 value, but only 20 percent of it can be utilized by the human body. A food supplement with Spirulina tablets leads in this regard therefore hardly to the desired positive effect. The research of side effects with Spirulina keeps as vague as that of the effects.
Spirulina: side effects
Although there are voices that say that side effects actually do not occur at all, since the Spirulina algae is already consumed and tested for centuries. Other sources, however, state possible allergic reactions.
It is certain that spirulina tablets, spirulina capsules and spirulina powder are partly enriched by chemical companies with ingredients such as biocomplexes, which are synthetically produced. If there is an incompatibility with the natural complexes, serious side effects can be the result. With all tablets, capsules and powder variations, one should therefore always pay attention to the ingredients.
Natural detoxification with spirulina
In addition to the generally advertised effect of Spirulina, the algae earns praise in other respects: due to its ingredients, algae are often used as a natural detoxifier. Alternative practitioners and also dentists therefore administer Spirulina capsules today, for example, in amalgam remediation. This is because spirulina absorbs heavy metals and is particularly good at absorbing mercury – a fact that, on the other hand, can again lead to undesirable side effects, because if the body of water from which it was harvested contains elevated levels of mercury, lead or cadmium, its consumption can cause physical stress.
Spirulina algae can also have a mitigating effect on the side effects associated with body detoxification. In this case, a combination of the algae chlorella and spirulina is usually recommended.
