Spirulina
Spirulina platensis
Sourced from China
Non-GMO
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a healthcare provider.
Studies show that supplementation with spirulina can improve cholesterol levels, lower fasting blood sugar, and lower diastolic blood pressure.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any side effects you experience.
FAQ
Spirulina is a form of blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) that grows naturally in lakes around the world. Spirulina is consumed as a food in some parts of the world and there are reports that it was even eaten by the Aztec civilization. Today, spirulina is used as a dietary supplement for astronauts on space missions due to its nutritional value. Spirulina is a good vegan source of protein and it is sometimes referred to as a superfood. It is possible to grow spirulina at home with the proper equipment.
Spirulina has a number of purported health benefits, including working as an appetite suppressant, treating fatigue, treating certain viruses, and stimulating the immune system. Most of these claims have little or no evidence to support them. However, supplementation with spirulina does have supporting research in a few cases. Some studies show that spirulina may be effective for weight loss, treating nasal congestion related to allergies, managing diabetes, and treating chronic hepatitis C (1). More studies need to be done before the full effects of supplementation with spirulina are understood.
One review of seven studies investigated the effects of spirulina supplementation on cholesterol. The review found that supplementation with spirulina reduced total cholesterol levels, reduced LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) levels, reduced triglyceride levels, and raised HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) levels (3).
A more recent review of studies also concluded that supplementation with spirulina could lead to reduced cholesterol, reduced fasting blood glucose (which can be used as a screening test for diabetes), and reduced diastolic blood pressure. Studies that were included in the review tested doses of spirulina ranging from 1–19 g per day and the studies lasted for anywhere between 2–48 weeks (2).
Nutritional supplements, like spirulina, are not reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. There is no established ideal dosage of spirulina and studies have tested a wide range of dosages for a wide range of time periods. Standard dosages available for purchase range from 1–8 g per day.
Spirulina is available as a supplement in either tablet or capsule form. It is also available as a powder and can be added to smoothies.
Ro obtains spirulina from a non-GMO source in China that grows Spirulina platensis. It is available as spirulina whole plant powder.
Ro offers spirulina in the following supplements:
Spirulina is one of seven main ingredients in the Heart Health supplement. The supplement consists of four tablets and two fish oil softgels that should be taken with water. Each individual tablet contains 0.5 g of spirulina, for a total daily dose of 2 g.
Other ingredients in the tablets include deodorized garlic bulb powder, magnesium citrate, Coenzyme Q10, menaquinone-7, cholecalciferol, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, stearic acid, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and pharmaceutical glaze (shellac, povidone). Ingredients in the fish oil soft gels include marine lipid concentrate, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, and mixed tocopherols. The softgels contain fish and should not be consumed by anybody with a fish allergy.